Pectin supplement health benefit, should you
take this product, and if so how much?
June 20 2017 by
Ray
Sahelian, M.D.
Pectin is a grouping of acidic structural
polysaccharides, found in fruits and vegetables and mainly prepared from 'waste'
citrus peel and apple pomace. Grapefruit pectin and apple pectin supplements are
sold in health food stores.
Pectin has many health benefits including a prebiotic effect, lowering
cholesterol
and glucose levels and may also have potential for weight management. Diet Rx
has apple pectin as one of the ingredients.
Appetite suppression, does it help
in reducing food consumption?
J Food Science. 2010. A low-calorie beverage supplemented with low-viscosity
pectin reduces energy intake at a subsequent meal.
Grapefruit
pectin and cholesterol
Eur J Clin Nutrition. 2012. Cholesterol-lowering properties of different pectin
types in mildly hyper-cholesterolemic men and women.
The effects of grapefruit pectin on patients at risk for coronary heart
disease without altering diet or lifestyle.
Clin Cardiology. 1988.
The effect of grapefruit pectin (Citrus paradisi) on plasma cholesterol,
triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the low-density
lipoprotein:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was studied. The study
design was a 16-week double-blind, crossover (placebo or pectin) using 27 human
volunteers screened to be at medium to high risk for coronary heart disease due
to hypercholesterolemia. The study did not interfere with the subjects' current
diet or lifestyle. Grapefruit pectin supplementation decreased plasma
cholesterol 7%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 11%, and the low-density
lipoprotein:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio 10%. The other plasma
lipid fractions studied showed no significant differences.
Pectin and
cancer prevention or treatment
UK researchers found that particular components of pectin bind to, and possibly
inhibit, a protein believed to ease the spread of cancer throughout the body.
Modified forms of pectin may perhaps be beneficial in prevention or treatment of
cancer. Modified pectin can kill or prevent the spread of tumor cells in the
test tube. Certain sugars in pectin bind to galectin-3, a protein on the surface
of tumor cells that helps the cells grow and spread throughout the body, and
thereby slow or even reverse the spread of cancer cells, Gunning explained. The
FASEB Journal, online 2008.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011. 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. MCP has immunostimulatory properties in human blood samples, including the activation of functional NK cells against K562 leukemic cells in culture. Unsaturated oligogalacturonic acids appear to be the immunostimulatory carbohydrates in MCP.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Zhonghua Wei Chang Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2015. Efficacy of pectin in the treatment
of diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome. To evaluate the efficacy of
pectin, a kind of soluble dietary fiber, in diarrhea predominant irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS). A total of 87 patients with IBS-D were selected in the Jinling
Hospital between July 2011 and December 2013. Using a randomized, controlled
trial, the efficacy of pectin for IBS was prospectively evaluated. Subjects were
randomly assigned to receive 24 g pectin powder/d or a placebo. Pectin acts as a
prebiotic in specifically stimulating gut bifidobacteria in IBS-D patients and
is effective in alleviating clinical symptoms, balancing colonic microflora and
relieving systemic inflammation. In view of its ability to re-establish a
healthy gut ecosystem, pectin has the potential of being a therapeutic agent in
IBS.
Prostate cancer
Crystal Jackson, at the University of Georgia, tested different
forms of pectin - commercially available fractionated pectin powder, citrus
pectin (CP), and pH-modified CP (PectaSol), was tested on hormone- (androgen)
responsive and androgen-independent human prostate cancer cells. Fractionated
pectin powder induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) by about 40 fold,
compared to non-treated cells, for both types of cancer cells. Chemical
treatment of the fractionated pectin powder using base (alkali) in order to remove the ester linkages of the
pectin structure destroyed the ability of the pectin to induce apoptosis.
Treatment of the pectin with pectinmethylesterase enzymes did not affect
activity, indicating that the base-sensitive linkages played an important role
in the apparent anti-cancer benefits. Both citrus pectin and the pH-modified
citrus pectin had no effect on the cancer cells, but heat treatment of citrus
pectin resulted in significant levels of apoptosis comparable to FPP.
The ingredient, with worldwide production estimated at 35,000 tonnes a year, is
currently widely used as gelling agents in jams, confectionary, and bakery
fillings, and stabilisers in yoghurts and milk drinks.
The majority of pectin used currently comes from citrus peel and apple pomace.
Other sources of the ingredient, like sugar beet and pumpkin, have remained
largely unexploited because of certain undesirable structural properties.
Pectin induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells: correlation of
apoptotic function with pectin structure.
Source: Glycobiology. 2007.
Constipation help
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2014. Clinical benefits after soluble
dietary fiber supplementation: a randomized clinical trial in adults with
slow-transit constipation/ Four-week pectin soluble dietary fiber use
accelerates colon transit time and alleviates clinical symptoms in patients with
slow-transit constipation. Additionally, supplementary fiber offers protective
effects on gut microbiota by increasing the population of healthy microflora.
Apple pectin
has no influence on electrolyte levels
Effect of pectin on some electrolytes and trace elements in patients with
hyperlipoproteinemia.
Folia Med (Plovdiv). 1998.
Seventy three patients with hyperlipoproteinemia, aged from 40 to 69 years
were treated with a natural product, based on high-esterified pectin granulated
with sorbitol. The results of the comparative assessment of the electrolytes
(sodium, potassium, chloride, ionised calcium, total and ionised magnesium)
failed to reach statistical significance during the administration of the pectin
product. Neither did the serum level of trace elements (iron and copper) change
significantly during the observed period. The biochemical analysis of the serum
level of certain electrolytes and trace elements indicate that daily
administration of 15 g of high-esterified apple pectin for a three-month period
has no adverse effects. Therefore pectin products can be included in the
therapeutic schedule in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia.
Pectin not helpful in duodenal ulcer
Dietary supplementation with pectin in the maintenance treatment of duodenal
ulcer. A controlled study.
Scand J Gastroenterology. 1988.
Patients with recently healed duodenal
ulcers
diagnosed by endoscopy were
randomly allocated to receive 10 g apple pectin USP powder twice daily, 150 mg
ranitidine at night, or one tablet matching ranitidine placebo at night for 6
months. Recurrences occurred in 23 of 27 (85%) patients taking pectin, 6 of 28
(21%) patients taking ranitidine, and 20 of 28 (71%) patients taking placebo. At
the doses taken, therefore, dietary supplementation with pectin did not reduce
the incidence of duodenal ulcer relapse.
Niacin flushing
J Clin Lipidol. 2013. Apple pectin for the reduction of niacin-induced
flushing. Niacin, or vitamin B3, when used in high doses can significantly
improve the levels of all major lipoproteins. Despite these benefits, the use of
niacin is greatly limited secondary to benign yet bothersome cutaneous flushing
primarily involving the face and upper extremities. Pretreatment with aspirin or
other prostaglandin inhibitors has demonstrated significant reductions in
niacin-induced flushing (NIF), but other treatment options are needed. Clinical
and anecdotal evidence suggests the ingestion of pectin-containing fruits (eg,
apple) mitigates NIF; however, clinical trials evaluating this are nonexistent.
That pretreatment with encapsulated apple pectin would limit the incidence,
severity, time of initiation, and duration of NIF. We enrolled 100 niacin-naïve
subjects (n = 25 per group) and preteated them in a double-blind manner with
apple pectin, apple pectin + aspirin, aspirin, or placebo, followed by a
one-time 1000 mg dose of niacin extended-release (niacin ER). Subjects then
assessed major flushing parameters hourly for the next 6 hours with a validated
visual analog scale.RESULTS:Apple pectin and aspirin each significantly lowered
the duration of NIF and produced nonsignificant but positive improvements in all
other major flushing parameters compared with placebo. Apple pectin may
potentially be an alternative to aspirin for the prevention of NIF. Larger
trials are needed to further evaluate the benefit of pectin on NIF.
Questions
Q. In regular apple cider vinegar, how much pectin
(fiber) is there in a tablespoon of vinegar, and how much do you think is good
for you in a day's time.
A. Pectin is a fiber that is normally removed from
apple cider vinegar pills. We can't say how much apple cider vinegar tablets to
take, that is a personal decision.
I have been using PectaSol for the past year or so to help treat PC (I also underwent a year of ADT). In a study published in Glycobiology, the researcher came to the following conclusions: "Commercially available fractionated pectin powder (FPP) extract induced apoptosis (approximately 40-fold above non-treated cells) in both cell lines [LMCap],[LNCap C4-2] as determined by the Apoptosense assay and activation of caspase-3 and its substrate, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Conversely, citrus pectin (CP) and the ph-modified CP, PectaSol, had little or no apoptotic activity.
I have been
taking 1000 mg grapefruit pectin daily for about a month to help with high LDL
levels. On the plus side I have noticed weight loss, and the inflammation and
limitations of thumb arthritis and trigger finger totally disappeared! On the
minus side--I had developed symptoms that suggest an interstitial cystitis of
sorts. Could be coincidental. Was wondering if the acidic nature of grapefruit
pectin could be contributing and if so --what measures might you suggest to
counter this. Have discontinued GP for 2 weeks now. Cystitis symptoms have
dissipated and thumb pain/stiffness starting to return, not to original level
yet.
We have not heard of this potential side effect before and
since studies with this supplement in humans are incomplete, it is not easy to
know the causes or relationships with the symptoms you mention.
buy Grapefruit Pectin supplement, 1000 mg per tablet
Gr
apefruit Pectin is a natural fiber substance derived from the pulp and peel of the grapefruit. It is an excellent source of water-soluble fiber that has a gel-forming effect when mixed with water. It is derived from the Greek word pectos, which means solidified or gelatinated. As a dietary fiber, it supports good intestinal health.Buy Grapefruit pectin supplement pills
| Supplement Facts | ||
| Serving Size: 3 Tablets | ||
| Servings Per Container: 80 | ||
| Amount Per Serving | %DV | |
| Calories | 15 | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 3 g | 1%* |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g | 4%* |
| Soluble Fiber | 1 g | † |
| Sodium | 5 mg | <1% |
| Grapefruit Pectin Complex (yielding approximately 37% pectin) | 3 g | † |
| *Percent Daily Values (%DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie
diet. †Daily Value not established |
||
Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 or 2 grapefruit pectin capsule 1 to 2 times daily, preferably with meals.