Home Ingredients Modified Citrus Pectin
Detox & Cleanse

Modified Citrus Pectin

Evidence Level
Limited
2 Clinical Trials
2 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Modified citrus pectin is citrus peel pectin broken down by heat and pH into shorter, low-molecular-weight fragments; the version used in the metal excretion study averaged about 15 kDa. Its shortened, galactose-rich chains bind galectin-3, a protein involved in scarring and inflammation, which is the basis for most research interest. Human data are thin. In a small uncontrolled study in healthy adults, six days of modified citrus pectin raised urinary excretion of arsenic and cadmium, while a rise in lead did not reach statistical significance. A six-month randomized placebo-controlled trial in adults with high blood pressure found no change in collagen turnover markers, and the remaining human work is small uncontrolled cancer research, some of it led by the product's developer.

Studied Dose 15 g per day for five days and 20 g on day six in the metal excretion study; 4.8 g three times daily for six months in the blood pressure trial.
Active Compound Low-molecular-weight, low-esterified citrus pectin fragments rich in galactose side chains (for example PectaSol).

Benefits

Increases urinary excretion of some heavy metals

In a small uncontrolled pilot in healthy adults, 15 g a day of modified citrus pectin raised urinary arsenic on day one and cadmium on day six; lead rose but not significantly. There was no placebo group and no measure of stored body burden, so it shows movement into urine rather than a proven reduction in stored metal.

Supported by Trial 1

Binds galectin-3

The galactose side chains on the shortened pectin fragments latch onto the carbohydrate-binding site of galectin-3, a protein linked to scarring and inflammation. This is the ingredient's main lab mechanism, but in a six-month placebo-controlled trial in adults with high blood pressure it did not change collagen turnover markers.

Supported by Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Galectin-3 carbohydrate recognition

Breaking the pectin into smaller pieces exposes galactose-rich side chains that fit the carbohydrate recognition site of galectin-3, which is proposed to block galectin-3 signaling involved in cell adhesion and scar tissue formation.

2

Metal binding

The excretion study's authors suggest the metal-binding effect may partly come from rhamnogalacturonan II, a pectin component previously shown to bind metals, which made up about 10 percent of the material tested.

3

Reduced molecular weight enables absorption

Native pectin is too large to cross the gut wall. The developer describes the low molecular weight and low esterification as allowing part of the material to be absorbed from the small intestine, which separates it from ordinary pectin fiber.

Clinical trials

1
Modified Citrus Pectin and Urinary Excretion of Heavy Metals (Pilot)
PubMed

Uncontrolled pilot study of oral modified citrus pectin (PectaSol), 15 g/day for five days and 20 g on day six, with 24-hour urine collected at baseline, day 1 and day 6. (Eliaz et al. 2006, Phytother Res)

Healthy adults with a normal body load of metals.

Urinary arsenic rose 130 percent in the first 24 hours and cadmium 150 percent on day six (both significant); lead rose 560 percent but did not reach statistical significance (p<0.08). There was no control group, no measure of stored body burden and no clinical endpoint, and the lead author developed the commercial product.

2
Galectin-3 Inhibition in Hypertension (Randomized Trial)
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept trial of modified citrus pectin (PectaSol-C) 4.8 g three times daily for six months. (Lau et al. 2021, JACC Basic Transl Sci)

68 adults with high blood pressure and elevated galectin-3 levels; 52 completed (22 on modified citrus pectin, 30 on placebo).

Modified citrus pectin did not change collagen turnover markers, the main outcome, compared with placebo.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Bloating, gas and loose stools are possible at the 15 g/day range, as with other large soluble fiber doses.
Rare allergic reactions in people sensitive to citrus.
Long-term safety at multi-gram daily doses has not been formally studied in placebo-controlled trials.
Not a replacement for medical treatment of diagnosed heavy metal poisoning.

Important Drug interactions

Oral medications generally: large fiber doses can slow or reduce absorption, so separate doses by two hours.
Digoxin and levothyroxine: narrow-margin drugs; keep them well apart from fiber supplements and ask your doctor.
Prescription chelators such as DMSA or EDTA: no data on combining them.
Mineral supplements including iron and zinc: take at a different time.

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Frequently asked questions about Modified Citrus Pectin

What is Modified Citrus Pectin?

Modified citrus pectin is citrus peel pectin broken down by heat and pH into shorter, low-molecular-weight fragments; the version used in the metal excretion study averaged about 15 kDa.

What is Modified Citrus Pectin used for?

Modified Citrus Pectin is researched primarily for Detox & Cleanse. In a small uncontrolled pilot in healthy adults, 15 g a day of modified citrus pectin raised urinary arsenic on day one and cadmium on day six; lead rose but not significantly.

What is the recommended dosage of Modified Citrus Pectin?

The clinically studied dose is 15 g per day for five days and 20 g on day six in the metal excretion study; 4.8 g three times daily for six months in the blood pressure trial. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Modified Citrus Pectin safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for Modified Citrus Pectin include: Bloating, gas and loose stools are possible at the 15 g/day range, as with other large soluble fiber doses. Rare allergic reactions in people sensitive to citrus. It may also interact with some medications. Modified Citrus Pectin is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Modified Citrus Pectin interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Oral medications generally: large fiber doses can slow or reduce absorption, so separate doses by two hours. Digoxin and levothyroxine: narrow-margin drugs; keep them well apart from fiber supplements and ask your doctor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Modified Citrus Pectin?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Modified Citrus Pectin as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 2 study summaries and 5 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(5 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Eliaz I, Hotchkiss AT, Fishman ML, Rode D. The effect of modified citrus pectin on urinary excretion of toxic elements. Phytother Res. 2006;20(10):859-64. doi: 10.1002/ptr.1953.PubMedUsed to support: Uncontrolled six-day pilot in healthy adults given 15 g/day of modified citrus pectin (20 g on day six): urinary arsenic (130 percent, day 1) and cadmium (150 percent, day 6) rose significantly; lead rose 560 percent but not significantly (p<0.08). The lead author developed the commercial product.
  2. Lau ES, Liu E, Paniagua SM, Sarma AA, Zampierollo G, López B, Díez J, Wang TJ, Ho JE. Galectin-3 Inhibition With Modified Citrus Pectin in Hypertension. JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2021;6(1):12-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2020.10.006.PubMedUsed to support: Six-month randomized placebo-controlled trial of 4.8 g modified citrus pectin three times daily in 68 adults with hypertension and elevated galectin-3: no change in collagen turnover markers versus placebo.
  3. Eliaz I, Raz A. Pleiotropic Effects of Modified Citrus Pectin. Nutrients. 2019;11(11):2619. doi: 10.3390/nu11112619.PubMedUsed to support: Background review of galectin-3 binding, absorption and other proposed effects of modified citrus pectin, written by the developer of a commercial modified citrus pectin product (who discloses owning a supplement company).
  4. Guess BW, Scholz MC, Strum SB, Lam RY, Johnson HJ, Jennrich RI. Modified citrus pectin (MCP) increases the prostate-specific antigen doubling time in men with prostate cancer: a phase II pilot study. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2003;6(4):301-4. doi: 10.1038/sj.pcan.4500679.PubMedUsed to support: Uncontrolled phase II pilot in 10 evaluable men with rising PSA after prostate cancer treatment: PSA doubling time lengthened in 7 of 10 after 12 months. A blood marker change in a small uncontrolled study; not evidence that modified citrus pectin treats any disease.
  5. Keizman D, Frenkel M, Peer A, Rosenbaum E, Sarid D, Leibovitch I, Mano R, Yossepowitch O, Wolf I, Geva R, Margel D, Rouvinov K, Stern A, Dresler H, Kushnir I, Eliaz I. Modified Citrus Pectin Treatment in Non-Metastatic Biochemically Relapsed Prostate Cancer: Long-Term Results of a Prospective Phase II Study. Nutrients. 2023;15(16):3533. doi: 10.3390/nu15163533.PubMedUsed to support: Single-arm phase II study in men with rising PSA after prostate cancer treatment (39 began a further 12 months of treatment, for 18 months in total); the developer of the product is an author. With no control group it cannot establish a treatment effect and is not the basis of any claim on this page.