American Chemical Society Highlights Modified Citrus Pectin as Solution to Chronic Disease Marker Galectin-3

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cancer, heart disease, chronic inflammation—these disease conditions plague humanity, causing early death and untold suffering. Slowly, scientists are uncovering their numerous causes including genetic anomalies, environmental toxins, obesity and other factors. However, a rapidly expanding body of research points to a single biological culprit that profoundly affects these and other conditions—the molecule Galectin-3.

Presented at the Annual American Chemical Society Meeting

On August 21, integrative medicine expert Isaac Eliaz, M.D., presented breakthrough research on Galectin-3 and Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP), a therapeutic carbohydrate that helps deactivate this rogue molecule, at the prestigious 244th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS). With over 164,000 active members, ACS is the world's leading scientific society, providing comprehensive access to chemistry-related information, research, funding, networking and education.

Dr. Eliaz's presentation titled, "Galectin-3 and the Role of Modified Citrus Pectin in Health and Disease," was featured as part of the ACS symposium "Renewable Biopolymers: Carbohydrates for Food, Nutrition, Health and Medicine" under the section "Chronic Disease Prevention and Therapy." Dr. Eliaz states, "It is an honor to speak at the prestigious American Chemical Society Meeting and discuss important research regarding Galectin-3 and Modified Citrus Pectin with leaders in the scientific community."

Due to the importance of the topic, Dr. Eliaz's presentation was selected for an ACS sponsored press conference and release.

Galectin-3 in Health and Disease

Dr. Eliaz emphasizes, "At healthy levels, Galectin-3 in the body is no danger at all. It helps regulate cellular growth and cell-to-cell communications. However, too much Galectin-3 can drive cancer growth and metastasis, and is a proven active marker for cardiovascular disease. This protein is involved with two of the world's most prolific killers."

In addition to cancer and heart disease, Galectin-3 has also been directly linked with the progression of chronic inflammation and fibrosis of organs and tissues, such as chronic hepatitis, kidney disease, diabetes and other degenerative conditions.

In his presentation, Dr. Eliaz described Galectin-3 and how its overabundance contributes to disease. He presented breakthrough data from a ten-year population study demonstrating that Galectin-3 levels can predict mortality regardless of age or condition. Elevated Galectin-3 can also help evaluate prognosis and clinical outcome in cancer and heart disease. In cancer patients, higher levels of Galectin-3 in the body signal a more aggressive cancer and reduce the odds of survival, as excess Galectin-3 promotes cancer cell adhesion, aggregation, tumor growth, metastasis, angiogenesis and the inhibition of programmed cell death (apoptosis).

Galectin-3 Blood Test

Recently, the FDA approved a blood serum test to easily measure circulating Galectin-3 levels. This test is covered by most health insurances for the screening of cardiovascular disease, and can also be used to evaluate the risk and prognosis of cancer and other diseases linked to chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Dr. Eliaz notes that this test is an excellent tool in the management of these and other related diseases, but emphasizes that without a solution to combat excess Galectin-3, the test may be arbitrary for some doctors and patients. However, extensive research demonstrates Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) to be the first proven solution to address elevated Galectin-3. MCP stands out as the only therapeutic agent capable of entering the blood stream to bind and block excess Galectin-3 throughout the body.

The Numerous Benefits of Modified Citrus Pectin

Derived from citrus peels, MCP is an enzymatically modified form of pectin which has a natural affinity for Galectin-3. Numerous published studies demonstrate MCP's effectiveness against cancer through its natural lectin-binding affinity which allows it to bind to excess Galectin-3 and block its harmful effects. MCP also demonstrates powerful immune enhancement benefits and is also proven to remove heavy metals from the body without affecting essential minerals.

"Modified citrus pectin performs a number of remarkable tasks," says Dr. Eliaz. "By binding and blocking Galectin-3, it blocks cancer cell aggregation, keeps cancer cells from docking with blood vessels and prevents angiogenesis, the blood vessel development so crucial to cancer metastasis."

Dr. Eliaz shared key research highlights from numerous published studies demonstrating MCP's powerful anticancer activity and its synergy with other anticancer therapies. One of the most recent 2012 studies, published in Cell Biology International, showed that MCP vastly improved the effects of Doxorubicin, allowing for lower doses of the toxic chemotherapy to be used more effectively. He also shared published research demonstrating MCP's ability to enhance the effects of two anticancer botanical formulas, for breast and prostate cancer. Other evidence has shown that MCP advances treatment against chemotherapy-resistant cancers and can protect against cellular damage often caused by chemotherapy and radiation.

"Because cancer tends to become resistant to a single treatment, MCP has become an important component in integrative anti-cancer protocols," says Dr. Eliaz. "It has been proven effective in multiple studies, without toxic side effects."

In the lecture, Dr. Eliaz continued to illuminate how MCP can enhance immunity, remove environmental toxins from the body and help protect against injury. Overall, he stressed the significance of Galectin-3 as a disease biomarker.

"This protein has been associated with many chronic and life threatening conditions, most notably cancer and heart disease," says Dr. Eliaz. "By measuring the amount of Galectin-3, and using MCP to block the harmful effects of this rogue molecule, we can do much to help treat and prevent a number of life threatening illnesses."

For more information on Modified Citrus Pectin call (707) 583-8619, or email [email protected].

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