Foods/Supplements-Vitamins: Modified Citrus Pectin

[pjoshea13]

This post was prompted by one from efsculpt 2 days back:

"Galactin 3 and Cancer cell subtypes study"

It mentions "Modified Citrus Pectin". Dr-WHO began a thread by that name a year ago. I responded then & am pasting my response below, without change, as part of my "Foods/Supplements-Vitamins" series. However, I am going to look at galectin-3 as a separate topic. The findings of the study cited by efsculpt are inconsistent with other studies. I'm interested in the value of galectin-3 as a PCa biomarker.

...

Dr. Isaac Eliaz [Econugenics] developed MCP (modified citrus pectin). Citrus pectin is a long-chain indigestible carbohydrate & the "modification" results in fragments small enough to be taken up by the gut & circulate in the blood.

Galectin-3 is a protein which has a binding area that binds to carbohydrate. There is nothing necessarily special about citrus pectin, in that any short-chain pectin will bind to galectin-3 situated on the surface of a cell.

Galectin-3 is involved in cell adhesion. The theory is that, with enough circulating MCP, the galectin-3 on circulating PCa cells will be gummed-up, & the cells will not be able to dock.

As an aside - recognize that the body is very efficient at zapping circulating cancer cells. Such cells become "invisible" if they connect with a microclot, so the primary strategy IMO is to counter dysfunctional coagulation.

But, in theory, MCP should make metastasis much more difficult. (& this might be useful even if mets already exist.)

What is the evidence - bearing in mind that Dr. Myers has dismissed the product as ineffective?

In a 1997 study [1] by Pienta, investigating PCa cell preferential adhesion to bone marrow:

"Our adhesion and inhibition data suggest that pectin-carbohydrate interactions are important, because a polyclonal antibody to galectin-3 inhibits prostate cancer cell binding to HBME-1 by 58%."

Earlier (1995), Pienta had experiment with MCP on rats [2]:

"Compared with 15 or 16 control rats that had lung metastases on day 30, seven of 14 rats in the 0.1% and nine of 16 rats in the 1.0% modified citrus-pectin group had statistically significant ... reductions in lung metastases. The lungs of the 1.0% modified citrus pectin-treated rats had significantly ... fewer metastatic colonies than control groups (9 colonies ...] in the control group compared with 1 colony +/- 1 in the treated group)."

A 1999 paper [3] undermined the idea of galectin-3 as a useful target:

"... galectin-3 expression was significantly decreased in primary carcinoma and metastatic disease compared with normal and premalignant tissue."

& a different team had the same message the following year [4]:

"We furthered our studies by examining a series of human prostate tissue samples for expression of galectin-3. Overall, approximately 60-70% of the normal tissue examined demonstrated heterogenous expression of galectin-3. In stage II tumors, however, there was a dramatic decrease in galectin-3 expression in both PIN and tumor sections, with only 10.5% (2/19) of these samples expressing this protein. Stage III tumors also demonstrated a decreased expression of galectin-3, although this downregulation was not as dramatic, with 35% of PIN samples and 52% of tumor tissue expressing galectin-3"

Also in 2000, another lab reported [5]:

"In prostatic cancer cells, galectin-3 was usually not expressed or decreased compared with the normal glands."

However:

"Interestingly, when galectin-3 was detected in the cancer cells, it was consistently excluded from the nucleus and only present in the cytoplasmic compartment."

Galectin-3 in the nucleus would not be relevant for docking to bone marrow. The authors hypothesized:

"that galectin-3 might play anti-tumor activities when present in the nucleus, whereas it could favor tumor progression when expressed in the cytoplasm."

"Cytoplasmic expression of galectin-3 in the carcinoma cells was an independent predictor of disease progression"

Dr Strum's name appears on a 2003 paper [6]:

"This trial investigated the tolerability and effect of modified citrus pectin (Pecta-Sol) in 13 men with prostate cancer and biochemical prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure after localized treatment, that is, radical prostatectomy, radiation, or cryosurgery. A total of 13 men were evaluated for tolerability and 10 for efficacy. Changes in the prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) of the 10 men were the primary end point in the study. We found that the PSADT increased ... in seven (70%) of 10 men after taking MCP for 12 months compared to before taking MCP. This study suggests that MCP may lengthen the PSADT in men with recurrent prostate cancer."

The study is small, it's old, & it is the only human study we have.

A 2007 paper [7] caught my eye when it was published:

"Commercially available fractionated pectin powder (FPP) induced apoptosis (approximately 40-fold above non-treated cells) in both cell lines ... Conversely, citrus pectin (CP) and the pH-modified CP, PectaSol, had little or no apoptotic activity."

I suspected that FPP was made by Thorne. I contacted Debra Mohnen & requested the full-text of the paper. A very nice lady & an expert on pectin - not cancer - she said that she had been surprised by the interest the study had stirred up in men with PCa. & yes, the Thorne product was used.

I contacted Thorne & found that the head of research was unaware of the study, let alone with the paper. Thorne seemed clueless & eventually dumped the product in favor of ... PectaSol. Crazy.

The difference? Chain fragmentation in PectaSol is achieved by changing the pH, whereas Thorne used heat.

In 2010, Katz did a cell study to compare the new PectaSol-C with the old PectSol. [8] Nothing exciting about the upgrade.

In 2012, Eliaz was involved in a cell study of PectaSol-C (MCP) + ProstaCaid (a sister product). [9] Seems designed to improve sales of ProstaCaid.

"Although low concentrations of MCP (0.25-1.0 mg/mL) do not suppress cell adhesion of ... prostate cancer cells, the combination of MCP with ... {ProstaCaid} synergistically inhibits adhesion of these cells."

ProstaCaid is an everything but the kitchen sink product that costs $5 / day at the full dose.

At this stage, PectaSol-C dominates the shortened-chain pectin market, which seems moribund in the PCa world. A large PCa study might breathe life into the product but that would be a big investment for Eliaz.

I am disappointed in the disappearance of the Thorne product, which possibly interfered with the ability of metastatic cells to form colonies. But PectaSol-C might have some benefit. Apart from nattokinase, which dissolves microclots that might be used in metastasis, it's the only product that targets circulating cancer cells. It possibly has incremental value that would hardly be noticed by a single user. I should start using mine again, before it goes bad. Does pectin go bad?

-Patrick

[1] jnci.oxfordjournals.org/con...

[2] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/785...

[3] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/105...

[4] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/108...

[5] onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

[6] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/146...

[7] glycob.oxfordjournals.org/c...

[8] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/204...

[9] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/225...

[gusgold]

Patrick,

I think Dr. Myers real world observations are the real test. Myers said every few years mcp was brought back by articles in LEF magazine. He said over the years he never witnessed a patient who benefited from mcp unless you consider emitting large quantities of foul smelling gas a benefit.

Gus

[Neal-Snyder in reply to gusgold]

Look out, Patrick! It might be fouler with old MCP.

Neal

[chascri]

Have you done any study of dandelion root extract or apricot seed extract?

[pjoshea13 in reply to chascri]

Chascri,

Dr Eliaz, who created MCP, also created ProstaCaid. For some odd reason he included dandelion. Odd because there has been no interest in dandelion for PCa. Perhaps he had a hunch?

Or maybe it has been studied in other cancers?

But I only look at PCa papers on PubMed, as a rule.

Do you have a particular interest?

...

There is a lot of cancer hype on apricot seed extracts, but no PCa research. I have known a number of men who were enthusiatic about it, but none who benefited. I think it is one of those "cures" that are a distraction for men new to PCa.

But perhaps someone on this site has had a good experience?

See: cam-cancer.org/The-Summarie...

-Patrick

[chascri in reply to pjoshea13]

No particular interest. I have just read some inner Internet claims about both that I did not consider reliable. I just wanted .I just wondered if you had come across any reliable research regarding either.

[jst66]

Google Galectin Therapeutics...

[gusgold]

Dr. Myers may be on to something about users of MCP emitting large quantities of foul smelling gas....Nal says this is not a problem but how do you explain, that every time Nal goes fishing in his row boat huge numbers of dead and dying fish float to the surface.

Gus

[efsculpt in reply to gusgold]

Gus: I've seen this for years. With really inspired fishermen, the fish just give up!

Craig

[wagscure259]

Which brand of MCP powder do you utilize

[pjoshea13 in reply to wagscure259]

When Dr. Isaac Eliaz created the first short-chain citrus pectin, he also invented the term 'modified' citrus pectin. I naturally assumed that all MCP products are actually the Econugenics product.

There was a better product but it is no longer available. Thorne now sells MCP under its own name. Their old product, which they never supported, was called fractionated pectin powder. A more descriptive name.

There are no PCa studies for other available products. e,g, from Allergy Research Group.

I'm not a big fan of Eliaz & feel ripped off every time I buy it. Pectin itself is dirt cheap. How expensive can it be to chop up the molecules? Help me out Nalakrats.

-Patrick

[wagscure259]

Thank you for your invaluable contributions to those battling the Stage IV PCa beast . Edward

[BrianF505]

I'm little -2 or 3 oz -hot water, stir good with a chop stix and let sit for 5. Add another 6 oz cold water, stir a time or two more during the drinking process. In the morning, I mix it with the MychoPhyto mushroom tea--- yum!

[pjoshea13]

Here is a better method IMO.

Put water in a glass. Add powder. Do not stir.

Come back in 2 hours, or so, when there is no powder on the water surface. Stir & swallow.

-Patrick

[paulofaus]

Hey guys, I saw this today in my news feed. Might be of some interest. prostatecancernewstoday.com... .

[pjoshea13 in reply to paulofaus]

Very interesting, Paul!

This stuff has been around for over 25 years (?) The first PCa paper was in 1995 [1] "Inhibition of spontaneous metastasis in a rat prostate cancer model by oral administration of modified citrus pectin." But a melanoma paper appeared in 1994.

Strum & Scholz presented results of a trial in 1999 [2]. "Modified citrus pectin slows PSA doubling time". A paper wasn't published until 2003 [3]. "Modified citrus pectin (MCP) increases the prostate-specific antigen doubling time in men with prostate cancer: a phase II pilot study."

Since then, there have been some cell studies. Nothing for 7 years, unless you count the 2012 Eliaz paper where he combines his MCP & ProstaCaid [4]. "Synergistic and additive effects of modified citrus pectin with two polybotanical compounds, in the suppression of invasive behavior of human breast and prostate cancer cells."

In the meantime, Dr. Myers dismissed pectin in a vblog post.

Note that Eliaz headed up the new study [5].

"Of the 34 pts analysed, 18% (n = 6) had grade 1 toxicity. 62% (n = 21) had a stabilization/decrease of PSA, and negative scans, at 6 mo, and entered into the second 12 mos tx phase. A stabilization or improvement (increase) of PSA doubling time was noted in 79% (n = 27) of pts. Disease progression at 6 mos was noted in 38% (n = 13: PSA only 29%, n = 10; PSA and scans 9%, n = 3)."

-Patrick

[1] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/785...

[2] Strum S, Scholz M, McDermed J, et al. Modified citrus pectin slows PSA doubling time: A pilot clinical trial. Presentation: International Conference on Diet and Prevention of Cancer, Tampere, Finland. May 28, 1999 – June 2, 1999.

[3] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/146...

[4] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/225...

[5] ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.120...

[teamkv]

Just re-reading this post. Found this on Amazon today. Pretty expensive though if you are doing 3 scoops a day: Fractionated Pectin Powder

smile.amazon.com/Thorne-Res...

My husband is still working and it is quite impossible to get an afternoon dose in him with his schedule on an empty stomach.

[pjoshea13 in reply to teamkv]

It is exactly the same as:

iherb.com/pr/Econugenics-Pe...

150 g = 5.29 oz $42.46 at iHerb.

I only ever take it once daily.

-Patrick