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Important facts about EDTA: |
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1. EDTA is a synthetic amino acid compound that is widely used as a chelating agent to bind metal ions such as calcium and magnesium. |
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2. EDTA is commonly used in the food industry as a preservative to prevent oxidation and discoloration. |
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3. In medicine, EDTA is used as a chelating agent to treat heavy metal poisoning and to remove excess calcium from the bloodstream in conditions such as hypercalcemia. |
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4. EDTA is also used in laboratory settings to prevent clotting of blood samples and to stabilize enzymes and proteins. |
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5. While EDTA is considered safe for most people when used appropriately, long-term or excessive use can lead to potential side effects such as kidney damage. It is important to use EDTA under the guidance of a healthcare professional. |