26SW09 - Heavy Metal Exposure and Using Botanicals and Pharmaceutical Chelation

Speaker: Marianne Marchese, ND

This lecture examines clinical assessment and treatment strategies for heavy metal exposure using naturopathic medicine principles, with an emphasis on botanical, nutritional, and pharmaceutical interventions. Participants will review evidence-informed botanicals such as Coriandrum sativum, Chlorella vulgaris, Allium sativum, Silybum marianum, and Curcuma longa for supporting biotransformation, antioxidant defense, and gentle metal mobilization. A 30-minute pharmacology-focused section will cover oral and intravenous chelation therapies, including pharmaceutical DMSA, with discussion of indications, safety considerations, and clinical decision-making. Two case studies will be presented—one utilizing botanicals and nutrients without chelation and one using oral DMSA—to illustrate multiple effective pathways for metal elimination, alongside a review of laboratory testing options for assessing heavy metal burden.

Related product: The PowerPoint for this recording is available here: 2026 Southwest Conference Book Download (PDF)