One of the ways that heavy metals may result in accelerated atherosclerosis is by oxidation of cholesterol in developing atherosclerotic placques into cholesterol oxidation products with vitamin-D like activity. These vitamin-D like substances then increase the deposition of calcium into the atherosclerotic placques. However, there are other more effective chelating agents. For example, EDTA cannot chelate aluminum, a powerful free radical oxidation catalyst. Malic acid, found in apples and part of the body's Krebs cycle that generates ATP, can remove aluminum from the brain and body.
Aspartic acid is an effective chelator of cadmium.
Cysteine and vitamin C are effective chelators for virtually all heavy metals.