What is “clathration?” What are the ingredients in PCA-Rx? [a product that claims it performs “clathration”] and what might they do for heavy metal detoxification?

(See Summary of my impression of ingredients at bottom of document)

(See My Background at bottom of document)

Clathration and PCA-Rx Overview:

This word "clathration" appears to be the application of a scientific term to make the product sound like it does what it is supposed to do. I could find no reason to think that "clathration" as it is defined actually happens just because you take PCA-Rx. Wikipedia does not have “clathration”. Nor does Websters. Google on "clathration" yields four types of documents. 1) Extremely technical chemistry papers on quite esoteric and specific chemistry topics having nothing to do with the human body, 2) forum entries from people wanting information about heavy metal detoxing wondering what this "clathration" vs. “chelation” is all about, 3) some people saying it really helped them or their loved ones, 4) websites, forum entries and articles touting the benefits of clathration and how much of a miracle it is. FYI: there were more of #4 than any others. To categorize everything I saw in #4 above, it appears that this information is presented by the people selling “clathration” products, those who stand to gain by its sales, or those just passing on what they think or hope must be a good thing but have not actually used it. Additionally, I saw nothing that lead me to believe that there is any information or research about “clathration” in the human body (or any animal body), nor any way to tell if “clathration” ever actually occurs in the human body during any process, especially just because you take this substance.

I did thorough Google research on each of the ingredients in the product which is shown below. There are some that seem to be thrown in there or given fancy names just to make the ingredient list appear "robust" - or their names appear to be misnomers of other substances. A couple of ingredients show up in Google ONLY on a handful of websites selling metal detox formulas for over $50 per ounce, of which there are two primary ones and a few re-selling the product.

However, there are a number of individual substances in PCA-Rx that are good and probably quite good for you. Therefore - the product may yield benefits for you or those who take it. Many of these good ingredients have research with positive results or good anecdotal successes. Additionally, many outsiders (those probably not in a position to make money from its sales) say through forums that either themselves or those who have taken it have had good to excellent results. [Lets hope that those are real people and not fabricated identities created by those selling the product.]

My thoughts are that some peoples bodies probably respond well to the beneficial ingredients in PCA-Rx and others do not. Many of the elemental forms of these natural ingredients are already being promoted by integrative medicine as providing benefits to metal detoxing. Each person probably has a different combination of inherent physiological weaknesses contributing to their toxic reaction, AND a different set or amount of toxic substances, each of which contributes to one protocol working great for person A but failing to have any effect for person B. Therefore, person B needs to try something else - or - person B didn’t actually follow all of person A’s protocol successfully - given that it can be difficult or impossible to actually duplicate all of the healing actions that someone else is doing, either because they left something significant out in their communication, or you don’t actually do everything they did.

So, if you want to pay that much $$$ for the substance, and it works for you, then great!

However, it appears that all of the ingredients are naturally and readily available from various sources and then just mixed together and sold in this concoction with a fancy label and some extremely fancy and dubious claims at an extremely high price (and probably a handsome profit, too).

If it were me, I’d seek out some of the individual ingredients that appear to have some success with detoxification behind them and take those. Additionally, I’d spend my time and money getting tests to evaluate my heavy metal output and contents and get help from a wide variety of sources. If that didn’t work and I was really desperate, I’d try their formula.

ShayDay.
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Another website that sells something similar for just as much money:
http://bodyhealth.com/html/metalfree/characteristics_micro.asp - about the same price - similar ingredients.

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PCA-Rx ingredients on the website:

http://ssl.maxamlabs.com/MAXAM_ASP_ViewProduct.asp?ProductINDX=47

Purified Water, Micro-Fermented Peptides Of Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Acetylcysteine, Glutathione, Peptidylgluconase, Hyaluronic Acid, Blue-Green Algae Extracts, Chlorella, Phytoplankton, Multiple Beneficial Flora Ferments Including: Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Acidophilus Salivarus, Streptococcus Thermophilus, Hydrated Colloidal Silica, Algenic, Fulvic, Ferulic And Lipoic Acids; All In A Cultured Medium Of Oligopolypeptides, Glycoproteins, Phospholipides, Ionic Sea Minerals, Amino Acid Complexes, Vitamins And Minerals.

Below, each ingredient is described and/or links are included that have a lot more information about them.

Micro-Fermented Peptides Of Glutamic Acid (Quite a fancy name for glutamic acid - it appears to just describe how it is made.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutamic_Acid
ALSO - looks like its a precursor to Mono-Sodium-Glutamat (Natrium Glutamat) manufacturing to me - check out #3 for how to get glutamic acid: http://www.truthinlabeling.org/HowIsItManufactured.html - excerpt is below:

"Monosodium glutamate can generally be produced by three methods: (1) hydrolysis of proteins such as gluten or proteins present in Sugar beet wastes, (2) synthesis, and (3) microbial fermentation. In the hydrolysis method, the protein is hydrolyzed with a strong mineral acid to free amino acids, and the glutamic acid is then separated from the mixture, purified, and converted to its monosodium salt, [monosodium glutamate]. This used to be the major method of [monosodium glutamate] manufacture. Currently most of the world production of [monosodium glutamate] is by bacterial fermentation. In this method bacteria (especially strains of Micrococcus glutamicus) are grown aerobically in a liquid nutrient medium containing a carbon source (e.g., dextrose or citrate), a nitrogen source such as ammonium ions or urea, and mineral ions and growth factors. The bacteria selected for this process have the ability to excrete glutamic acid they synthesize outside of their cell membrane into the medium and accumulate there. The glutamic acid is separated from the fermentation broth by filtration, concentration, acidification, and crystallization, followed by conversion to its monosodium salt [monosodium glutamate]." (Leung, A. and Foster, S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs , and Cosmetics. New York: Wiley, 1996. pp 373-375.)

Given this is the first ingredient - I didn’t see anything that indicated it was really great for heavy metal detoxing.

FYI: you can get it for $5.40 for a ½ cup (4 oz) bag here: http://www.naturalhealthsupply.com/products/glutamic-acid.html


Glycine, nonessential amino acid,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycine
lots of benefits listed here:
http://www.vitaminstuff.com/amino-acid-glycine.html
FYI: get 1500mg tablets of glycine for $4.48 at: http://www.allstarhealth.com/f/country_life-glycine.htm



Acetylcysteine, is a pharmacological agent used mainly as a mucolytic (mucous thining) and in the management of paracetamol overdose. Benefits listed here - includes some "toxic scavaging" properties. By injection must have a perscription - over the counter is available for ingestion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcysteine

Good info on the drug and possible interactions with other drugs: http://www.drugstore.com/pharmacy/prices/drugprice.asp?ndc=00517760425&trx=1Z...

Cost for a 4ml vial $7.99 - http://www.drugstore.com/pharmacy/prices/drugprice.asp?ndc=00517760425&trx=1Z...


Glutathione, an antioxidant, protects cells from toxins such as free radicals [1].
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutathione
benefits here:
http://www.evolutionhealth.com/WheyProtien/Glutathione-benefits.htm

FYI: buy 50mg tabs for $5.09: http://vitanetonline.com/description/SN1304/vitamins/Glutathione-Complex-50-mg/

Peptidylgluconase, Google ONLY has this listed in a handful of website - ALL of them selling heavy metal detox forumlas. This autism-Hg forum had one person claim it does nothing:
http://onibasu.com/archives/am/22672.html . From Google - I have to conclude it doesn't really exist by that name. It is probably beta-glucanase - http://www.answers.com/topic/beta-glucanase


Hyaluronic Acid, primary component of joint lubrication fluid - currently being injected into joints for osteoarthritis which is FDA approved. http://uconnsportsmed.uchc.edu/patientinfo/whathurts/treatment/hyaluronic_aci... Western Medicine says No proven benefit from ingestion. Used in skin healing, too. Japanese think it helps people live longer: http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-4-2004-62496.asp Also called "fountain of youth" by website selling it: http://www.hyaluronic-acid-information.org/

More expensive than the stuff above: 30ml (1 oz) for $31.95: http://www.primev.com/hyaluronic_acid.htm#Hyaluronic


Blue-Green Algae Extracts, very few sell the extract. It's here for $22.50: http://store.hippocratesinst.org/LifeGive-Phycomin-br-Blue-Green-Algae-Extrac... . Also thorough list of research papers showing benefits: http://www.appliedhealth.com/Products/Foundation/Blue%11Green-Algae-as-an-Imm...



Chlorella,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorella#endnote_becker_a Lots of info already out on this one for heavy metal detox - just Google. 30 tablets - $29.95 at: http://www.vitaminlab.com/product.cfm?selected_items=31201&CHLORELLA. Supposedly this is high in iron

Phytoplankton, lots and lots and lots of different kinds. Google "buy food grade phytoplankton" gets you lots of links. Who knows what's here.




So, the first three of this section are all types of Flora, the next are different compounds - what are they doing in the "Flora Ferments"? Is that a typo that they grouped all of those together?

Multiple Beneficial Flora Ferments Including: Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Acidophilus Salivarus, Streptococcus Thermophilus, All good flora - Googled on them and they are good stuff.

Hydrated Colloidal Silica: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uid... - It's commercial name is: Cab-O-Sil Google that for info.

Algenic acid: A common food additive (also spelled Aginic Acid). Buy it in bulk from China: http://bms.en.alibaba.com/product/50065358/50296090/Food_Additives/Alginic_Ac... Or $52.56 per .8 oz here: http://www.fludan.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=65 .

From some website: The third class of phycolloids are the algins or algenic acids. Algins is a major constituent of all brown algae. Chemically it is a polymer of d-mannuronic and I- guluronic acids. There are some 897 known chemical members of this family. Alginic acids are commercially important in the production of rubber and textiles. Before World War II, Japan was the only major producer of algenic acid. During the war, the California algenic acid industry was made. The salts of algins produce a clear, tough film which is used extensively as thickeners, coagulants, or flocculants in many foods. Examples include soups, mayonnaise, sauces, and sausage casings (McCay, 1987). There are over 30 species of brown algae harvested today; most commercially important algins come from the giant kelp, Macrocystis and Nerocystis. These species are harvested mechanically by a kind of "underwater hay bailer".

Fulvic acid: supposed to be good stuff. buy it many places. Sells for less than $1 per oz. at: http://www.vitalearth.org/fulvic_minerals.htm just Google it.

http://www.advancedbio.com/ssfulvic.htm excerpt here: [this I think says why the raw minerals found in the sea or elsewhere cannot be used by us - but once taken up by a plant are bio-available]

Fulvic Acid and Organic Transmutation

The absorption factor of ionic minerals greatly exceeds traditional tablet supplements. This is one of their strongest advantages. However, those who take plant-derived colloidal minerals are often concerned by the fact that, when the manufacturers list the contents of the supplement, the names of heavy metals appear on the label. While this alarms many people, it shouldn’t. The fact is that true organic, plant-derived minerals do not contain heavy metals.

Organic, plant-derived minerals are able to be safely used by your body because of the fact that nature has acted upon them and transformed them into organic material rather than allowing them to remain in their elemental form. This is called organic transmutation.

A driving force behind this miraculous transformation is fulvic acid. The reason that labels list ‘heavy metals’ is that even once elemental minerals are transformed and stored within plants, they retain their original chemical names. Again, once an elemental mineral is reacted on by fulvic acid and photosynthesis, it is changed from inorganic to organic. This process is often called transmutation. As we read in ‘Biological Transmutations,’ fulvic acid can actually transmutate magnesium and vegetal silica into a form of calcium that can be used by humans. The elemental vs. organic aspect of colloidal minerals is discussed further in Issue #305.

Fulvic acid is present in every true plant-derived, organic mineral. The same cannot be said for elemental minerals which are derived from rocks, shells, and certain clays. While elemental mineral supplements may claim to have a wide range of minerals, they cannot compare to the safety and availability of plant-derived substances. It should be noted that fulvic acid itself can contain as many as 60 different mineral compounds – this is above and beyond any other source of minerals with which it is joined.

As is discussed in "The Value of Organic, Plant-Derived Minerals" (Issue #305), when positively charged minerals are absorbed by plants, their bioelectrical polarity is changed to a negative charge. Whenever normally toxic minerals, such as iodine, are absorbed and transformed by plants, they become non-toxic. It may be the chelation factor that accounts for the ability of fulvic acid to neutralize the toxicity of heavy metals such as lead. The actual mechanism that fulvic acid uses to chelate minerals has yet to be ascertained. Although we know that this neutralization happens, the mechanics of the process are still one of nature’s secrets – a secret that we benefit from.


Ferulic Acid: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferulic_acid - supposed to be good stuff. Why is it so low on the list. Research: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uid... Also sold here - check out the claims for how it helps: http://www.seeknatural.co.uk/product-1254.html


Lipoic Acids: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipoic_acid - actually says in there: "On account of its disulfide group, lipoic acid can be used to chelate mercury from those suffering from mercury intoxications. It is particularly suited to this purpose as it can penetrate both the blood-brain barrier and the cell membrane" WHY IS IT SO LOW IN THE LIST FOR THIS STUFF?


Oligopolypeptides: another made up word again: Google ONLY has this listed in a handful of website - ALL of them selling heavy metal detox forumlas. Looks like this webpage shows that this is a fancy word for regular components of amino acids.


Glycoproteins - a generic term for lots of different substances - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycoprotein

Phospholipides: - very little info on this one.....it is a group of substances - but which one?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phospholipid -> Phospholipids -> these are substances - but a generic term for lots of different kinds - and they make up our bodies. There is a paper called: The role of phospholipides in the metabolism of amino acids. II. The incorporation of leucine and tyrosine in liver phospholipides.

Ionic Sea Minerals - could just be sea water, really.

Amino Acid Complexes - could be lots of things - readily available to buy - seems like every health related website sells them - just Google.

Vitamins - which ones?

Minerals - which ones?

Summary of my impression of ingredients: Some are good, some are made up, some are misleading, some are too vague, some seem senseless - why have them in there. Why are the cheaper ones higher up in the ingredient list and the ones that are supposed to be good for heavy metal detoxing (and more expensive) farther down? There is nothing magical about these ingredients, in my opinion, that justifies them being labeled as able to cause “clathration.” They might - and hopefully - assist the body’s natural toxic release system, but why not buy them individually.

My Background
I am a college educated professional who has done tons of research using Google and has a strong technical background. I’ve had college level chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics courses. I’m very proactive about learning and applying the benefits of integrative medicine for myself and my family. I routinely research what my doctor recommends on the Internet using Google and evaluate the possible effectiveness of natural healing remedies over Western Medical approaches (ie: taking a synthesized drug vs. integrated approaches using natural methods).

Because my wife is trying to learn about possible mercury toxicity issues from her mercury fillings in her mouth, I performed several hours of researched concerning “clathration” and the product: PCA-Rx from Maxam Nutraceutics. I also have a friend with an autistic son who wants to try clathration. Above are my notes that I took from my Google research and ideas about “clathration” and the ingredients found in PCA-Rx.

My hope is that I can save someone who is trying to answer the questions above some time and effort, as well as cast a little realism on an extremely hyped product and idea.

ShayDay.


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