BY JOANNE NICHOLAS

1

Fighting Cancer Metastasis andHeavy Me tal Toxicities

WithModified Uitrus Pectin

Despite billions of research do'lars spent every year, cancer remainsthe second leading killer of Ame deans. One reason cancer is so lethalis its tendency to metastasize to essential organs throxighout the body.

Certain malignancies (Uke brair tumors) kill by infiltrating into healthytissues, but the vast majority of cane er deaths occur when tumor cells enterthe blood and lymphatic systems and travel to the liver, lungs, bones, andother distant parts of the body. i

Unfortunately, there have been few effective approaches to prevent-ing cancer metastasis. The encouraging news is that a specialized fruitpolysaccharide called modified citrus pectin has demonstrated uniqueproperties in blocking cancer cell aggregation, adhesion, and metastasis.'Clinical research shows that modi.ied citrus pectin helps limit diseaseprogression in men with advanced prostate cancer.^ In addition to itscancer-inhibiting effects, modified oitrus pectin shows promise in chelat-ing toxic heavy metals that can be so damaging to overall health.^

Here, we'll explore how this novel compound offers such distinctiveand protective effects. > >

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What IS Modified Citrus Pectm?The American Cancer Society recommends that

adults eat five servings of fruits and vegetables eachday in order to help reduce cancer risk."* One way toget some of the benefits of citi-us fruits such as orangesand grapefiTiits is with modified citrus pectin.

Pectin is a naturally occurring substance found inthe cell walls of most plants and especially concen-trated in the peel and pulp of citrus fruits (lemons,limes, oranges, and grapefruits), plums, and apples.It was first identified in 1825, but home cooks hadlong used fruits with high levels of pectin in jams andmarmalades because of their gelling properties. Whilepectin provides little nutritional content, this carbohy-drate acts as a beneficial type of soluble dietary fiber.

Researchers attempted to find a process to alterpectin to create a food supplement that would allowthe body to benefit from its various health-promotingproperties. Recently, scientists have been able to usepH and temperature modifications to break downpectin's long, bi anched chains of polysaccharides intoshorter, unbranched lengths of soluble fiber moleculesthat dissolve easily in water. The result, modified citruspectin (MCP), is a substance that is rich in galactoseresidues, which are easily processed by the digestivesystem and absorbed into the bloodstream.'^ Scientistscontinue to refine MCP in their quest for a more activeand effective agent.

Preventing Cancer MetastasisModified citms pectin is thought to be useful in the

prevention and treatment of metastatic cancer, espe-cially in solid tumors like melanoma and cancers ofthe prostate, colon, and breast. Scientists believe thatMCP works by inhibiting two key processes involved incancer progression: angiogenesis and metastasis.^'

Angiogenesis is the process in which cancer cellsestablish their own blood supply to fuel their growth.Metastasis occurs when cancer cells break away fromthe original tumor, enter the bloodstream or lymphaticsystem, and form a new tumor in a different organ orother parts of the body." Secondary or metastatic can-cers often pose more life-threatening circumstancesthan the original tumor.

As scientists begin to decipher the process of howcells receive, interpret, and relay the signals thatrecruit them to form new tumors,^ they are focusingtheir attention on molecules called galactose-bindinglectins, orgalectins. Gaiectins are overexpressed adhe-sion and blood vessel-attracting surface moleculesthat are thought to be involved in the spread of can-cer.̂ A growing number of small studies in humansand animals have reported that MCP interferes withthe cancer cell's interactions with other cancer cells byacting as a galectin-3 antagonist—that is, an agent thatblocks the normal activity of galectins.

Via the mechanism oi galectin-3 antagonism, MCPappears to disrupt the processes that allow cancercells to communicate with one another. When theMCP molecules bind to receptors on the surface ofcancer cells, they block galectin-3 and other moleculesfrom penetrating into nearby healthy tissue to createa new tumor and establish the tumor's blood supply(angiogenesis). In this way, MCP seems to play a role inpreventing cancerous tumors from metastasizing andspreading to other organs—one of the main causes ofdeath ft-om cancer.

When MCP interferes with cancer cells trying toform a new tumor, the cancer cells circulate in thebloodstream until they die. By working to inhibit thespread of cancer, MCP keeps the body's immune sys-tem from becoming ovei-whelmed by an increasingcancer cell load."*

Modified Citrus Pectin'sEffects in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diag-nosed in men in the United States. One in six Americanmen will be diagnosed with prostate cancer duringhis lifetime. The American Cancer Society (ACS) esti-mates that 28,660 men die of prostate cancer annually,with only lung cancer more lethal to men." The ACSestimates a five-year survival rate of nearly 100% for

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men whose prostate cancer is diagnosed and treatedat an early stage. But for those men with late stase,metastatic prostate cancer, the ti'eatment options arevery limited. \

One of the first promising studies to show thepotential of MCP to inhibit prostate cancer metas a-sis was published in ihe Joumal of the National CancerInstitute in 1995. Laboratoj-y rats were injected withhuman prostate cancer cells and divided into fourgroups. The control group received plain water andthe other groups received water with varying conce ni-trations of MCP. After 30 days, only 50% of the ratsthat drank water with MCP (0.1% weight/volume) hadany métastases, while 94% of the rats that drank regu-lar water had cancer metastasize to their lungs. Thi;researchers called for further study to determine both

"the role ofgalectin-.S in nonnal and cancerous prostatetissues" and "the ability of modified citrus pectin toinhibit human prostate metastasis in nude mice."^^

In 1999, Dr. Stephen Stiiim, an oncologist special-izing in prostate cancer and a respected member olLife Extension's Scientific Advisor>' Board, and hiscolleagues were the first to show the positive effectsot MCP on humans with advanced prostate cancer.In a paper presented at an International Conferenceon Diet and Prevention of Cancer, they reported thatfive of seven men with advanced prostate cancer andunable to benefit fi-om conventional treatment had apositive response after taking MCP every day for thi eemonths or longer. The response was measured b> anincrease in prostate-specific antigen doubling time(PSADT), which measures the rate at which blood lev-els of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) rise. Since PSA isa marker of prostate cancer progression or recurrence,longer PSA doubling time is associated with slowerdisease progression and is thus desirable. One of the\\\'c patients had no increase to his PSA level at all."

A more recent study led by Brad Guess and Drs.Mark Scholz and Stephen Sti-um also found that MCPincreases the PSA doubling time. In this phase II pilotstudy of 10 men whose prostate cancer had returnedafter an initial treatment with surgery or radiation,PSADT increased in eight (80%) of the 10 men aftertaking MCP for 12 months.'"*

Dr. Stnam told Life Extension, "My clinical experi-ence using MCP in prostate cancer has been that itslows PSA doubling time in the majority of patientstaking the standard dose of 5 grams three times perday. Because this treatment is well tolerated, I useMCP in situations where sustained increases in PSAmay occur." In a study published in 2007, 49 patientswith advanced prostate cancer and few treatmentoptions were given oral doses of MCP powdei- dilutedin water and juice three times a day at eight-hour

What You Need to Know

Modified Citrus Pectin

Pectin IS a complex carbohydrate that isabundantly present in citrus fruits. Modifiedcitrus pectin (MCP) is composed of short,non-branched carbohydrate chains derivedfrom the peel and pulp of citrus fruits.

Compelling research suggests that modifiedcitrus pectin may help block the growth andmetastasis of solid tumors such as breast,colon, and prostate cancers.

Intriguing clinical studies suggest that supple-mentation with MCP stabilizes disease pro-gression and lengthens PSA doubling times inmen with prostate cancer.

Modified citrus pectin may represent a safe,ncn-ioxic method of chelating toxic metals-without the need for intravenous infusions.

Supplementation with MCP has been shownto increase excretion of dangerous metalssuch as mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmi-um-without removing essential minerals likecalcium, magnesium, and zinc from the body.

A clinical study showed that supplementationwith an MCP-.alginate complex reduced totalbody toxic heavy metal burden in patients witha variety of health concerns.

MCP is considered safe and well tolerated,Dosages rango from 6 to 30 grams per dayin divided dosages; a typical dose is 5 gramsthree times daily.

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intervals for a four-week cycle. After two cycles oftreatment with MCP, 21% of the patients had a clini-cal benefit of disease stabihzation or improved qual-ity of life; 12% had stable disease for more than 24weeks. One patient with stage IV metastatic prostatecancer showed a 50% decrease in serum PSA levelafter 16 weeks of treatment, improving his qualityof life and also decreasing pain. "MCP seems to havepositive impacts especially regarding clinical benefitand life quality for patients with far advanced solidtumors," the researchers concluded.^

Modified Citrus Pectin and ChelationBeyond its benefits in fighting cancer metastasis,

MCP may have applications in mitigating the healthdangers posed by toxic heavy metals. Chelation ther-apy is a chemical process in which a substance is usedto bind molecules, such as hea\'>' metals or minerals,and hold them tightly so that they can be removedfrom a system, such as the body. Chelation can helprid the body of excess or toxic metals, but it is notknown if this reduces artery disease risk. Chelation isused to treat lead and mercury poisoning.'^"*

In most instances, chelation therapy involves theinfusion of compounds via a catheter placed in an armvein. This procedure must be done in a clinical set-ting over a specified course of treatments. In contrast,chelation therapy using MCP is done via the oral routeand can be administered to the patient in almost anyclinical setting, since the supplement can be ingestedanywhere.

A pilot trial evaluating MCP's chelating effectsprovided evidence that orally administered MCP sig-nificantly increases urinary excretion of toxic metals.In a study published in 2006, eight healthy individu-als were given 15 grams of MCP daily for five daysand 20 grams of MCP on day sLx. Twenty-four hoururine samples were collected on days one and six andanalyzed for toxic and essential elements. The inves-tigators reported that significant urinary excretion ofarsenic, mercury, cadmium, and lead increased withinone to six days of MCP treatment. There was a 150%increase in the excretion of cadmium and a 560%increase in lead excretion on day six.''Essential min-erals such as calcium, zinc, and magnesium were notseen to increase in the urine analysis, indicating thatMCP treatment did not deplete these nutrients.

In a case study report, five patients with differ-ent illnesses were given MCP {PectaSol'"') alone or asan MCP/alginate combination (PectaSol® ChelationComplex™) for up to seven months. Each one had agradual decrease of total heavy metal burden, whichis believed to have played an important role in thepatients' recovery and health maintenance. The

patients had a 74% average decrease in toxic heavymetals after treatment. The authors report this is the

"first known documentation of evidence" of a possiblecorrelation of positive clinical outcomes and a reduc-tion of toxic heaw metal load using MCP alone or asan MCP/alginate complex. They recommend "furtherstudies be performed to confirm the effectiveness ofthis gentle non-toxic chelating system as an alterna-tive to harsher chelators in the treatment of patientswith a heavy metal body burden."'^

Lead toxicity is an ongoing concern worldwide,and the long-lasting effects of lead exposure in chil-dren are especially troubling. A 2008 pilot study at theChildren's Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou,China looked at whether MCP'' could mitigate leadtoxicity in children with high blood levels of lead. Sevenchildren hospitalized with toxic lead levels, aged fiveto 12, were given 15 grams of MCP (PectaSol") per dayin three divided dosages. Blood serum and 24-hoururine excretion analysis were performed on days 0,14, 21, and 28. Two patients were released after twoweeks, three patients were released after three weeks,and two patients were released after four weeks whentheir blood lead levels had dropped below the crite-rion. All of the children had a significant increase inurinary excretion of lead. The authors recommendfurther studies to confirm the effectiveness and safetyof MCP as a lead chelator."*

Scientists believe that the ability of MCP (PectaSoP)to chelate toxic metals arises from a low molecularweight pectin that contains 10% rhamnogalactur-onan II molecular side groups, which are known toselectively bind heavy metals with a strong affinity.Subsequently, these metal-pectin complexes are elimi-nated in the urine.^

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Understanding Galectin-3

Modified citrus pectin's cancer-fighting potentialmay arise from its ability to interact with speciaii.:edproteins called galectins.'

Galactcse-binding lectins, or galectins, are cai bo-hydrate-binding proteins detected within some can-cer cells that help the cells clump or cluster togethermore easily. This may facilitate the growth and spreadof certain types of cancer. Among the galectins, sci-entists believe that galectin-3 may be particularlyimportant in numerous processes involved in cancer,such as cancer adhesion, migration, progression, andmetastasls.^^

A groviiing number cf studies suggest that increase dlevels of galectin-3 in the blood or tissue are associate dwith more frequent cancer metastasis or an increasedstage of tumor progression. '̂' There is still some con-

troversy in this area, as other data indicate that low orabsent galectin-3 levels correlate with more aggressivetumors."^^ Other findings suggest that intracellulargalectin-3 exerts an anti-apoptotic effect, protectingcancer cells against programmed cell death by affect-ing mitochcndrial function.^-''"

At this time, scientists believe that MCP may helpfight certain cancers by binding with galectin-3 tohelp decrease cancer cell aggregation, adhesion, andmetastasis.'

Further research is needed to determine if MCPcan likewise biock gaiectin-3's anti-apoptotic effects.Such a finding would represent a breakthrough in can-cer therapy, pointing to a potentially synergistic role ofMCP in combination with other cancer therapies thattarget mitochondrial function.

Using Modified Citrus PectinResearch indicates that MCP may hold health appli-

cations in significantly increasing the urinary excre-tion of metals"^"* and in inhibiting tumor growth andmetastasis.'*^"''

Side effects from citrus pectin are rare and occurprimarily in patients with citi-us fioiit allergies."^

According to the Natural Standards Monograph onMCP, "some experts caution that neither citius pectinnor all 'modified' citrus pectins have the same effects

as MCP Citiois pectin does not have the short poly-saccharide chains as MCP, and 'modified' pectin couldindicate that the pectin has been alteretl in some way,but not necessarily have the shorter polysaccharidechains."^"

MCP provides superior benefits to unmodifiedcitrus pectin because its shorter, galactose-rich poly-saccharide chains ¡tllovv for better absorption and uti-lization by the body Further, its galactose-rich sidechains allow MCP to bind galactose-binding lectinson the surface of certain cancer cells to help impedecancer adhesion and metastasis.'

Make sure that the MCP you are using is one thathas been researched and studied in the various clinicaltrials discussed in this article.

Nutritional scientists recommend taking MCP onan empty stomach. Dosages range Irom 6 to 30 gramsdaily in divided doses. A typical daily dosage is 5 grams,three times daily.

ConclusionModified citrus pectin is an intriguing substance

that continues to be studied in an effort to determineits full therapeutic potential. It appears to be a prom-ising agent that can keep some advanced cancers incheck by limiiing the growtii of new tumors, and byafiecting the primary cancer as well. MCP also appearsto show some promise as a natural, non-toxic chelat-ing agent that binds to heavy metals like cadmium,ead, mercury, and arsenic and helps the body excreteI hem in the urine.

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Not all citrus pectin products are alike. Be sure toutilize modified citrus pectin (MCP) containing shortpolysaccharide chains such as the preparations uti-lized in the clinical studies discussed in this article.Scientists continue to refine MCP preparations, whichmay also result in greater efficacy. •

If you have any questions on the scientificcontent of this article, please call a Life Extension

Health Advisor at 1-800-226-2370.

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