Modified citrus pectin
Encyclopedia
Modified Citrus Pectin - also known as citrus pectin, Pecta-Sol and MCP - is a form of pectin
that has been altered so that it can be more easily absorbed by the digestive tract. Pectin is a carbohydrate
that is made of hundreds or thousands of polysaccharide
molecules chemically linked together. It is found in most plants and is particularly plentiful in the peels of apples, citrus fruits, and plums. In modified citrus pectin, the pectin has been chemically altered sometimes by pH
and temperature modifications to break its long, branched chains of polysaccharides into smaller, unbranched lengths of soluble fiber molecules. Pectin in its natural form cannot be absorbed by the body and is considered a type of undigestible soluble dietary fiber
, whereas modified citrus pectin has a reduced molecular weight compared to regular citrus pectin, is mostly linear homogalacturonanic acid, and rich in galactose
residues, which are easily processed by the digestive system and absorbed into the bloodstream if of the correct molecular weight range.
According to the Natural Standards Monograph on MCP, “some experts caution that neither citrus pectin nor all ‘modified’ citrus pectins have the same effects as MCP. Citrus pectin does not have the short polysaccharide chains as MCP, and ‘modified’ pectin could indicate that the pectin has been altered in some way, but not necessarily have the shorter polysaccharide chains.”
, colon
, breast, liver
, and skin cancer
. Scientists believe that MCP works by inhibiting two key processes involved in cancer progression: angiogenesis
and metastasis
. Animals with these types of cancer that were fed MCP had a much lower risk of the tumor spreading to the lungs. For example, one study examined the effects of MCP on lung metastasis from melanoma
cells. Researchers injected mice with melanoma cells. In the mice that were also given MCP, significantly fewer tumors spread to the lungs than in the mice that did not receive the supplement. When lung tumors did develop in the mice treated with MCP, the tumors tended to be smaller than those that formed in untreated animals.
Although animal and cell studies are quite encouraging, limited information is available about whether MCP is effective in humans. In one of the published clinical trials, 10 men with prostate cancer were treated with MCP after standard treatment failed. In 7 of these men, blood tests found prostate-specific antigen (PSA, a marker of prostate cancer growth). Their PSA doubling time (a measure of how fast PSA goes up) improved in comparison with measurements done before taking MCP, indicating that MCP may have a slowing effect on the cancer's growth. This pilot study lacked a control group or survival data, and more randomized controlled trials looking at larger groups of people should be done.". However, taken with the information gained from animal studies, it suggests that MCP may have a role in reducing the growth and spread of cancer, and has great potential because secondary metastatic cancers are often more threatening to patients than the original tumor. MCP seems to have positive impacts especially regarding clinical benefit and life quality for patients with far advanced solid tumors. Modified citrus pectin should be used with, not in place of, standard cancer therapy.
, which is a chemical process where a substance is used to bind molecules and hold them tightly so that they can be excreted from the body. Chelation is commonly used to treat lead and mercury poisoning. In most instances, chelation therapy involves the infusion of compounds via a catheter
placed in an arm vein and usually in a clinical setting. In contrast, chelation therapy using MCP can be done anywhere via the use of oral supplements.
and hypercholesterolemia
. It has been promoted for reducing the risk of colon cancer and for reducing damage from radiation therapy
but there is insufficient scientific evidence to support these uses. Some also claim that a compound found in MCP strengthens the cancer cell–killing ability of T-cells, cells that also protect against germs. MCP treatment modality is thought to promote wellness and optimize overall health.
MCP is also a natural inhibitor of Galectin-3
, a protein that at elevated levels has been found to be significantly associated with higher risk of death in both acute decompensated heart failure and chronic heart failure populations.
Pectin
Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide contained in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants. It was first isolated and described in 1825 by Henri Braconnot...
that has been altered so that it can be more easily absorbed by the digestive tract. Pectin is a carbohydrate
Carbohydrate
A carbohydrate is an organic compound with the empirical formula ; that is, consists only of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, with a hydrogen:oxygen atom ratio of 2:1 . However, there are exceptions to this. One common example would be deoxyribose, a component of DNA, which has the empirical...
that is made of hundreds or thousands of polysaccharide
Polysaccharide
Polysaccharides are long carbohydrate molecules, of repeated monomer units joined together by glycosidic bonds. They range in structure from linear to highly branched. Polysaccharides are often quite heterogeneous, containing slight modifications of the repeating unit. Depending on the structure,...
molecules chemically linked together. It is found in most plants and is particularly plentiful in the peels of apples, citrus fruits, and plums. In modified citrus pectin, the pectin has been chemically altered sometimes by pH
PH
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at . Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline...
and temperature modifications to break its long, branched chains of polysaccharides into smaller, unbranched lengths of soluble fiber molecules. Pectin in its natural form cannot be absorbed by the body and is considered a type of undigestible soluble dietary fiber
Dietary fiber
Dietary fiber, dietary fibre, or sometimes roughage is the indigestible portion of plant foods having two main components:* soluble fiber that is readily fermented in the colon into gases and physiologically active byproducts, and* insoluble fiber that is metabolically inert, absorbing water as it...
, whereas modified citrus pectin has a reduced molecular weight compared to regular citrus pectin, is mostly linear homogalacturonanic acid, and rich in galactose
Galactose
Galactose , sometimes abbreviated Gal, is a type of sugar that is less sweet than glucose. It is a C-4 epimer of glucose....
residues, which are easily processed by the digestive system and absorbed into the bloodstream if of the correct molecular weight range.
According to the Natural Standards Monograph on MCP, “some experts caution that neither citrus pectin nor all ‘modified’ citrus pectins have the same effects as MCP. Citrus pectin does not have the short polysaccharide chains as MCP, and ‘modified’ pectin could indicate that the pectin has been altered in some way, but not necessarily have the shorter polysaccharide chains.”
Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapy
Pre-clinical studies indicated that MCP helped reduce the spread of prostateProstate
The prostate is a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male reproductive system in most mammals....
, colon
Colon (anatomy)
The colon is the last part of the digestive system in most vertebrates; it extracts water and salt from solid wastes before they are eliminated from the body, and is the site in which flora-aided fermentation of unabsorbed material occurs. Unlike the small intestine, the colon does not play a...
, breast, liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
, and skin cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. Scientists believe that MCP works by inhibiting two key processes involved in cancer progression: angiogenesis
Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Though there has been some debate over terminology, vasculogenesis is the term used for spontaneous blood-vessel formation, and intussusception is the term for the formation of new blood...
and metastasis
Metastasis
Metastasis, or metastatic disease , is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part. It was previously thought that only malignant tumor cells and infections have the capacity to metastasize; however, this is being reconsidered due to new research...
. Animals with these types of cancer that were fed MCP had a much lower risk of the tumor spreading to the lungs. For example, one study examined the effects of MCP on lung metastasis from melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
cells. Researchers injected mice with melanoma cells. In the mice that were also given MCP, significantly fewer tumors spread to the lungs than in the mice that did not receive the supplement. When lung tumors did develop in the mice treated with MCP, the tumors tended to be smaller than those that formed in untreated animals.
Although animal and cell studies are quite encouraging, limited information is available about whether MCP is effective in humans. In one of the published clinical trials, 10 men with prostate cancer were treated with MCP after standard treatment failed. In 7 of these men, blood tests found prostate-specific antigen (PSA, a marker of prostate cancer growth). Their PSA doubling time (a measure of how fast PSA goes up) improved in comparison with measurements done before taking MCP, indicating that MCP may have a slowing effect on the cancer's growth. This pilot study lacked a control group or survival data, and more randomized controlled trials looking at larger groups of people should be done.". However, taken with the information gained from animal studies, it suggests that MCP may have a role in reducing the growth and spread of cancer, and has great potential because secondary metastatic cancers are often more threatening to patients than the original tumor. MCP seems to have positive impacts especially regarding clinical benefit and life quality for patients with far advanced solid tumors. Modified citrus pectin should be used with, not in place of, standard cancer therapy.
Heavy Metal Detoxification
Trials and studies revealed that orally administered MCP supplements significantly increase urinary excretion of toxic metals present in the body. It is some times used as a safer and gentler form of Chelation therapyChelation therapy
Chelation therapy is the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. For the most common forms of heavy metal intoxication—those involving lead, arsenic or mercury—the standard of care in the United States dictates the use of dimercaptosuccinic acid...
, which is a chemical process where a substance is used to bind molecules and hold them tightly so that they can be excreted from the body. Chelation is commonly used to treat lead and mercury poisoning. In most instances, chelation therapy involves the infusion of compounds via a catheter
Catheter
In medicine, a catheter is a tube that can be inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel. Catheters thereby allow drainage, administration of fluids or gases, or access by surgical instruments. The process of inserting a catheter is catheterization...
placed in an arm vein and usually in a clinical setting. In contrast, chelation therapy using MCP can be done anywhere via the use of oral supplements.
Other Uses
Preliminary clinical data suggests that pectin is beneficial for treating diarrheaDiarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
and hypercholesterolemia
Hypercholesterolemia
Hypercholesterolemia is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It is not a disease but a metabolic derangement that can be caused by many diseases, notably cardiovascular disease...
. It has been promoted for reducing the risk of colon cancer and for reducing damage from radiation therapy
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy , radiation oncology, or radiotherapy , sometimes abbreviated to XRT or DXT, is the medical use of ionizing radiation, generally as part of cancer treatment to control malignant cells.Radiation therapy is commonly applied to the cancerous tumor because of its ability to control...
but there is insufficient scientific evidence to support these uses. Some also claim that a compound found in MCP strengthens the cancer cell–killing ability of T-cells, cells that also protect against germs. MCP treatment modality is thought to promote wellness and optimize overall health.
MCP is also a natural inhibitor of Galectin-3
Galectin-3
Galectin-3 is a member of the lectin family, of which 14 mammalian galectins have been identified. Galectin-3 is approximately 30 kDa and, like all galectins, contains a carbohydrate-recognition-binding domain of about 130 amino acids that enable the specific binding of β-galactosides. ...
, a protein that at elevated levels has been found to be significantly associated with higher risk of death in both acute decompensated heart failure and chronic heart failure populations.