{{Short description|More digestible form of pectin}} '''Modified citrus pectin''' (also known as '''citrus pectin''', and '''MCP''') is a modified, more digestible form of pectin. It is obtained from the peels, seeds and pulp of citrus fruits using a chemical extraction process.<ref name="gras">{{cite web|url=https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1588|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030510181653/http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=184.1588|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2003|title=Pectins, Section 184.1588|publisher=US Food and Drug Administration, Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Listing of Specific Substances Affirmed as GRAS|date=7 November 1983|access-date=22 October 2015}}</ref>
In general, pectin is a gel-forming polysaccharide from plant cell walls, especially apple and citrus fruits. Pectin is a type of viscous dietary fiber and varies in the length of polysaccharide chains. Although pectin is not digestible by humans, it can be treated to create smaller fiber fragments to increase absorbability across the small intestine epithelium.
== Description == Modified citrus pectin (also known as depolymerized pectin, fractioned pectin, modified pectin, pH-modified pectin, low molecular weight pectin, and MCP) is a more digestible form of pectin. Modified citrus pectin is composed predominantly of D-polygalacturonates, which are more easily absorbed by the human digestive system.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lara-Espinoza|first1=Claudia|last2=Carvajal-Millán|first2=Elizabeth|last3=Balandrán-Quintana|first3=René|last4=López-Franco|first4=Yolanda|last5=Rascón-Chu|first5=Agustín|date=2018-04-18|title=Pectin and Pectin-Based Composite Materials: Beyond Food Texture|journal=Molecules|volume=23|issue=4|pages=942|doi=10.3390/molecules23040942|issn=1420-3049|pmc=6017442|pmid=29670040 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
Modified citrus pectin is promoted and sold as a dietary supplement.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Eliaz|first1=Isaac|last2=Raz|first2=Avraham|date=2019-11-01|title=Pleiotropic Effects of Modified Citrus Pectin|journal=Nutrients|volume=11|issue=11|pages=2619|doi=10.3390/nu11112619|issn=2072-6643|pmc=6893732|pmid=31683865 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
== Safety and adverse effects ==
In general, pectin is considered as a safe ingredient used as emulsifiers and gelling agents in manufactured foods; accordingly, pectin and MCP are generally recognized as safe.<ref name="gras"/>
Although modified citrus pectin is more easily digested than natural citrus pectin, individuals with allergies or sensitivities to citrus may experience diarrhea or stomach discomfort when taking either type of citrus pectin.<ref name="msk">{{cite web|url=https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/pectin|title=Pectin|publisher=Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York|date=31 July 2013|access-date=22 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="Cancer Research UK">{{Cite web|title=Modified citrus pectin {{!}} Complementary and Alternative therapy {{!}} Cancer Research UK|url=https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/modified-citrus-pectin-mcp|access-date=2021-08-07|website=www.cancerresearchuk.org}}</ref>
There is no clinical evidence that modified citrus pectin is effective to treat cancer.<ref name="Cancer Research UK"/>
==See also== * List of unproven and disproven cancer treatments
== References == {{Reflist}} {{Unproven and disproven cancer treatments}}
Category:Alternative cancer treatments Category:Dietary supplements