Modified Citrus Pectin
Summary
Modified citrus pectin is citrus pectin cut into small fragments that block galectin-3. In a 6-month placebo-controlled trial in adults with high blood pressure, 14.4 g a day did not change collagen markers (grade C). Uncontrolled studies in men with rising PSA after prostate cancer therapy reported slower PSA rises (grade D).
Key facts
- Citrus pectin modified into low-molecular-weight fragments; the trials we cite used PectaSol or PectaSol-C[1][2][5]
- In adults with hypertension and raised galectin-3, 4.8 g three times a day for 6 months did not change heart-scarring (collagen) markers versus placebo (68 randomized, 52 completed)[1][7]
- In 59 men with rising PSA after local prostate cancer therapy, PSA doubling time lengthened in 75% over 6 months, with no grade 3–4 toxicity; there was no control group[2]
- Of 39 men who continued to 18 months, 85% had a durable response with no grade 3–4 toxicity[3]
- In a 6-day pilot, 15–20 g a day raised urinary arsenic and cadmium excretion in healthy people; the study’s authors include PectaSol’s developer[5]
- 3 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedMCP is a galectin-3 antagonist. Galectin-3 is a carbohydrate-binding protein involved in cancer biology and studied as a driver of collagen build-up (fibrosis). Blocking it did not change collagen markers in the one placebo-controlled human trial.[1][2]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
At a glance: strongest evidence per outcome
| Outcome | Grade | Effect | Strongest evidence | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart | Grade C | No effect | RCT · n = 52 · 2021 | 1 row |
| Prostate (PSA) | Grade D | Improved | Open-label · n = 59 · 2021 | 2 rows |
Every graded row
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collagen (heart-scarring) markers in hypertension with raised galectin-3 | No effect | Grade C | RCT · n = 52 · 2021 Adults with hypertension and galectin-3 at or above the sex-specific median (68 randomized, 52 completed) Form: PectaSol-C modified citrus pectin · Dose: 4.8 g three times a day (14.4 g/day) · Duration: 6 months No change in collagen synthesis or turnover markers versus placebo. | 33532663 (opens PubMed)Source [1] |
| PSA doubling time after local prostate cancer therapy | Improved | Grade D | Open-label trial · n = 59 · 2021 Men with non-metastatic, biochemically relapsed prostate cancer Form: PectaSol modified citrus pectin · Dose: 4.8 g three times a day · Duration: 6 months 78% responded (stable or falling PSA in 58% or a longer PSA doubling time in 75%, with negative scans); no grade 3–4 toxicity. | 34959847 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
| PSA doubling time after local prostate cancer therapy (pilot) | Improved | Grade D | Open-label trial · n = 10 · 2003 Men with rising PSA after prostatectomy, radiation or cryosurgery (13 enrolled) Form: PectaSol modified citrus pectin · Dose: Dose not stated in the abstract · Duration: 12 months PSA doubling time lengthened in 7 of 10 men compared with before MCP. | 14663471 (opens PubMed)Source [4] |
Forms
| Form | Elemental % | Absorption (human data) | GI tolerance | Studied for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PectaSol / PectaSol-C (low-molecular-weight, low-esterified citrus pectin) | Varies[5] | The pilot study’s product had a weight-average molar mass of about 15,400; no human absorption study in our sources.[5] | No grade 3–4 toxicity over 6–18 months at 14.4 g a day in the prostate studies.[2][3] | Galectin-3/collagen markers, PSA kinetics, urinary metals |
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from 14.4 g a day (4.8 g three times a day) for 6 to 18 months, to 15–20 g a day over 6 days in a urinary-metals pilot.[1][2][3][5]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
None found in our sources.
Who should be careful
- Men with prostate cancer
- The PSA studies had no control group and measured PSA, not survival; MCP is not a substitute for oncology care.[2][4]
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
- The product label we checked says it is not recommended in pregnancy, breastfeeding or for children under 15.[6]
- Heart failure or high blood pressure
- The one placebo-controlled trial found no change in heart-scarring markers.[1]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Where to buy Modified Citrus Pectin
Products from brands we partner with that contain Modified Citrus Pectin. Listing a product is not a claim that it works; check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
- SupersmartPaid linkPectaSol3 scoops (5 g each): 15 g PectaSol modified citrus pectin; 30 servings per 454 g. Close to the 14.4 g a day used in the trials; the label suggests 15 g a day for a month, then 3–5 g a day.Shop at Supersmart (opens in new tab)Price and label checked 2026-10-11 on the brand’s site.
Partner links may earn us a commission. Learn more
Get 15% off with SMART026 (opens in new tab)15% off with code SMART026
Partner links may earn us a commission. Learn more
- Supersmart’s own terms and exclusions apply at checkout.
- 20% applies when 3 or more products ship on auto-delivery to the same address.
- The code discount and Subscribe & Save are separate offers; we don’t claim they combine.
- Offer terms from Supersmart’s site and its affiliate program, checked Oct 8, 2026. Offers can change; the brand's checkout is final.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between pectin and modified citrus pectin?
Ordinary pectin is a large fibre molecule; MCP is broken into much smaller fragments that bind galectin-3.[1][5]
Does modified citrus pectin lower galectin-3 effects on the heart?
In the only placebo-controlled trial, 14.4 g a day for 6 months did not change collagen markers in people with hypertension.[1]
Does MCP help prostate cancer?
Uncontrolled studies found slower PSA rises in many men; without a control group, they cannot show benefit on the disease itself.[2][3][4]
Does MCP remove heavy metals?
A 6-day pilot found higher urinary arsenic and cadmium excretion in healthy people; health effects were not measured.[5]
Sources
- [1]Galectin-3 Inhibition With Modified Citrus Pectin in Hypertension.. JACC Basic Transl Sci, 2021. RCT
- [2]Modified Citrus Pectin Treatment in Non-Metastatic Biochemically Relapsed Prostate Cancer: Results of a Prospective Phase II Study.. Nutrients, 2021. open-label
- [3]Modified Citrus Pectin Treatment in Non-Metastatic Biochemically Relapsed Prostate Cancer: Long-Term Results of a Prospective Phase II Study.. Nutrients, 2023. open-label
- [4]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. open-label
- [5]The effect of modified citrus pectin on urinary excretion of toxic elements.. Phytother Res, 2006. open-label
- [6]PectaSol: Supplement Facts and suggested use. Supersmart, 2026. label
- [7]Galectin-3 Inhibition With Modified Citrus Pectin in Hypertension (PMC full text: enrolment and dosing). JACC Basic Transl Sci, 2021. RCT
What changed
- First draft. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, year and journal taken from the PubMed record) and abstracts read for each cited row. Product details in Where to buy read from the brand page on the date shown. Participant numbers and dose for source 1 taken from its PMC full text. Self-reviewed in a second strict pass, then checked by an independent adversarial fact-check against the PubMed abstracts and live product pages. No credentialed medical reviewer yet.