Generality
Pectin is a soluble fiber contained in the primary cell wall of plants. Citrus fruits are particularly rich in it, from which it is usually obtained for its numerous industrial applications.
Indications
Why is pectin used? What is it for?
By virtue of its chemical-physical properties, pectin is currently used in the clinical and nutritional fields as a cholesterol-lowering, cardioprotective, alvus regulating and anti-tumor agent against colorectal carcinoma.
For these reasons, pectin is successfully used in treatment and prevention:
- Dell "hypercholesterolemia;
- Of dysmetabolisms;
- Constipation and diarrhea.
The high viscosity and the other rheological properties have allowed pectin to be included also in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetological industry.
Benefits and Properties
What benefit has pectin shown during the studies?
There are several properties of pectin documented by various studies.
Pectin and hypercholesterolemia
The cholesterol-lowering properties would be ascribable to the chemical-physical characteristics of the pectin.
Reached the intestinal environment, in fact, the pectin would determine the formation of a very high viscosity product, capable of trapping dietary cholesterol, bile salts and other nutrients in its meshes.
According to various authors, the ingestion of 15 g of pectin per day, adequately divided between meals, would determine, in just a few weeks, an appreciable reduction, almost 15%, in blood cholesterol concentrations.
These activities would justify the cardio- and vaso-protective role of pectin.
Pectin and alvo disorders
The rheological characteristics of pectin, ie the ability to absorb water, would be useful in regulating the alvus, reducing the risk of constipation and normalizing the consistency of the stool in case of diarrhea.
Pectin and hyperglycemia
The ability to make the intestinal absorption of glucose more gradual and the ability to delay gastric emptying would allow pectin to adequately modulate the glycemic load of a meal.
This property would be particularly valuable in the course of diabetes, insulin resistance and various metabolisms.
Pectin and colorectal cancer
Recent studies would have focused on the preventive capabilities of pectin against colorectal cancer.
This "activity would be related to several properties of pectin, including:
- Intestinal fermentation and production of short-chain fatty acids, important in controlling the proliferation / differentiation process;
- Reduction of the intestinal persistence time of carcinogenic substances;
- Physical-mechanical protection of the intestinal mucosa;
- Correction of the alvo.
Dosage and method of use
How to use pectin
The dosages of pectin used in the studies that have confirmed the properties illustrated above, are around 15 grams per day, divided into several intakes concurrently with the main meals.
Side effects
The use of pectin, especially in predisposed subjects, could lead to the onset of gastrointestinal reactions, such as flatulence, cramps, crampy abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea.
Contraindications
When should pectin not be used?
The use of pectin is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the active principle.
Pharmacological interactions
What drugs or foods can modify the effect of pectin?
In case of concomitant administration, pectin could reduce the absorption of several active ingredients, such as lovastatin, clindamycin, tetracycline, digoxin, carotenoids and minerals.
The same chelating properties would also be observed against the micronutrients present in food.
Precautions for use
What do you need to know before taking pectin?
For purely precautionary purposes, it would be preferable to avoid, during pregnancy and in the subsequent period of breastfeeding, the use of supplements based on pectin, given the absence of studies.
The same caution should be reserved for patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or functional and organic disorders of the gastro-enteric system.
In all these cases the use of pectin, if strictly necessary, should be supervised by a physician.
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