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Chelation Series, Part 9: Chelation Dosing 101: Timing, Duration, Frequency & The Full Cofactor Blueprint

Updated: 2 hours ago

This article is part of the Chelation Education Series. For an overview and full list of articles, visit the Chelation page.



If you’ve made it to Part 9, you already understand something most practitioners never do:Chelation is a science, not a vibe.It is precise, repetitive, slow, regulated, and absolutely unforgiving when done incorrectly.


This post is your roadmap — the rules, the timing, the cofactors, the pacing — but before we go any further, I need to say this clearly:


⚠️ Before You Chelate: Read The Mercury Detoxification Manual


This blog post is thorough, but it is NOT a replacement for the book.

Cutler’s method has nuances that protect your brain, nerves, and adrenal system.You deserve the full context before pulling metals out of deep tissues.

Now, let’s get into the blueprint.


🧠 Why Timing Matters More Than Anything Else


Every chelator has a half-life:

  • ALA → ~3 hours

  • DMSA → ~3–4 hours

  • DMPS → ~6–8 hours


Miss a dose, delay a dose, or stop early and the chelator level drops too low — causing the metals to unbind and redeposit into vulnerable tissues.


That’s redistribution.And heavy metal redistribution is what ruins health.


⭐ Chelation only works when doses are taken on a strict schedule—day and night—without exceptions.


If you miss a dose? Round over. Stop immediately.

This isn’t punishment.It’s pharmacology.


⏱ Chelator Dosing Rules: The Non-Negotiables


ALA (Alpha-Lipoic Acid): Every 3 Hours

✔ Only chelator that removes brain mercury✔ Must NOT be used with amalgams✔ Must be taken around the clock

Typical starting dose: 3–12.5 mg Sensitive individuals may need micro-doses.


DMSA: Every 3–4 Hours

✔ Excellent for beginners✔ Clears blood mercury and lead✔ Does NOT enter the brain

Typical starting dose: 12.5 mg or lower.


DMPS: Every 6–8 Hours

✔ Strong affinity for body mercury✔ Great for sulfur-tolerant individuals✔ Does NOT cross the BBB

Typical starting dose: 5–10 mg.


⏳ How Long Should a Round Last?


⭐ 3–7 days per round


Shorter is safer for beginners.Longer rounds are for people who are stable, consistent, and well mineralized.

Never do 1–2 dose “mini rounds.”That’s redistribution in disguise.


🔄 How Long Should You Rest Between Rounds?


⭐ At least the same length as the round.


3-day round → 3 days off5-day round → 5 days off

Your body needs recovery days just as much as chelation days.


⭐ How Long Does Chelation Take? (The Truth No One Likes Hearing)


If you want quick, cute, Instagram-friendly detox… this isn’t it.

Chelator dosages are increased gradually between rounds, but only if side effects remain low and your system stays stable.


👉 Real chelation takes 6 months to 2 years for most people.

This isn’t because it’s “not working.” It’s because mercury sits in:

  • mitochondria

  • nerves

  • enzymes

  • connective tissue

  • the brain

…and all of those take time to reach and time to clear.


Chelation works by gradually lowering the total burden.There is no fast version that is also safe.


⭐ And Yes — You Must Keep Going Even After You Feel Better


This is the #1 reason people relapse:

They feel better→ assume mercury is gone→ quit at halftime→ symptoms return months later.


Feeling better early in the process means:✔ mercury interference is dropping❌ mercury is not gone

If you stop too early, the remaining mercury reclaims the territory you just fought to repair.


Stay the course.Your future self will thank you.


📉 When to Lower Your Dose or Shorten Rounds


If you experience:

  • insomnia

  • emotional volatility

  • head pressure

  • nerve zaps

  • irritability

  • adrenal crashes

  • hot/cold intolerance

  • sensitivity spikes


This is dose too high, timing too loose, or minerals too low.


Adjust — don’t quit.


📉When to Raise Your Dose or Lengthen Rounds


If your rounds are consistently smooth — meaning minimal side effects, stable energy, and solid cofactor support — you can begin increasing your chelator dose slowly after several well-tolerated cycles.The goal isn’t speed; it’s building tolerance and capacity so you can safely chelate more metal over time without overwhelming your system.


🧬 The Full Cofactor Blueprint


Chelation without cofactors is like running a marathon on no food and no sleep.Your system needs fuel, buffering, and mineral stability.


Non-Negotiable Foundation Cofactors


1. Magnesium -Calms nerves, regulates electrical signaling, prevents overstimulation.

2. Selenium -Neutralizes mercury into HgSe; reduces spillover.

3. Vitamin C -Supports detox and antioxidant pathways.

4. Copper / Zinc in Balance- Too much zinc suppresses copper → poor selenium utilization → “selenium intolerance.”

5. Iodine -Essential for healthy thyroid hormone signaling during detox, especially when mercury is involved.


Optional Cofactors - Supporting Sulfur, Methylation & Energy Pathways


Molybdenum - Prevents sulfur headaches and supports ALA tolerance.

Adrenal Cortex (not Medulla) - Stabilizes cortisol output so chelation doesn’t wipe you out.

Thiamine (B1) -Restores nerve metabolism mercury disrupts.

Methlycobalamin (B12) - Supports myelin, nerve repair, and detox resilience.

Taurine -Improves bile flow (your metal exit route).

Glycine -Boosts glutathione gently without mobilizing metals.

Electrolytes (Potassium & Sodium) - Adrenal stability = detox capacity.

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) or Fatty15 -Reduces neuroinflammation, stabilizes membranes, supports mood, and improves mitochondrial resilience. Helps buffer the “round hangover” effect.

Vitamin E (Tocotrienols) -Protects cell membranes from oxidative stress during rounds. Chelation stirs up oxidative activity — vitamin E keeps that controlled.

Vitamin A - Supports mucosal immunity and cell membrane integrity. (Usually covered if taking cod liver oil.)

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) - Strengthens cell membranes and supports bile flow — huge for liver support during detox.


🧩 The Most Important Rule of All


⭐ **Start low. Go slow. Stay consistent.


Build the terrain BEFORE pulling metals.**

Your nervous system is precious.Treat it accordingly.


⚠️ Final Warning: Chelation Done Wrong Can Cause Long-Term Damage


This is not fear-mongering — it's reality.


Chelation done incorrectly can lead to:

  • brain fog

  • worsening neuropathy

  • adrenal crashes

  • sulfur intolerance

  • chronic fatigue

  • redistribution into the brain

  • long-term sensitivity


This is why The Mercury Detoxification Manual is required reading.


⭐ Want Personalized Guidance?


Chelation is NOT one-size-fits-all.Your mineral status determines your tolerance, dose, timing, and pacing.


👉 Schedule an OligoScan with me for personalized chelation strategy based on your actual mineral profile.https://www.vigeohealth.net/service-page/oligoscan-follow-up-consult


Want to Learn More?


For deep dives into mercury’s effects on nerves and enzymes:

Mercury Poisoning — Hammond

The Mercury Detoxification Manual — Cutler & Lee

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