Modified citrus pectin, also referred to as just citrus pectin, is a soluble fiber that is derived from the peel and pulp of citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges and grapefruit. Pectin in its natural form cannot be absorbed by the body, and modified citrus pectin, or MCP, is a form of pectin that has been chemically altered so that it can be more easily absorbed in the body and blood.
Chelating Benefits
Modified citrus pectin binds to heavy metals and helps to remove them from the body. This is beneficial because, according to the December 2007 edition of the "Forschende Komplementärmedizin" journal, heavy metals put a burden on the body and can contribute to chronic diseases as well as interfere with the body's capacity to recover from illness. The Amitabha Medical Clinic and Healing Center in Sebastopol, California, conducted a small-scale study on the chelating and subsequent health effects of MCP on five individuals with various illnesses. More research needs to be done, but the results were promising, with the patients achieving an average of a 74 percent decrease in heavy metals. The gradual decrease of total-body heavy-metal burden that resulted from the MCP was credited for helping the patients recover from their illnesses and maintain a state of overall health.
Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Modified citrus pectin has anticancer properties and may help to prevent cancer cells from replicating and proliferating. It is also purported to reduce damage caused from radiation therapy. Angiogenesis is the term used to describe the growth of new blood vessels. When MCP comes into contact with and binds to a substance called galectin-3 in the body, it produces an anti-angiogenesis effect, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. This is helpful, because tumors need blood vessels to supply them with the nourishment needed to thrive, and by preventing angiogenesis, MCP may help to starve and kill the tumor cells. More research needs to be done to support the use of MCP for these purposes.
Potential Help for Dementia and Alzheimer's
Angiogenesis may also contribute to Alzheimer's disease, and MCP is currently under investigation as a potential Alzheimer's prevention supplement. Nan Kathryn Fuchs, Ph.D., explains that the formation of new blood vessels in the brain may cause deposits of plaque and the secretion of a toxin that kills brain cells and contributes to dementia. It is theorized that by preventing the formation of these new blood cells, MCP may also help to prevent the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. No studies have been done yet to confirm this theory, however.
Dosage and Precautions
As with any fiber, MCP may decrease the absorption of certain medications. No serious adverse reactions are associated with MCP; however, it may cause mild abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which resolve after stopping MCP. Modified citrus pectin is available as a capsule or powder. For general health-promoting purposes, take 5 g of powder or an 800-mg capsule three times daily, instructs the American Cancer Society. As with any nutritional supplement, you should consult with your healthcare practitioner before self-medicating with MCP.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Pectin; February 2011
- New Living Magazine; The Amazing Health Benefits of Modified Citrus Pectin; Nan Kathryn Fuchs
- American Cancer Society; Modified Citrus Pectin; November 2008
- "Forschende Komplementärmedizin"; Integrative Medicine and the Role of Modified Citrus Pectin/Alginates in Heavy Metal Chelation and Detoxification -- Five Case Reports; I. Eliaz, et al.; December 2007
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