Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland, a small organ located at the base of the bladder that makes some of the fluid in semen. University of Maryland Medical Center experts say this is the third most common cause of cancer death in American men and the most common cause in men over 75. Pectin is a type of soluble fiber found in most fruits. Some evidence suggests it may slow the growth and spread of prostate cancer. Discuss taking fruit pectin with your doctor to decide if it is a good choice for you.
Risk Factors
The greatest risk factor for prostate cancer is being a man older than 55, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. African American men are more likely to develop the disease than men of other ethnicities. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, are obese, eat a fat-rich diet or fail to exercise, you are at increased risk for the condition. Although the exact cause of prostate cancer is still unknown, at least one specific gene has been identified that may have a role in transforming normal prostate cells into cancer cells.
Fruit Pectin
Pectin is a soluble fiber that is found in most fruits and some vegetables but is especially abundant in citrus fruit, plums and apples. It is a very large carbohydrate containing many thousands of sugar molecules that are attached to each other. Modified citrus pectin, or MCP, is a type of pectin that has been changed chemically so that it can be absorbed more easily and quickly than unaltered pectin.
MCP Properties
A molecule called galectin-3 is present on the surfaces of prostate cancer cells. Modified citrus pectin attaches to galectin-3 and slows the growth of prostate tumors, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In a study published in 2002 in the "Journal of the National Cancer Institute," laboratory animals fed MCP had less tumor growth, cancer spread and growth of blood vessels into tumors than animals given a placebo. In a small clinical trial published in 2003 in "Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases," men with prostate cancer showed evidence of slower cancer growth after taking MCP for one year. Although larger clinical trials are still needed, these findings are very promising.
Recommendations
You may increase your intake of fruit pectin by adding lots of citrus fruits, plums or apples to your diet. Alternatively, modified citrus pectin is available from health food stores as a supplement. It is generally considered safe and without serious side effects, although you may experience mild stomach upset after taking the supplement. Do not take MCP if you are allergic to citrus fruits. MCP may interact with some medicines, including statin drugs. Discuss taking pectin supplements with your doctor before adding them to your routine.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Prostate Cancer
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Pectin
- American Cancer Society: Modified Citrus Pectin
- "Journal of the National Cancer Institute"; Inhibition of Human Cancer Cell Growth and Metastasis in Nude Mice by Oral Intake of Modified Citrus Pectin; P. Nandia-Makker et al.; December 2002
- "Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases"; Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) Increases the Prostate-Specific Antigen DoublingTime in Men With Prostate Cancer . . . ; B. Guess et al.; 2003
