EDTA Amino Acid

EDTA, an abbreviated form of Ethylene-Diamine-Tetra-Acetic Acid, refers to amino acid complex. It is also known as artificial amino acid. EDTA amino acid is found in different skin and body care products and food products as well. Commonly it is available in three types – disodium calcium EDTA, disodium dihydrogen EDTA and tetrasodium EDTA.

EDTA Amino Acid and Possible Treatments

EDTA amino acid was first synthesized in 1940 for treating the people suffering from heavy metal poisoning. It is also an important component during hypercalcemia emergency treatment as well as management of ventricular arrhythmias as linked with digitalis toxicity. As indicted in the health research study conducted by National Research Council, EDTA is an effective component in treating occlusive vascular disorders resulting from arteriosclerosis.

Use of EDTA Amino Acid as a Food Preservative

As approved by FDA, EDTA is used as a safe food preservative and the average count is 100-300 parts/million. EDTA offers several benefits including prevention in potato discoloration, prevention of flavor change, inhibition of the thickening of condensed milk, preservation of canned legume, and promotion of flavor retention and so on.

Use of EDTA Amino Acid as Pharmaceuticals and Household products

EDTA amino acid is a common ingredient in many detergents, shampoos, soaps, chemical sprays, oil emulsions, pharmaceutical products, and many others. In addition, it holds an active part in inhibiting bleaching agent from not being active prior to their submerging into the water. EDTA is also used as a substitute of phosphate compound in order to decrease the magnesium and calcium compound in water.

Function of EDTA

As mentioned above, EDTA is referred to as an artificial amino acid chelating agent. EDTA binds well with toxic substances such as mercury, aluminum, lead and cadmium. When EDTA interacts with toxic substances, the toxic substances get confiscated and then come out from the body as wastages. For example, EDTA meets lead or calcium within the body system and produces a solid compound which is actually sent out from the body system as bodily wastages. So effectively EDTA aids in protecting the body from metal toxicity. This is the function that defines the success of chelation therapy.