Abstract

Increasing evidence indicates that heavy metal overload can cause or contribute to a variety of diseases and chronic illnesses. Chelation therapy has been widely accepted as effective treatment for heavy metal poisoning, accumulation of iron and copper in the body, etc. However, its applications in treatments for disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, neurodegenerative disease and cancer have long been mired in controversy; and exaggerated, poorly controlled chelation therapy treatments that have failed to show noticeable efficacy have also aroused skepticism. The vague recognition of the relation between heavy metal overload and disorders, the slow progress of chelation agent development, the intrinsic obstacles of the chemical, biological and clinical restrictions and the scarce involvement of pharmaceutical industries have constrained the advance of chelation therapy from moving forward to a new level. However, new chelation agent development and recent advances of technology such as MRI have significantly promoted the chelation therapy study. Promising results have been reported in a growing number. Chelation therapy is approaching a turning point that should lead to rapid progress and regain public confidence. The inauguration of the Journal of Heavy Metal and Chelation Therapy would provide an appropriate platform to promote the advance of chelation therapy.