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Chelators

Small organic compounds that form a complex with another compound, such as a mineral.

Multidentate ligands that bind metal ions through multiple coordination sites. Dietary chelators (phytate, oxalate, EDTA) affect mineral bioavailability; therapeutic chelators (deferoxamine, EDTA) treat metal overload.

How one textbook covers it

Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, 8th ed. (Gropper) — Glossary
Multidentate ligands that bind metal ions through multiple coordination sites. Dietary chelators (phytate, oxalate, EDTA) affect mineral bioavailability; therapeutic chelators (deferoxamine, EDTA) treat metal overload.

Related terms

Chaperones