Most of the agents that have been used in general chelation therapy were first discovered for use as medicine because of exposure to poisonous gas during World War I. There have been a variety of agents that have been used since then, and many of them are able to remove different types of metals from the body. The main difference between oral chelation therapy and EDTA chelation therapy are the agents that are used, the conditions being treated, and the method used to administer the agents. Additionally, oral chelation therapy allows individuals to take pills or other alternatives in order to ingest the agents by mouth, whereas EDTA chelation is intravenous.

Generally, there is some controversy about chelation therapy because some people are unsure of whether or not it can actually produce results. Even though there are those who claim that using the therapy is dangerous, many claim that they have had positive results also. Results can also depend on what type of health status the individual currently has and the amount of therapy that they are willing to try. Many older people are interested in EDTA chelation therapy because it is said to reduce some of the signs and symptoms associated with aging.

Since most of the claims associated with chelation therapy cannot be proved, the FTC has pushed for most organizations and administrations to stop referring to it as a possible treatment for conditions such as heart disease. Generally, the statements regarding chelation therapy cannot be proven because there has not been enough studies dedicated to the process itself. Yet, this does not prevent medical practices and doctors from using chelation therapy for treating various conditions. 

Commonly, you will not find mainstream doctors using this form of therapy to treat health conditions, but many private practices do offer it. There is controversy regarding if doctors should be allowed to offer the treatment to their patients. Those who have had positive results will continue to support the treatment overall. Unless someone is able to truly disprove the claims associated with chelation therapy, it is likely that it will continue to be an option.

Alternatively, there are mainstream doctors that can offer chelation, but they will also remind their patients that they are not certain about whether these treatments will work. Patients who are curious about the procedure can ask their doctor and gain more insight into whether or not the doctor would consider offering it in the future. Many doctors have only expressed using the therapy in situations where previous treatments have not worked for their patients.

Overall, oral chelation therapy may be able to produce ideal results, depending on what your current health condition is. Some people have had a great amount of benefit from trying out these therapies regularly. Those who are interested in trying this type of therapy should consider discussing options with their doctor to determine if it is right for them or not.