Chelation therapy is a standard therapy for metal poisoning and is often used as a complementary detoxification therapy in a Lyme disease treatment protocol if testing reveals metal toxicity or there’s a history of environmental exposure. Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, aluminum, arsenic, and nickel are widely used in industry, agriculture, and technology. They contaminate the air, soil, and water and build up in our body after inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Heavy metal toxicity can lead to inflammation, accumulation of plaque in the blood vessels, immune system dysregulation, mitochondrial and endothelial cell dysfunction, and inability of the body to fight infection. While the exact path of injury is unknown, metals may cause serious system-wide health problems through altered gene expression.[1]  Chelation binds and removes toxic metals that have accumulated in the tissues with chemical or herbal chelators. Like nutrient and glutathione therapy, chelators can be orally or intravenously administered. Intravenous calcium EDTA is one of the most effective. DMSA, cilantro, and chlorella are common oral chelating agents but are rarely as effective as IV chelation therapy. Once a chelator is injected into the bloodstream, it circulates and binds to heavy metals. The toxic metals are compiled into a compound that your body filters through your kidneys and releases with urine or a bowel movement. With proper oversight and diagnostics, chelation is incredibly effective at reversing certain functional changes caused by Lyme disease infection. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6160949/