Modified citrus pectin (MCP) usually comes in powder form. Some say it may lower cholesterol and help fight against prostate cancer and other cancers.

Natural pectin is a sugary carbohydrate found in ripe fruits. Modified pectin is a powder you can buy at the pharmacy.

Jams and preserves use natural pectin as a setting agent for fruits that don’t contain enough of it. Stone fruits, berries, and most citrus fruits already contain quite a lot.

Below, read the answers to eight questions about MCP, including information about MCP’s potential health benefits, how to take it, and any risks.

Your intestines can’t absorb pectin in its natural form. This makes it an effective source of fiber.

To make MCP, manufacturers process the pectin from citrus, making the molecules smaller. This makes it easier for your body to absorb, helping you benefit from more than just pectin’s fibrous properties.

If you shop for MCP, you’ll likely see a variety of health claims, such as benefits for cellular health and ridding your body and blood of heavy metals.

According to a 2019 review, MCP may have beneficial effects on your heart, including helping to prevent heart inflammation and scarring.

Animal studies in the review suggest that MCP may help prevent kidney scarring, inflammation, and damage. It also helped to improve kidney function in rats with high blood pressure.

Other potential benefits of MCP include:

  • helping with liver scarring and regeneration
  • increasing discharge of heavy metals through urine
  • decreasing lead levels in the blood
  • helping to modulate the immune system

However, the review authors highlight that some research has conflicting results, and more research is necessary to understand the full extent of MCP’s therapeutic potential.

Some people with cancer may take MCP as a supplement because they’ve heard it reduces tumor growth.

However, the charity Cancer Research UK highlights that professionals consider MCP an alternative therapy, and there is not enough evidence from scientific research to suggest that it treats cancer.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) summarizes research suggesting that MCP may help to protect against lung, prostate, colon, and other cancers. It may do this by triggering cell death and affecting the spread of tumor cells.

Research into MCP and leukemia also suggests that MCP may stimulate the immune system, triggering natural killer cells in leukemia cell systems.

Despite these potential effects, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved MCP as a treatment for any medical condition, including cancer. Further research is necessary to understand the extent of its benefits as a remedy for various cancers.

Pectin acts as an effective source of dietary fiber. Research links a diet high in soluble fiber to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which might explain why retailers market MCP as an aid for lowering cholesterol.

A 2018 review suggests pectin may improve cholesterol levels by enhancing the process of excess cholesterol leaving the body and preventing cholesterol absorption.

However, more research is necessary to understand how MCP affects cholesterol, including whether there is an ideal supplemental dosage.

You can buy MCP as a powder or in capsule form at health food markets, stores that sell supplements, and online.

However, the NCI highlights that dietary supplements, such as MCP supplements, do not require premarket FDA approval unless they make specific health claims about prevention or treatment.

Ingredients in supplements can vary widely, and there’s no guarantee that the ingredient information on the packaging is accurate.

It’s always worth speaking with your doctor or another healthcare professional before adding a new supplement to your diet.

Research typically suggests that most people tolerate MCP well. However, side effects may include:

If you experience side effects like these, stopping MCP may help to relieve them.

If you use the powdered form of MCP, be careful not to accidentally inhale it, as the dust may irritate your lungs.

MCP may interfere with the absorption of nutrients because it can be a source of dietary fiber. More research is necessary to understand if MCP may interact with any medications and whether it is safe if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

As with any supplement, consult your doctor before using MCP.

Since MCP is a dietary supplement, the FDA does not regulate or approve its safety or effectiveness.

The FDA has not approved MCP as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition.

Research suggests people typically tolerate MCP well, but it’s also not a miracle drug. More research is necessary to understand its full potential as a remedy against cancer and other health conditions.

The FDA does not approve MCP supplements as a medical treatment for any condition.

If you want to start MCP supplements, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor about how to start. They can advise you on the best dosage and help to monitor any side effects.