Mitigating the harmful effects of Galectin-3 with Modified Citrus Pectin
03/27/2013
Issac Eliaz, MD, LAc, MS
integrative physician who treats cancer and chronic illness
Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) is a proven natural galectin-3 inhibitor


GALECTIN-3
strong correlation between many chronic/life-threatening dzs and elevated levels of circulating galectin-3
at normal levels, galectin-3 is beneficial
a signaling molecule, helps reg the cell cycle, cell growth, development, communication
part of the inflammation and repair process
CAN TRIGGER: cancer metastasis, heart disease, chronic inflammation and fibrosis, kidney injury, ulcerative colitis, cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, and a host of other chronic conditions
new class of diseases known as “Elevated Galectin-3 Diseases” will be established for dx and tx

SCREENING
FDA approved serum assay to measure galectin-3
as a way to evaluate cardiovascular disease risk and progression
easy and inexpensive test
covered by most health insurances for CV screening and prognosis
elevated galectin-3 is recognized as a “culprit” biomarker (rather than a “bystander” biomarker such as CRP)
elevated galectin-3 is both a cause and an effect of mets and inflam/fibrosis

GALECTIN-3
naturally occurring beta-galactoside binding protein
fuels the progression of inflammation to fibrosis, tumor formation and metastasis
elevated levels increase overall mortality 3-fold in the general population
can circulate freely through the blood system
can be expressed in the nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondrion, cell surface, and extracellular space
role in cancer well documented, cancer cells have it on their surface
galectin-3 acts as a cell binder, allowing cancer cells to aggregate, attach to endothelium and metastasize
also a major factor in angiogenesis
advances chronic inflammation in many systems: hepatic, renal, cardiac, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and other
activates resting fibroblasts into matrix-producing fibroblasts after being secreted into the ECM

increased risk of death in populations experiencing acute and chronic decompensated heart failure
involved with heart failure fibrogenesis, myofibroblast proliferation, adverse ventricular and tissue remodeling, etc

MODIFIED CITRUS PECTIN (MCP)
Proven natural galectin-3 blocker
naturally occurring soluble fiber from the peels of citrus such as lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits

regular pectin HELPS cleanse the digestive tract, binds environmental toxins such as heavy metals, radioactive isotopes as demonstrated in the tragic Chernobyl aftermath
unmodified pectin molecules are too big to enter the bloodstream. This has been solved with the development of

MCP is significantly smaller form of pectin molecule with enhanced molecular characteristics
uses: selective immune enhancement, protection against organ fibrosis and metastatic cancer
MCP is naturally attracted to galectin-3 molecules
binds excess galectin-3
blocks inflammatory, fibrotic and pro-cancer effects g3
shown in multiple studies to inhibit growth and metastasis of cancer, reverse chronic inflammation and fibrosis, including kidney injury, vascular fibrosis and others.

KIDNEY DZ
2011 study
MCP binding with galectin-3 was effective in reducing kidney injury
MCP-->decrease in macrophages, pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis

SOURCE
http://www.naturopathic.org/blog_home.asp?Display=1439