“One day, they will find out there is a cure for cancer in the peel of an orange.”
I’ll never forget these words. They came from Dr. Ruth Cohen, a neighbor during my childhood in Israel some 50 years ago. In a country treasured for its award-winning citrus fruit, she and her husband Leo were organic chemists specializing in citrus pectin.
Decades later, I began to see just how true Ruth’s statement was. What once seemed like wishful thinking was becoming a reality with the discovery of a natural compound from citrus pith—a modified form of citrus pectin (MCP) that’s bioavailable in the blood and delivers supercharged health benefits.
As a physician who has studied MCP extensively and used it in a clinical setting for 30+ years, I believe this one-of-a-kind compound is the single most important daily supplement for long-term health.
This anti-inflammatory nutrient has the power to thwart certain disease processes, bind and remove toxins, and promote healing from serious health issues, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, brain inflammation, and chronic kidney disease.
Derived from citrus peels (oranges, lemons, and limes—no grapefruit), this patented ingredient actively promotes optimal health and aging by transforming your health on the cellular level. There are more than 100 published studies that support its effectiveness .
What exactly is MCP and how can it help you feel better and stay healthy? I am excited to share eight ways in which MCP can benefit your life right now.
1. Galectin-3 Regulation and Cancer
The positive effects associated with MCP are due to a specific mechanism of action—its novel capability to inhibit the devastating effects of Galectin-3. Produced naturally by the body in small amounts, Galectin-3 is a protein involved in stimulating healing during extreme physical or emotional threats such as serious illnesses or traumas. The problem is Galectin-3 can spike very quickly and start a cascade of immune and inflammatory responses. Research shows that controlling Galectin-3 delivers significant benefits to tissues and organs, helping prevent cancer progression and other diseases. And MCP is the most-researched natural Galectin-3 blocker available today.
In the past few decades, hundreds of studies have found that Galectin-3 plays a primary role in cancer formation, proliferation, metastasis, and immune system evasion. In small amounts, Galectin-3 aids cellular communication, as well as healthy cellular growth and development. However, large-scale studies show that unhealthy Galectin-3 expression indirectly promotes abnormal cell behaviors involving inflammation and fibrosis, uncontrolled abnormal cell growth, colony formation (tumors), and metastasis. For this reason, Galectin-3 has been termed the “guardian of the tumor microenvironment.” Because MCP is small enough to enter the bloodstream and is naturally attracted to Galectin-3, it will bind and inhibit rogue Galectin-3 molecules. This is the main mechanism by which MCP helps prevent the growth and spread of cancer, as well as other chronic degenerative conditions.
A blood test that measures circulating levels of Galectin-3 is approved by the FDA and covered by most health insurance. This test can also help to determine risks of cancer metastasis and provide other valuable insights such as heart health. Talk to your doctor about getting the test, available through Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp.
2. Biochemically Relapsed Prostate Cancer (BRPC) & Breast Cancer
Landmark research shows MCP offers significant promise for men with biochemically relapsed prostate cancer (BRPC). One study in particular highlights MCP’s potential as a nutritional intervention. Over 18 months, researchers monitored 59 patients with BRPC who regularly consumed 4.8 grams of MCP three times a day. The first six-month results, published in October 2021, showed promising outcomes. Of the participants, 78% responded positively to MCP, with 58% experiencing decreased or stabilized PSA levels. Additionally, 75% saw an improvement in PSADT with negative scans.
For the final phase of the trial, 46 subjects continued taking MCP for an additional 12 months. Remarkably, 90% of these individuals showed improvement or stabilization in PSADT, 62% experienced decreased or stable PSA levels, and 85% showed no signs of disease progression in biochemical and scan assessments. Notably, no adverse effects or toxicity were seen throughout the study.
Additional research indicates that MCP can inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis (programmed cell death) in prostate cancer cell lines (including androgen-dependent and androgen-independent cells) and inhibit cell proliferation by reducing MAP kinase signaling—a cellular signaling process used by cancer cells to allow their spread and proliferation throughout the body.
MCP also has very important benefits in the treatment of aggressive breast cancer. In one breast cancer study, varying doses of MCP were studied on breast tumors. Results showed that MCP treatment inhibited tumor growth, with larger doses yielding stronger results. Earlier in-vitro research supported these results, revealing the same reduced angiogenesis and cancer cell adhesion, also in a dose-dependent manner.
3. Synergistic Effects with Chemotherapy and More
Clinical observations show that MCP has the power to enhance chemotherapy. It can also help the body to deal with some of chemotherapy’s harmful side effects, which often further destroy a person’s health. By using MCP in conjunction with traditional chemotherapy, a patient may receive the benefits of a synergistic action against the cancer. This synergy may allow for a lower dose of chemotherapy, less side effects, and a greater clinical outcome.
MCP can also enhance radiation treatment. One study found that MCP reduced prostate cancer cell viability and synergistically enhanced cell sensitivity to ionizing radiation. A synergistic anti-cancer effect has also been seen when MCP is used in conjunction with specialized poly-botanical formulas, to fight cancer and prevent metastasis via multiple mechanisms of action.
MCP is also synergistic with botanical formulas. Research from the Cancer Research Laboratory at Indiana University Health shows that MCP significantly boosts the anti-cancer actions of two particular botanical formulas, one for breast cancer and another for prostate cancer.
In newer research, scientists found that MCP helped enhance the effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy in cancer treatment when combined with Metformin, a drug commonly used to treat Type 2 Diabetes.
4. Brain Inflammation and Alzheimer’s
Inflammation inside the brain (neuro-inflammation) is a major contributor to cognitive loss, and other serious neurological conditions. You can address the primary trigger of neuroinflammation, Galectin-3, with MCP.
Researchers now theorize that galectin-3 plays a key role in Alzheimer’s —and that blocking it may counteract the formation and progression of this devastating neurological disease. By triggering neuro-inflammation, Galectin-3 sets off a cascade of biochemical reactions that can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. The disease can progress slowly, beginning in the brain before symptoms even appear. Inflammation whittles away brainpower in minor ways. Before you know it, these changes can accelerate into dementia.
Studies show that Alzheimer’s disease patients have much higher levels of Galectin-3 than healthy people. One study found elevated Galectin-3 in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and patients with mild cognitive impairment, suggesting how the protein plays a role in the path to Alzheimer’s. Another study showed that all subjects with Alzheimer’s had significantly higher levels of Galectin-3.
A groundbreaking study showed improvements in cognitive impairment, including subjects with type 2 diabetes, mild cognitive impairment, and high Galectin-3 levels, with Galectin-3 blockers. Diabetes is a well-known risk factor for dementia. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease has been referred to as Type 3 Diabetes because of the combination of glucose imbalance, neuroinflammation and cognitive decline.
5. Powerful Immune Support
Research demonstrates that MCP enhances immune function. More specifically, it has been shown to activate important B-cells, T-cytotoxic cells, and Natural Killer (NK) cells in a dose-dependent manner and induce a highly significant dose-dependent activation of The NK-cell’s cancer killing activity was demonstrated against live leukemia cancer cells.
Galectin-3 is present in the inflamed joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition. This suggests that Galectin-3 is associated with the development and progression of this degenerative disease. My clinical experience shows that MCP, as the best natural Galectin-3 binder, helps reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. Also, MCP has been shown to ease pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis.
6. Detoxification
Another essential benefit of MCP was revealed when science discovered this nutrient’s ability to safely and gently chelate (tightly bind & remove) heavy metals and toxins from the body. Heavy metal toxicity can be seen in everything from chronic pain and high blood pressure to a variety of neuro-degenerative conditions — and most notably, cancer. Heavy metals distort cellular communication signals, mutate DNA, impair the immune system and disrupt numerous critical biological functions. Even if your heavy metal intake is limited to minuscule amounts at a time, these metals can build up gradually in bone and soft tissue, leading to very serious conditions down the road.
Given these numerous harmful effects, the removal of toxic heavy metals is essential in reducing health risks—which is why the discovery of MCP’s chelating powers presented such an exciting advancement in the focus of my research.
7. Cardiovascular Health
MCP shows a particular affinity for protecting against and treating cardiovascular disease. In one study, MCP reduceD cardiac injury after ischemic reperfusion—the process where blood returns to tissue following a heart attack, causing damage to the tissue. By blocking galectin-3, MCP was able to protect cardiac tissue. An additional study reported that MCP decreased galectin-3-mediated abdominal aortic aneurysm development.
A separate study illustrates the groundbreaking results being achieved with MCP in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Using MCP to block galectin-3, researchers prevented myocardial hypertrophy (thickening of heart tissue) and decreased the pro-fibrotic response.
MCP has also been found to reduce the size of atherosclerotic plaques by limiting the adhesion of white blood cells to the cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels. The cytokine cardiotrophin-1 is associated with the pathophysiology of heart diseases. MCP lowers levels of galectin-3 to prevent the fibrotic and inflammatory effects of cardiotrophin-1.
8. Chronic Kidney Disease
In one kidney injury study, scientists found that MCP interrupts deadly kidney fibrosis by binding to Galectin-3, decreasing the inflammation and fibrosis in a kidney injury model. Another study found that elevated inflammatory mediators were reduced by MCP. In an experimental model of mild kidney damage, the increase in renal Galectin-3 expression paralleled renal fibrosis and inflammation; these alterations were prevented with MCP, showing that MCP helps protect against kidney damage.
In today’s world, rates of chronic and acute conditions are skyrocketing. Factors like stress, exposure to toxins, aggressive pathogens and much more form a perfect storm of inflammatory impacts that wreak havoc on your body—and overall health—all the way down to the cellular level. Over time, these impacts can lead to serious, life threatening conditions, premature aging, and a decline in overall vitality. MCP is a research-backed way to turn your health around. In my decades of clinical practice and research, I’ve never come across another supplement like MCP in terms of what it can do for your health and longevity.
References
Daniel Keizman et al. P-MCP treatment in non-metastatic biochemically relapsed prostate cancer (BRPC-M0): Final long-term results of a prospective phase II study.. J Clin Oncol 41, 162-162(2023). DOI:10.1200/JCO.2023.41.6_suppl.162
Keizman D, Frenkel M, Peer A, Rosenbaum E, Sarid D, Leibovitch I, Mano R, Yossepowitch O, Wolf I, Geva R, et al. Modified Citrus Pectin Treatment in Non-Metastatic Biochemically Relapsed Prostate Cancer: Long-Term Results of a Prospective Phase II Study. Nutrients. 2023; 15(16):3533. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15163533
Ramachandran C, Wilk BJ, Hotchkiss A, Chau H, Eliaz I, Melnick SJ. Activation of human T-helper/inducer cell, T-cytotoxic cell, B-cell, and natural killer (NK)-cells and induction of natural killer cell activity against K562 chronic myeloid leukemia cells with modified citrus pectin. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011 Aug 4;11:59. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-11-59. PMID: 21816083; PMCID: PMC3161912.
Jiang J, Eliaz I, Sliva D. 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. Integr Cancer Ther. 2013 Mar;12(2):145-52. doi: 10.1177/1534735412442369. Epub 2012 Apr 24. PMID: 22532035.
Vityala, Y. Enhancing the Efficacy of Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in Cancer Treatment with Modified Citrus Pectin and Metformin. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics (AJP). 2024 18(01).
Boza-Serrano A, et al. Galectin-3, a novel endogenous TREM2 ligand, detrimentally regulates inflammatory response in Alzheimer’s disease. Acta Neuropathol. 2019 Aug;138(2):251-273.
Wang X, Zhang S, Lin F, Chu W, Yue S. Elevated Galectin-3 Levels in the Serum of Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2015 Dec;30(8):729-32.
Yazar, T., Olgun Yazar, H. & Cihan, M. Evaluation of serum galectin-3 levels at Alzheimer patients by stages: a preliminary report. Acta Neurol Belg (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13760-020-01477-1
Ma S, Li S, Lv R, Hou X, Nie S, Yin Q. Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with serum galectin-3 level. J Diabetes Investig. 2020 Mar 20;11(5):1295–302. doi: 10.1111/jdi.13256. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32196999; PMCID: PMC7477520.
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