03-03-2006, 09:33 PM
A decades-old treatment commonly used for lead poisoning may help autistic children.
But using the chelation treatments has not come without controversy.
The treatment involves a sulfur-based skin cream that doctors said roots out toxins, like mercury, from the body.
"The sulfur grabs onto the mercury like a magnet. So, our body can excrete it where it would never have the ability to do that on its own without something like this," said Dr. Phil DeMio, a doctor who prescribes chelation for autism.
NBC News reported researchers have not reached a consensus about what causes autism and most doctors see no place for chelation in dealing with it.
Two years ago, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention commissioned a report that found no evidence of a link between mercury and autism.
The federal Food and Drug Administration warns pregnant women to avoid certain fish due to mercury's effects on children. The FDA also had a mercury ingredient removed from most vaccines.
"As of now, mercury is not a cause of autism based on the studies we know now, and chelation is not an acceptable form of treatment for autism," said Dr. Bill Goldman, a pediatrician.
Chelation is FDA approved, but only to treat lead poisoning. Federal researchers are looking into whether it can help heart patients by draining calcium from clogged arteries.
From the wbalchannel.com
But using the chelation treatments has not come without controversy.
The treatment involves a sulfur-based skin cream that doctors said roots out toxins, like mercury, from the body.
"The sulfur grabs onto the mercury like a magnet. So, our body can excrete it where it would never have the ability to do that on its own without something like this," said Dr. Phil DeMio, a doctor who prescribes chelation for autism.
NBC News reported researchers have not reached a consensus about what causes autism and most doctors see no place for chelation in dealing with it.
Two years ago, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention commissioned a report that found no evidence of a link between mercury and autism.
The federal Food and Drug Administration warns pregnant women to avoid certain fish due to mercury's effects on children. The FDA also had a mercury ingredient removed from most vaccines.
"As of now, mercury is not a cause of autism based on the studies we know now, and chelation is not an acceptable form of treatment for autism," said Dr. Bill Goldman, a pediatrician.
Chelation is FDA approved, but only to treat lead poisoning. Federal researchers are looking into whether it can help heart patients by draining calcium from clogged arteries.
From the wbalchannel.com