chelation

American  

[kee-ley-shuhn] / kiˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

1. Chemistry. the process of chelating.

2. Medicine/Medical.

   1. a method of removing certain heavy metals from the bloodstream, used especially in treating lead or mercury poisoning.

   2. a controversial treatment for arteriosclerosis that attempts to remove calcium deposits from the inner walls of the coronary arteries.

---

chelation British  

/ ˈkiːleɪʃən /

noun

1. chem the process by which a chelate is formed

2. animal husbandry the process by which trace elements in an animal's feed are bonded to amino acids, ensuring their absorption into the animal's body

3. geology the chemical removal of metallic ions in a mineral or rock by weathering

---

chelation Scientific  

/ kĭ-lā′shən /

1. The combination of a metal ion with a chemical compound to form a ring. Chelation is used in the industrial separation and extraction of metals and to treat metal poisoning.

---

Etymology

Origin of chelation

First recorded in 1930–35; chelate + -ion

Example Sentences

Some parents of children with autism, desperate for a remedy, have long reached for dubious and at times dangerous panaceas, including hyperbaric oxygen chambers and chelation therapy, used for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning.

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2025

One avenue is working on the chemistry of the chelation compound in anticipation of eventually making sure it is safe to be given to humans.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2024

Bluebird has rationalized the high price of Zynteglo by referring to the lifetime cost of transfusions and chelation therapy, which the company says can run as high as $6.4 million.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2022

However, chelation therapies can disrupt the normal concentration of ions in the body, leading to serious side effects, so researchers are searching for new chelation drugs.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

He had even tried intravenous chelation therapy and colonics.

From How and When to Be Your Own Doctor by Solomon, Steve