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Citrus Pectin May Have Anti-Cancer Benefits

Grandma always said to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Now scientists at the University of Maryland have completed a comprehensive review of the benefits of modified citrus pectin, and it seems that Grandma was offering good advice.

Modified citrus pectin (MCP) is a natural substance made from fruit peels and altered to be better absorbed into the body. Evidence suggests that this soluble fiber has anti-cancer benefits. Not only does it seem to help block the development of blood vessels that feed tumors, it also encourages cancer cells to commit suicide.

Modified citrus pectin may also improve the effectiveness of some chemotherapy agents and provide protective anti-inflammatory action. The research so far is preliminary and we don’t yet know if this will work well in actual human patients with cancer. Nonetheless, it is worth keeping an eye out for further research–and eating your fruits and veggies!

[American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, April 18, 2013]

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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