An Unexpected Effect of Pectin

A Science Daily article entitled Common Component Of Fruits, Vegetables Kills Prostate Cancer Cells reveals that, according to results of a University of Georgia study, a very common component of fruits and vegetables known as pectin, kills prostate cancer cells. While pectin is naturally found in fruits it is also an important component of prepared foods like jams and jellies.

Exposing prostate cancer cells to pectin in the controlled setting of a lab reduced the cancer cells by as much as 40%. Pectin seemed to trigger a cellular process known as apoptosis or cellular suicide. Encouragingly enough pectin killed cells that have been difficult to treat with medications currently used. Another bit of good news was the observance that pectin did not induce apoptosis for non-cancerous cells.

This study adds to a growing list of health benefits associated with pectin. They include:

* lower cholesterol levels (in humans)
* lower glucose levels (in humans)
* reduced metastasis and prevention of lung and colon tumors (rats and cell cultures)
* induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells

Pectin is a complex molecule able to bind to multiple cell sites enabling a variety of cellular responses. Pectin supplements are not being advised at this point. However, by eating enough fruits and vegetables one can obtain an ample amount in the diet. Eating more of these food groups has been advised for some time now.

The research cited in this article was the work of Debra Mohnen and her colleagues at the University of Georgia. Vijay Kumar, who is chief of research and development at the VA Medical Center located in Augusta, Georgia, was also involved.