Modified citrus pectin is a plant-based dietary supplement with very preliminary evidence of anticancer and antimetastatic effects.
How do experts use modified citrus pectin?
Integrative experts provide recommendations for modified citrus pectin in treating people with cancer. Learn more about the approaches and meanings of recommendations: Integrative Oncology Programs and Expert Guidelines ›
Published protocols, programs, and approaches
These protocolsa package of therapies combining and preferably integrating various therapies and practices into a cohesive design for care, programs, and approaches by leaders in integrative cancer care use or recommend modified citrus pectin is not mentioned in any of the practice guidelines that we consulted..
We do not recommend specific integrative protocols or programs but provide information for you to evaluate with your healthcare team.
Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, and Karolyn Gazella
Alschuler LN, Gazella KA. The Definitive Guide to Cancer, 3rd Edition: An Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment, and Healing. Berkeley, California: Celestial Arts. 2010.
Alschuler LN, Gazella KA. The Definitive Guide to Thriving after Cancer: A Five-Step Integrative Plan to Reduce the Risk of Recurrence and Build Lifelong Health. Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press. 2013.
Uses of modified citrus pectin:
- Melanoma
- Prostate cancer
Keith Block, MD
Block KI. Life over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Care. New York: Bantam Dell. 2009.
The integrative Block Program has recommendations to people who are at different places along the cancer continuum:
- Those who’ve been recently diagnosed
- Those in treatment
- Those who’ve concluded treatment and need to remain vigilant to prevent recurrence
Uses of modified citrus pectin:
- Diarrhea
- Reduce platelet aggregation to reduce risk of blood clots
Barbara MacDonald, ND, LAc
MacDonald B. The Breast Cancer Companion—A Complementary Care Manual: Third Edition. Self-published. 2016.
Naturopathic physician Barbara MacDonald provides information about breast cancer, its conventional treatment, and natural approaches to enhancing treatment, managing side effects, reducing risk of recurrence, and healthy living after cancer treatment is completed.
Dr. MacDonald recommends using modified citrus pectin before surgery for people who have an unusual delay between biopsy and surgery or who already know that lymph nodes are involved, and then after surgery until the pathology report is received, until other treatment such as chemotherapy is started, or longer if lymph nodes were positive.
Neil McKinney, BSc, ND
McKinney N. Naturopathic Oncology, Fourth Edition. Victoria, BC, Canada: Liaison Press. 2020.
This book includes descriptions and uses of many natural and complementary protocols for cancer in general and for specific cancers. It also includes information on integrative support during conventional cancer treatment.
Uses of modified citrus pectin:
- General cancer
- Breast cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Lung cancer
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Sarcoma
- Skin cancer
Gurdev Parmar, ND, FABNO, and Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO
Parmar G, Kaczor T. Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology: A Desktop Guide of Integrative Cancer Care. 1st edition. Medicatrix Holdings Ltd. 2020.
This book provides information on the treatment of 24 cancers, plus the most effective treatments of the most common symptoms affecting cancer patients while they undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery.
Use modified citrus pectin during active surveillance of prostate cancer
Other expert assessments
Moss Reports
The Moss Reports conclude that modified citrus pectin has anticancer properties.1Moss R. Modified Citrus Pectin Fights Cancer Metastases. Viewed April 6, 2023.
Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians
Modified citrus pectin is one of the most frequently identified interventions used by members of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians in a 2018 survey.2Seely D, Ennis JK, McDonell E, Zhao L. Naturopathic oncology care for thoracic cancers: a practice survey. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2018 Sep;17(3):793-805.
Dosing
Standardized dosing has not been established. Two studies assessed in this review used about 5 g MCP 3 times a day.3Azémar M, Hildenbrand B, Haering B, Heim ME, Unger C. Clinical benefit in patients with advanced solid tumors treated with modified citrus pectin: a prospective pilot study. Clinical Medicine: Oncology. 2007;1:S285; Keizman D, Frenkel M et al. Modified citrus pectin treatment in non-metastatic biochemically relapsed prostate cancer: results of a prospective phase II study. Nutrients. 2021 Nov 28;13(12):4295.
General information about dosing
Find general dosing guidelines regarding natural products and supplements in Dosing Guidelines ›
References