Pectin is a water-soluble carbohydrate found in ripe fruits such as apples, grapefruits, and plums. It has always been associated with human consumption since it is found in all terrestrial plants and is most concentrated in citrus fruits. Commercial uses include manufacturing foods, drugs, and cosmetics. It is probably best known as the gelling agent used in producing marmalades and jellies.
In modified citrus pectin (MCP), the pH and polysaccharides have been altered to form groups of the simple sugar galactose. In making MCP, the carbohydrate chains are split into smaller pieces. MCP’s source is the peel and membrane of citrus fruits. MCP is purportedly useful for anti-metastatic purposes, but not for treatment of primary tumors.
MCP is available in powder or capsule form. For the powder, 5-6gm is mixed with water or juice and taken 2-3 times per day with meals.
Certain cancer cell types, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lymphoma, melanoma, glioblastoma, and laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma, all have specific protein molecules on their cell surface, called galectins.Metastatic cells express significantly more galectin-3 than the original primary tumor cells from which they were derived. Galectins are known for their carbohydrate-binding abilities. These proteins on the cancer cell surface are involved in binding between cells. They play an important role in cellular interactions during the metastatic process, binding to galactose on neighboring cancer cells and oligosaccharides on the surface of normal cells.
Human studies of colon, stomach and thyroid cancers showed that the amounts of galectin produced increased proportionally as the cancers progressed from their early to advanced stages. Higher galectin levels permit greater adhesion of cancer cells and increases the ability of these cells to bind to non-cancerous cells at a distant site where metastasis occurs. It is felt that MCP works by blocking tumor cell surface galectins, so that tumor cells cannot adhere to other cells. This galectin blockage inhibits the aggregation (colony forming) of cancer cells and inhibits adhesion of cancer cells to host cell surfaces.
Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) can help with the following
Increased Risk of Prostate Cancer
15gm of MCP per day in three divided doses slowed the progression of prostate cancer as monitered by PSA measurements. MCP is thought to bind to galectin-3, preventing the cancer cell from functioning normally and causing it to self-destruct. [The Prostate, Feb 1, 2003] As prostate cancer is typically slow growing, the use of MCP before the condition becomes detectable seems a good preventive action to take.
Prostate Cancer
MCP appears to slow the PSA doubling time in prostate cancer patients with low levels of PSA. More research involving larger numbers of patients is needed to fully define the role of MCP in prostate cancer treatment. Study responses are additionally compelling, as all study participants are still alive and evaluable for longterm followup almost three years after completion of this study.[International Conference on Diet and Prevention of Cancer May 28 June 2, 1999, Tampere, Finland]
15gm of MCP per day in three divided doses slowed the progression of prostate cancer as monitered by PSA measurements. MCP is thought to bind to galectin-3, preventing the cancer cell from functioning normally and causing it to self-destruct. [The Prostate, Feb 1, 2003]
Better Health Publishing (BHP), announced Sept 14, 2007, the evaluation of five published studies that bolster the current premise by researchers that Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) is beneficial and effective in helping patients manage prostate cancer. The five studies investigated by BHP include: 1) MCP Induces Cell Death of Prostate Cancer Cells in Co-Cultures with Human Endothelial Monolayers; 2) MCP Slows PSA Doubling Time: A Pilot Clinical Trail; 3) MCP Increases the Prostate Doubling Time in Men with Prostate Cancer: a Phase II Clinical Trial; 4) Human Cancer Cell Growth and Metastasis in Nude Mice by Oral intake of MCP; and 5) Inhibition of Spontaneous Metastasis in a Rat Prostate Cancer Model by Oral Administration of MCP.
The American Cancer Society forecasts that there will be about 219,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2007 and about 27,000 men will die of it.
“If you can slow the rise of PSA in recurrent prostate cancer you are slowing the growth of the cancer,” said Isaac Eliaz, M.D. L.Ac., M.S. who specializes in cancer treatment at his clinic in the San Francisco Bay Area. “I have been working with MCP and cancer patients for years and have found that my clinical experience is in alignment with the Better Health Publishing analysis. MCP has a measurable beneficial impact upon the health of my prostate cancer patients.”
The research supports the findings that MCP plays a role in the reduction of PSA doubling time. Citrus pectin is a water-soluble polysaccharide found abundantly in the white part of the peel of citrus fruits. MCP is created by a depolymerization process resulting in a lower molecular weight compound for increased absorbability. PSA doubling time and the PSA velocity show how fast the prostate cancer is growing after the initial prostate cancer has been removed.
Key
| May do some good |
| Likely to help |
Glossary
Carbohydrates
The sugars and starches in food. Sugars are called simple carbohydrates and found in such foods as fruit and table sugar. Complex carbohydrates are composed of large numbers of sugar molecules joined together, and are found in grains, legumes, and vegetables like potatoes, squash, and corn.
pH
A measure of an environment's acidity or alkalinity. The more acidic the solution, the lower the pH. For example, a pH of 1 is very acidic; a pH of 7 is neutral; a pH of 14 is very alkaline.
Gram
(gm): A metric unit of weight, there being approximately 28 grams in one ounce.
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Prostate
The prostate gland in men that surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra and produces a secretion that liquefies coagulated semen.
Colon
The part of the large intestine that extends to the rectum. The colon takes the contents of the small intestine, moving them to the rectum by contracting.
Lymphoma
Any tumor of the lymphatic tissues.
Melanoma
A life-threatening type of skin cancer that occurs in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin, the pigment found in skin, hair, and the iris of the eyes.
Carcinoma
Malignant growth of epithelial cells tending to infiltrate the surrounding tissue and giving rise to metastasis.
Protein
Compounds composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the body and in foods that form complex combinations of amino acids. Protein is essential for life and is used for growth and repair. Foods that supply the body with protein include animal products, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Proteins from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Proteins are changed to amino acids in the body.
Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.
Thyroid
Thyroid Gland: An organ with many veins. It is at the front of the neck. It is essential to normal body growth in infancy and childhood. It releases thyroid hormones - iodine-containing compounds that increase the rate of metabolism, affect body temperature, regulate protein, fat, and carbohydrate catabolism in all cells. They keep up growth hormone release, skeletal maturation, and heart rate, force, and output. They promote central nervous system growth, stimulate the making of many enzymes, and are necessary for muscle tone and vigor.