Key Ingredient for Ultimate Immune System Support
Citrus pectin has long been used to support digestive health; however, the molecules are too large to enter circulation to have a systemic effect. That means citrus pectin is limited to GI support alone. Thanks to innovative technology, citrus pectin can now be modified to reduce the size and structure of the pectin molecules for optimal absorption and efficacy. Because of this technological advancement, modified citrus pectin can support health on many levels, including immunity.*
Preliminary studies demonstrate that modified citrus pectin (MCP) can support the activation of human T-helper and inducer cells, T-cytotoxic cells, B cells, and Natural Killer (NK) cells. According to a 2011 study published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which evaluated the immunostimulatory properties of MCP on human blood samples, there was a ten-fold increase in NK cellular activity and a 53.6 percent increase in the NK cellular functional ability.*
The polysaccharides of the specific form of MCP used in this study connect with different receptors on the membranes of immune cells, which then activates those cells. “What I found impressive was the selectivity, and in those cases the magnitude of the effect,” said Steven J. Melnick, PhD, MD, one of the researchers from the 2011 study. “For example, polysaccharides derived from mushroom species are known for their immunomodulatory effect. However, in my experience, those effects are considerably lower than observed in the case of T cytotoxic and NK cell activation with this Modified Citrus Pectin.”*
More recent cellular studies have confirmed these effects, as well as modified citrus pectin’s ability to support inflammatory pathways. This makes sense as immunity and inflammation go hand in hand. In addition, a study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine involving hospitalized children who had high heavy metal levels showed MCP effectively demonstrated its potential role in supporting the detoxification pathway.*
Selected References:
Abu-Elsaad NM, Elkashef WF. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. 2016;94(5):554-62.
Leclere L, Fransolet M, Cote F, et al. PLoS One. 2015;10(3).
Ramachandran C, Wilk BJ, Hotchkiss A, et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;11:59.
Ramachandran C, Wilk B, Melnick SJ, Eliaz I. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2017;2017.
Zhao ZY, Liang L, Fran X, et al. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2008;14(4):34[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
