Grapefruit pectin and cholesterol levels - Shorts - reduction of cholesterol levels with grapefruit

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  August-Sept, 2002  by Jule Klotter

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Small preliminary studies using miniature swine indicate that grapefruit pectin can reduce arterial blockage and, in some cases, cholesterol levels. The studies were sponsored or co-sponsored by Florida Department of Citrus. In one study, Dr. James J. Cerda and colleagues found that giving pigs grapefruit pectin along with a high-fat diet inhibited cholesterol levels and arterial narrowing. (None of the pigs on grapefruit pectin and lard, however, did nearly as well as the pigs that received pig feed without lard.) In another study, "Inhibition of Atherosclerosis by Dietary Pectin in Microswine with Sustained Hypercholesterolemia" (Circulation 1994; 89: 1247-1253), Dr. Cerda and his team wanted to see if grapefruit pectin had an effect on animals with established high cholesterol. The researchers fed fifteen 5-month old Yucatan microswine an atherogenic diet for 390 days, at which time one pig was killed and examined for signs of atherosclerosis. The remaining 14 pigs were randomized into two groups. Both grou ps received 76% pig feed, 15% lard, about 4% casein, 1% cholesterol, and vitamins and minerals. One group, however, received 3% cellulose (fiber) while the other group received 3% grapefruit pectin (also fibrous). Blood samples were taken every 30 days for nine months to determine plasma cholesterol and total triglyceride levels. Cholesterol levels for animals in both groups stabilized at more than threefold normal with no statistical difference between the two groups. Autopsies of the 14 animals, however, revealed a mean coronary artery narrowing of 45% in the group receiving cellulose and 24% in the group receiving grapefruit pectin.

Articles about grapefruit pectin, many of which are written or co-written by Dr. Cerda, can be found at www.profibe.com. ProFibe[TM] is a tasteless powder consisting of grapefruit pectin, guar gum, and egg white protein that can be mixed into food and beverages. The website says that a 30-day study on seven patients found that the use of ProFibe (15 g/day of grapefruit pectin) caused a 17% decrease in total cholesterol and 25% decrease in LDL cholesterol.

Cerda, James J., MD et al. Grapefruit Pectin Inhibits Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclersis in Miniature Swine. www.profibe.com

Cerda, James J., MD et al. Inhibition of Atherosclerosis by Dietary Pectin in Microswine with Sustained Hypercholesterolemia. www.profibe.com

Cerda, James J., MD The Pectin-Cholesterol Connection - A Review. www.profibe.com

COPYRIGHT 2002 The Townsend Letter Group
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