What is the Pectin Paradox?
This week in the HSI Forum
What is the “Pectin Paradox”?
That’s the title that an HSI member named Peter gave to an HSI Forum thread in which he wonders what the difference might be between grapefruit pectin and pectin from other citrus sources. The question is important because while researching a product called ProFibe (a natural and effective cholesterol lowering treatment which we first told you about in the May 2001 Members Alert), Peter discovered that the ingredients include citrus pectin, but no grapefruit pectin.
ProFibe was developed in the early 1970s by Dr. James Cerda, a Florida gastroenterologist who was one of the first to experiment with grapefruit pectin’s ability to reduce plaque build up in the arteries. The paradox: If Dr. Cerda did the groundbreaking research on grapefruit pectin, why does his ProFibe treatment contain other kinds of pectin, but not grapefruit pectin?
The question is taken up by HSI members Lance, Lee and others who discuss the usefulness of grapefruit and other pectins, how pectin is processed, and its relationship to vitamin C. Lee is especially tenacious in his research, and finally comes up with this solution to the Pectin Paradox: “Dr. Cerda suggests that galacturonic acid is the active principal that cleans out arteries, a main constituent of all food pectins.”
This is a great example of the HSI Forum at work, with curious members setting off a stimulating give-and-take that results in useful answers. Our thanks to all of you.
Also on the Forum this week:
- A thread titled “Emphysema” explores natural methods of treating a condition called COPD, which is emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma.
- A discussion about the “Best forms of garlic.”
- A member named Braunbehrens starts off a thread in response to this past Tuesday’s e-Alert about vitamins (“The Sky Is Falling!” 5/13/03), which results in an informative discussion about high dosages of vitamin C and magnesium. To add your questions or insights to these or any other conversations, log on to the HSI Forum on our web site at www.hsionline.com.
