Picture this: you’re a man who’s been through the uphill battle of prostate cancer and have come out victorious. You’ve had surgery or undergone radiation, and now you’re told that the cancer may have made a comeback. This is known as “biochemical relapse,” and it’s not an easy condition to treat. But thanks to recent research, there may be hope in the form of an unlikely candidate – modified citrus pectin (MCP).
Modified Citrus Pectin in Clinical Trials
Modified citrus pectin’s effectiveness in treating prostate cancer isn’t just based on assumptions. Interim results of an ongoing clinical trial have recently been published, showing promising results for men with recurrent prostate cancer after surgical or radiation treatment. In this groundbreaking study, MCP was demonstrated to slow the PSA doubling time in 79% of the men taking the supplement. Furthermore, the cancer didn’t grow or grew smaller in 62% of the participants.
These results provide hope to thousands of men worldwide with very few options, indicating that MCP has potential as an integrative approach to prostate cancer treatment.
The Importance of PSA Monitoring
PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, is a protein produced by the prostate gland in small amounts. It is used to monitor prostate health and is measured through regular blood tests. Ideally, PSA levels should remain at undetectable levels. A rising PSA beyond normal limits indicates a need to investigate the prostate further since elevated PSA can be indicative of prostate cancer, chronic inflammation, or infection.
When it comes to men with a history of prostate cancer, an increasing PSA level implies that the cancer has returned. The rate of blood PSA level increase, called the PSA doubling time, is an indication of how aggressive the cancer growth is. A rapid PSA doubling time could mean bad news, so the ability of MCP to slow down this doubling time is a major breakthrough.
The Science Behind Modified Citrus Pectin
MCP is sourced from the pith—or the spongy white part—of citrus fruit peels. It undergoes a modification process that allows it to be absorbed from the digestive tract into general circulation, where it exerts beneficial effects throughout the body.
While numerous preclinical (animal) studies have demonstrated MCP’s usefulness for a variety of conditions, including inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, cancer, and immunity, it’s the significant results of the ongoing human clinical trial that are making headlines. Because of this, MCP is becoming increasingly popular as a daily nutritional supplement for individuals with chronic conditions as well as those simply interested in strategies for healthy aging.
Conclusion: Modified Citrus Pectin and Prostate Cancer
Nobody expected that the simple peel of a citrus fruit would hold such health-promoting potential. And yet, the interim results of the ongoing clinical trial are backing up what previous smaller studies have suggested—that MCP has the potential to be a powerful ally in the fight against recurrent prostate cancer.
This is excellent news for the thousands of men worldwide who faced limited options for treatment. Now, with modified citrus pectin showing significant promise in slowing PSA doubling time and reducing cancer growth, there’s reason to hold onto hope for a healthier future.
If you’d like to learn more about modified citrus pectin and its potential benefits, visit dreliaz.org and keep an eye on forthcoming research in this exciting area of integrative medicine.
