Which Chelator Binds Which Metal?

Why guessing with detox keeps people stuck.

If you’ve spent any time in detox communities, you’ve probably noticed that people are generally aware that different chelators bind different metals.

The real problem isn’t a lack of information — it’s that the information is fragmented, inconsistent, and rarely shows how strongly each chelator binds relative to the others.

Without that context, it’s difficult to understand why one protocol feels effective while another quietly stalls.

Why binding strength matters

Knowing that a chelator can bind a metal is not the same as knowing how well it does so.

Some compounds have a strong affinity for a specific metal and only weak interaction with others. Some overlap. Some are broad but shallow. Others are narrow but powerful.

When binding strength isn’t clearly laid out, detox decisions end up being made in isolation rather than in relation to the bigger picture.

Seeing the patterns side-by-side

To bring that missing layer into focus, I created a free set of Heavy Metal Chelator Affinity Charts that map the relative binding strengths of five commonly used chelators — DMSA, DMPS, EDTA, ALA, and cilantro — across the most common toxic metals.

They’re designed to help you see relationships at a glance instead of piecing them together from scattered sources.

Download the free charts here:
https://josephcoccagna.gumroad.com/l/heavy-metal-chelator-affinity-charts

From fragments to framework

Once you can see how strongly each chelator binds in relation to the others, the detox landscape starts to organise itself.

This is where people move from collecting advice to understanding systems — and from confusion to orientation.