chelation therapy
noun
: the use of a chelator (such as EDTA) to bind with a metal (such as lead or iron) in the body to form a chelate so that the metal loses its chemical effect (such as toxicity or physiological activity)
Examples of chelation therapy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kennedy recently said on a podcast that people should have access to controversial alternative therapies like stem cells and chelation therapy to remove heavy metals from the body.
—
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 9 June 2025
That includes testing kids’ blood lead levels, treating lead poisoning with chelation therapy (which removes heavy metals from the bloodstream) and eliminating exposures in the home by replacing windows and doors.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 22 May 2025
The vapors escaped and sent several firefighters to the hospital for chelation therapy.
—Sallie Tisdale, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
In 2005 a five-year-old autistic child died of a heart attack as a result of chelation therapy.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024
Lead screenings are now recommended for all young children, with treatment such as chelation therapy available to remove the poison if levels are high.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024
Can chelation therapy treat autism? Chronic and acute poisoning with toxic elements like arsenic, uranium, mercury, and lead is sometimes treated with chelation therapy.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024
Despite a proliferation of claims, there is no evidence that chelation therapy treats autism, says Stephen James, a researcher at the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024
The agency has approved chelation therapy for particular uses, like treating lead poisoning, but has warned about companies marketing unapproved, over-the-counter versions.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 9 June 2025
That includes testing kids’ blood lead levels, treating lead poisoning with chelation therapy (which removes heavy metals from the bloodstream) and eliminating exposures in the home by replacing windows and doors.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 22 May 2025
The vapors escaped and sent several firefighters to the hospital for chelation therapy.
—Sallie Tisdale, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
In 2005 a five-year-old autistic child died of a heart attack as a result of chelation therapy.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024
Lead screenings are now recommended for all young children, with treatment such as chelation therapy available to remove the poison if levels are high.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024
Can chelation therapy treat autism? Chronic and acute poisoning with toxic elements like arsenic, uranium, mercury, and lead is sometimes treated with chelation therapy.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024
Despite a proliferation of claims, there is no evidence that chelation therapy treats autism, says Stephen James, a researcher at the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024
The agency has approved chelation therapy for particular uses, like treating lead poisoning, but has warned about companies marketing unapproved, over-the-counter versions.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Chelation therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chelation%20therapy. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share