ALSO BY KAROLYN A. GAZELLA
(authored with Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO)
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE
TO THRIVING AFTER C ANCER
FIVE TO THRIVE®
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO C ANCER
Copyright ©2014 by Karolyn A. Gazella
All rights reserved
Published in the United States by CHAT Inc
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gazella, Karolyn
New Twist on Health,
Modified Citrus Pectin for Cancer, Heart Disease,
and More / Karolyn Gazella
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Health 2. Wellness 3. Cancer 4. Nutrition 5. Gazella, Karolyn 6. Title
Trade Paperback ISSN: 978-0-9914620-2-5
e-Book ISSN: 978-0-9914620-3-2
Printed in the United States
| v |
PLEASE NOTE
The information in this book is for educational purposes only. It
should not be viewed as recommendations to diagnose or treat
illness. All health matters should be supervised by a qualified
healthcare professional. You should never attempt to decrease
your use of prescription medication without first consulting your
physician. You should also inform your physician about any
dietary supplements you are taking. The publisher and author are
not responsible for individuals who choose to self-diagnose, self-
treat, or use the information in this book without consulting with
their own healthcare practitioners.
| vii |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK Isaac
Eliaz, MD, who was the inspiration for this book. After work-
ing with him and reading about the wonderful, innovative
research he is involved with, I just knew I needed to help him
and other scientists in this area get the word out. I have an
incredible amount of respect and admiration for Dr. Eliaz and
his work. He epitomizes the best that integrative medicine has
to offer.
As an extension of Dr. Eliaz, I would like to thank his
staff members who were instrumental in supporting me with
research and other information. Specifically, Ruby Tischoff,
Barry Wilk, and Anne Deckert were not only a wealth of infor-
mation but were also truly a joy to work with.
Any writer is only as good as her editor, and I happen
to have two editors who are exceptional: Vicky Uhland and
Deirdre Shevlin Bell. I have worked with Deirdre for more than
a decade, and she is a talented editor but she has also become
a valued friend. I am also truly grateful for the designers on
this book project, Karen Sperry and Erin “Pony” Sturga, who
also happens to be my horseback-riding buddy. I’d like to
thank Jacob Schor, ND, FABNO, a good friend and colleague
| viii |
for writing the foreword. Jacob is a leader in his field, but even
more important, he is a lot of fun to work with!
I have worked with and been influenced by many wonder-
fully gifted doctors over the past two decades, but none more
so than my good friend Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO. So much
of what I have learned has been due to her influence as a com-
passionate healer and brilliant doctor. I am so very thankful to
have her as a business partner and close friend.
I am blessed with the company of friends who are unyield-
ing in their support of my work. My appreciation for their love
and camaraderie cannot be put into words. My closest confi-
dant is my sister Kathi, whom I love and respect—she is a gift!
Finally, it is with immense gratitude that I acknowledge the
spirit of my mom—she is ever-present nearly two decades after
her death.
CONTENTS
IntroductionAn Integrative Approach for Optimal Health . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 1 Impressive Lifesaving Blood Biomarker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Chapter 2 Amazing All-Natural Medical Breakthrough . . . . . . . . . . 27
Chapter 3 Ultimate Support for Key Body Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Chapter 4 Importance of Safe, Ongoing, Gentle Detoxification . . . . . . 55
Chapter 5 Innovative Integrative Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Chapter 6 Scientifically Proven Anti-Cancer One-Two Punch . . . . . . 91
Chapter 7 #1 Strategy Against the #1 Disease Killer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Chapter 8 Defeating Diabetes, Liver Disease, and More . . . . . . . . . . 121
Chapter 9 Proven Health-Enhancing Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Selected References by Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Foreword | xi |
FOREWORD
THIS BOOK IS AS MUCH ABOUT two people as it is about a
medical discovery. It tells the story about Isaac Eliaz, MD, and
his interest in the health benefits of modified citrus pectin (MCP).
The book is also about Karolyn Gazella and her search for health
and purpose. Karolyn’s story is as important as the story of MCP,
because she exemplifies the philosophy of “taking lemons and
making lemonade.” She has transformed her life into one of pur-
pose and service despite being dealt a bad hand of cards.
Of course the book is also about MCP. While this sounds
like a generic chemical, it results from such a complex manu-
facturing process that when we talk about MCP we are really
talking about a single product, PectaSol. All the clinical trials
done on MCP use this product (except for the very first study
using a “primitive version” conducted by Kenneth Pienta at
Wayne State University in 1995). All subsequent research has
used a version of MCP that Eliaz developed and has marketed
as PectaSol since August 1995. All the clinical trials of MCP on
cancer have specifically used PectaSol.
My initial interest in MCP was spurred by research suggest-
ing it prevented cancer metastasis. After the Chernobyl disaster,
Eliaz realized MCP could also be used to chelate heavy metals.
| xii | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
It was also Eliaz who realized MCP has a role in injury repair,
inflammation, and fibrosis because it affects galectin-3 (you’ll
learn more about that in this book).
This book reminds us that nature provides us with a bounty
of useful chemicals and compounds from the multitude of plants
that grow in our world. Plants provide food, shelter and often the
tools to maintain health and fight disease. Some chemicals from
plants have become the drugs prescribed by modern doctors.
Many other substances found in plants provide benefit, yet they
are so gentle and safe that we would be hard pressed to call them
drugs—even though they have medical value.
It’s important to note that MCP is not generic. When I pre-
scribe MCP to patients, there really aren’t choices because I
am clearly endorsing a particular product, the one used in the
studies. To pretend otherwise, and encourage use of imitations
would be a disservice to my patients. Thus while I may tell
patients I hate endorsements of proprietary products, when it
comes to MCP, I happily break my own rule.
Karolyn is a good writer and Isaac is a good man. They both
teach by example how we might lead better lives. This book is
about MCP, but it’s about so much more. It’s well worth your time.
Disclosure: I have had the pleasure of working with Karo-
lyn Gazella on the Natural Medicine Journal for more than four
years and count myself lucky for the privilege.
— Jacob Schor, ND, FABNO
Jacob Schor, ND, FABNO, received his naturopathic doctorate from National
College of Naturopathic Medicine and created the Denver Naturopathic
Clinic in 1992 with his wife, Rena Bloom, ND. He served as president to the
Colorado Association of Naturopathic Physicians and is now on the board
of directors of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians and is a
Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology.
INTRODUCTION
AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH
THE HUMAN BODY IS TRULY a medical marvel. I’ve been writ-
ing about health and this amazing “machine” for more than
two decades, and I continue to be awestruck and inspired by it.
From the complex buzz of the brain to the melodic beating of
the heart and the intensity of our immunity, the sophisticated,
intricate workings of our internal systems are nothing short of
spectacular. But within all of this marvelous machinery, one
aspect stands out: We are innately built to be healthy.
There are trillions of cells in our bodies working on our
behalf. Our bodies house thousands of miles of blood ves-
sels—so many that if they were stretched end to end, they
could wrap around the earth more than two times. If we spread
our lungs flat on the ground, they would cover a tennis court.
And it’s hard to even describe the intricacies of the immune
system or the massive microbial environment that envelops us
inside and out.
Yet in an unfortunate twist of evolutionary fate, the human
body can be just as vulnerable as it is strong. This is illustrated
by deadly illnesses such as heart disease—accounting for one
in four deaths in the United States—or cancer, which is diag-
An Integrative Approach for Optimal Health | 1 |
| 2 | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
nosed in one out of every three American women and one in
two men. And then there are chronic illnesses such as diabetes,
arthritis, high blood pressure, asthma, and others that can dra-
matically and negatively impact quality of life. Finally, increas-
ing amounts of stress, anxiety, and depression put additional
strain on our minds, bodies, and spirits.
There are no simple answers, but there is an overarching
concept that will help us experience true healing and vibrant
health: We must support, encourage, and transform the body’s
innate ability to heal itself. And that’s what this book is about:
tapping into the natural wisdom that exists, and finding ways to
unleash the healing power within each one of us.
Whether you are presently struggling with an illness or just
want to protect your overall health, this book will provide valu-
able answers to your health and wellness questions. And it all
begins with the humble orange peel.
MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH
I was inspired to write this book by my friend and colleague
Isaac Eliaz, MD. In his more than 25 years as an integrative
physician, Dr. Eliaz has provided healing, education, inspi-
ration, support, and compassionate guidance to his patients.
His education is a rare and special blend of conventional and
traditional healing modes. In addition to his medical doc-
torate from Sackler Medical School at Tel Aviv University in
Israel, he also has a master’s of science in traditional Chinese
medicine, and is licensed as both a homeopathic physician
and acupuncturist.
I have had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Eliaz several
times over the years, and the more I got to know him, the more
impressed I became with his passion and commitment to inte-
An Integrative Approach for Optimal Health | 3 |
grative healing. And then one day, Dr. Eliaz told me the story of
how he came to discover modified citrus pectin—a true medical
breakthrough that is helping thousands of people worldwide
and is the subject of many clinical studies in the United States
and Europe.
“As a young boy growing up in Israel,” Dr. Eliaz told me,
“our neighbors were Dr. Ruth Cohen and her husband, Leo,
both of whom were organic chemistry scientists with a spe-
cific focus on the study of citrus pectin. I remember Ruth tell-
ing me that someday we will find a cure for cancer in the peel
of an orange.”
Dr. Eliaz never forgot Dr. Cohen’s words, but it wasn’t
until 40 years later—after he had become a doctor specializing
in integrative cancer treatments—that he started to realize that
Dr. Cohen was right. Today, Dr. Eliaz and many other research-
ers and clinicians believe that modified citrus pectin (MCP)
from the peels of citrus fruits may well be one of the most
important natural health discoveries to have emerged in the
last 20 years.
Pectin is a health-promoting soluble fiber found in abun-
dance in the peels of fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruits,
and apples. Pectin has been shown to offer many health ben-
efits, especially in the digestive tract, where it can help remove
toxins. MCP is a special form of pectin that is more easily
absorbed and therefore more therapeutically effective.
MCP is available as a dietary supplement, but it’s important
to note that not just any type of MCP will work. The molecular
composition of the citrus pectin is critical to its effectiveness,
so the material must be strictly and properly manufactured. To
my knowledge, there is only one form of MCP that meets the
proper molecular weight and esterification required for peak
| 4 | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
performance: PectaSol-C®, manufactured by EcoNugenics Inc.
This is the brand of MCP that has been used in most of the clin-
ical studies performed throughout the world, and it is widely
available in the United States. I’ll tell you a lot more about this
form of MCP later in the book.
I was fascinated by Dr. Cohen’s prediction and Dr. Eliaz’s
desire to get the word out about this medical breakthrough.
Both doctors recognized that the ultimate power comes from
the ultimate source—nature! MCP is an excellent example
of an integrative medical approach because it combines the
strengths of nature with advanced technology to create an
incredible healing tool.
Integrative medicine physicians like Dr. Eliaz believe in
the healing power of nature. But they also believe in the scien-
tifically valid integration of the old and the new. “Integrative
medicine is combining the best of modern medical science,
clinical experience, and research with the ancient knowl-
edge and understanding of traditional healing,” explained
Dr. Eliaz.
This healing approach is not only restricted to medical
professionals. Thomas Edison said long ago: “The doctor of
the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patient
in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and
prevention of disease.” These prophetic words ring true for
me personally.
MY PERSONAL JOURNEY
Perhaps I am drawn to Dr. Eliaz’s work because I am a cancer
survivor and he focuses on the integrative treatment of cancer.
My personal journey with cancer began long ago. I can remem-
ber as a young girl how I went to the hospital to see my aunt
An Integrative Approach for Optimal Health | 5 |
who was dying of cancer. That’s the last time I saw her. This
would happen many times as I grew into a young adult, but I felt
fortunate that my immediate family was safe from this deadly
disease. And then that changed.
I was running my own publishing company with my mom
as my first employee and my sister as my second. We were
inseparable, like the three musketeers, and we were taking the
integrative-health publishing world by storm. I was living my
dream until the afternoon my sister walked into my office cry-
ing. On that day, my nightmare began. Her doctor had found a
lump in her breast that she would have to have biopsied. We
had just witnessed the death of another aunt from advanced
breast cancer only a few months earlier. To us, cancer meant
death—it’s all we knew.
My sister was only 35, and our mom took it hard. Even
though my sister’s prognosis was good, our mom was wracked
with worry. And then, not long after my sister’s surgery, our
mom became ill. She was diagnosed with advanced pancre-
atic cancer, and just three weeks later, she died. She was only
58 years old.
Our mom’s death was especially traumatic to my family.
She was our rock, the cornerstone of our family, and to me,
she was a best friend. We were still overcome with grief when
shortly after our mom’s death, I was diagnosed with ovarian
cancer—just two days after I turned 33.
We had had three cancers in less than eight months. It’s not
surprising that later we found out that our family carries the
breast ovarian cancer gene (BRCA). In fact, researchers from
Creighton University have reported in the scientific literature
that our family is one of the largest in North America to carry
the BRCA gene.
| 6 | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
But while we lost our mom to cancer, my sister and I con-
tinue to thrive. I will soon celebrate 19 years of being cancer
free. Now in my 50s, I feel better than I have ever felt. And our
family has continued to have many other cancer survivors. No
longer do we believe that cancer is a death sentence.
I believe that my commitment to finding ways to help
my body naturally heal itself is a key reason why I am thriv-
ing today. Because of my surgery, I was immediately put into
menopause so that means I have been a menopausal woman
since 1995! According to conventional medicine, because my
body has not had normal amounts of estrogen for such a long
time, I should be obese and have frail bones, heart disease,
and more. But I’m healthy and I have been able to manage
my menopausal symptoms naturally. Yes, I still get a few hot
flashes now and then, and my memory isn’t as sharp as it once
was, but other than that, I really can’t complain. In fact, I do
just the opposite. I celebrate each day and each birthday with
enthusiastic joy and gratitude.
Because of my own personal journey, I have spent much of
my professional career writing and talking about cancer. But I
am also keenly aware that my focus is not on merely preventing
disease, however admirable that is. My goal is to be healthy and
active so I can do the things I love and continue to do the work
I so thoroughly enjoy.
We have such wonderful opportunities to heal and be
healthy. It is an incredible honor to be able to share these
opportunities with you in this book.
THIS BOOK
While the information and advice in this book is broad and
encompasses many aspects of health and illness, I’ve chosen
An Integrative Approach for Optimal Health | 7 |
to focus on MCP and galectin-3, a lifesaving blood biomarker
of inflammation, fibrosis, cancer, and heart disease. To me, this
combination so eloquently depicts the core principle of inte-
grative medicine: combining the best that traditional and con-
ventional medicine have to offer. For decades I have believed
that integrative medicine is the best healing mode because it is
not an either/or approach. It is made up of the most scientifi-
cally valid, logical, and safe treatments, with you at the center.
It is a wonderful illustration of how the whole is greater than
the sum of its parts.
But despite my commitment to integrative treatments, I
must admit that I was skeptical when I first heard about the
variety of illnesses that a combination of galectin-3 measuring
and MCP supplementation could impact. However, after I read
the scientific literature and interviewed many experts, I discov-
ered that this one-two disease-fighting punch really made sense
to me, and you will find out why in this book.
The book will also provide practical diet, lifestyle, and
dietary supplement advice to help you heal mind, body, and
spirit. This foundational health plan features scientific valida-
tion from many trusted sources, including Dr. Eliaz.
I have written this book for individuals who are either
struggling with an illness or trying to prevent one. I’m always
cautious about the word “prevention” because there are no
sure-fire ways to prevent illness. For example, I have written
many times that even healthy people get cancer. Maybe there
are no guarantees when it comes to preventing illness, but we
definitely can do things to reduce our risk. And that’s what this
book is all about.
In the end, my hope is that you too will focus on more
than disease prevention. I hope that after reading this book,
| 8 | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
you will have a renewed confidence in your body’s ability to
heal and the healing power of nature. And I hope that you
will feel inspired to let your health and your life soar to new
heights! Get ready to discover a new twist on health.
CHAPTER 1
IMPRESSIVE LIFESAVING BLOOD BIOMARKER
TO EFFECTIVELY REDUCE OUR RISK of developing an illness,
it helps if we can look inside the body to see what’s going on. In
this way, our bodies are similar to cars.
A mechanic will often check under the hood even if the car
is running perfectly. This regular maintenance is critical to the
car’s ability to run efficiently and for a long period of time. The
same is true of the human body. We need check-ups and moni-
toring even if we are not having obvious symptoms, because
many illnesses don’t show significant signs until the disease
has already progressed to a difficult point. The key is to catch
things quickly and to address the underlying causes of illness
and disease progression.
The human body is so amazing that it will give us the infor-
mation we need—we just have to know where to look. And one
place to find numerous answers is in the blood.
CIRCULATING INFORMATION
The average person has about five quarts of blood pumping
through his or her veins. Blood accounts for about 7 percent
of our total body weight. Within each drop of blood, there are
Impressive Lifesaving Blood Biomarker | 9 |
| 10 | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
about 5 million red cells and thousands of white cells floating in
a pool of plasma and platelets. And that’s just one drop!
Blood can reveal a great deal of information about our over-
all health. Our blood can tell us if we are anemic, diabetic, or
have high cholesterol. It can tell us if we are at increased risk of
developing cancer or other serious illnesses. Monitoring blood
can also let your doctor know if a course of treatment is suc-
cessful or not.
This type of monitoring and measuring uses what is known
in medical circles as a biomarker. More than a decade ago, the
National Institutes of Health described a biomarker as an indica-
tor of normal biological or disease processes and a way to track
the response of a therapeutic intervention. Biomarkers must also
be easily measured. Biomarkers have become valuable tools in
tracking disease progression, regression, and treatment response.
It’s important to note that biomarkers are not all related
to blood. For example, a treadmill stress test to measure heart
health is considered a biomarker. When you have your blood
pressure checked, that’s a biomarker. In cancer care, a variety
of biomarkers based on the type of cancer are used to properly
diagnose, stage, and monitor treatment.
The importance of medical biomarkers cannot be overem-
phasized. But not all biomarkers are created equal. They can
vary in sensitivity and specificity. Biomarker sensitivity refers
to its ability to accurately identify a defined effect, like cancer
or high blood pressure. If a biomarker is 100 percent sensitive,
it will never be wrong. For instance, mammograms are not 100
percent sensitive biomarkers for breast cancer because they
can’t always accurately detect the disease. While perfection is
virtually unachievable, it is important that the biomarker have
a high level of sensitivity.
Impressive Lifesaving Blood Biomarker | 11 |
The biomarker should also have a high level of specificity,
which is the avoidance of false positives. If a mammogram, for
example, indicates breast cancer when there is no cancer, that
is a low specificity. False positives are not only stressful for the
person who is misdiagnosed, but they can also lead to unneces-
sary follow-up procedures like invasive biopsies.
This actually happened to me recently after a chest x-ray.
I had been struggling with a nagging dry cough that I just
couldn’t get rid of. After months of trying every natural and
conventional course of action, I got a chest x-ray. I was shocked
when the results showed a suspicious nodule on my left lung.
Because of my cancer history and family history, the medical
staff immediately whisked me off to get an MRI. After the MRI
came back normal, I asked the doctor why the x-ray showed a
nodule. He said that was very common and that chest x-rays
are notorious for these types of false positives. Unfortunately,
this was not explained to me in the first place so I was pretty
freaked out at the time. You can see why sensitivity of the bio-
marker is so important!
It is rare for a biomarker to have perfect specificity and
sensitivity, but in some studies the galectin-3 blood biomarker
demonstrated nearly 100 percent specificity and sensitivity.
Other important attributes of an effective biomarker are its
ability to be reproduced on a standardized basis. Galectin-3 test-
ing has that. The biomarker test must also be easy to administer
and interpret by the doctor. Galectin-3 meets those two criteria.
And finally, there must be scientific validation of the biomarker
test via clinical studies published in peer-reviewed papers. There
are many such studies on galectin-3. In fact, Dr. Eliaz wrote a lit-
erature review showing impressive results when using galectin-3
for cancer diagnosis, treatment response, and disease progression.
| 12 | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
Galectin-3 is extremely unique in that it can be applied to
a variety of conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administra-
tion has already approved the use of galectin-3 as a biomarker
for high-risk cardiovascular patients to monitor potential heart
failure. We’ll learn just how galectin-3 does that in a moment.
Scientific research shows that galectin-3 goes way beyond
heart health, however. Because of its ability to detect factors
that contribute to disease progression—specifically inflamma-
tion and fibrosis—galectin-3 is thought to be even more indica-
tive of the presence and spread of disease than more common
biomarkers like high cholesterol or C-reactive protein (CRP).
Let’s take a closer look at this lifesaving blood bio-
marker breakthrough.
SIGNIFICANT SEARCH
Any successful search always begins with a goal. What are we
looking for? In the case of blood biomarkers, we are looking for
something that is circulating in the blood. Depending on the
biomarker, we are searching for something that either should
or shouldn’t be there. For example, in the case of cholesterol,
you don’t want elevated levels in your blood. The same is true
for galectin-3.
Lectins are proteins, and galectin-3 is a specific type of
lectin molecule that circulates in small amounts throughout
the body’s cells. Galectin-3 is like that famous character in
the classic story the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
On the one hand, small amounts of galectin-3 are perfectly
healthy and actually contribute to positive cellular commu-
nication, as well as strong cellular growth and development.
When elevated, however, this rogue molecule can create all
sorts of silent problems inside our bodies. Too much galectin-3
Impressive Lifesaving Blood Biomarker | 13 |
causes cells to behave poorly and directly promotes uncon-
trolled cellular growth and development. Galectin-3, when in
its Mr. Hyde mode of overexpression, creates internal cellular
chaos and has been directly linked to increased inflammation
and fibrosis—a very dangerous combination. Fortunately, we
can actually “see” this chaos in our blood via the galectin-3
biomarker test.
It is now widely known that increased inflammation
is linked to a variety of dangerous illnesses (see graphic on
page 15.) Who could forget the ominous cover of Time maga-
zine in 2004 declaring that inflammation is “the silent killer”?
Chronic internal inflammation not only can lead to many seri-
ous illnesses like cancer and heart disease, but it can also
contribute to a variety of symptoms of poor health, includ-
ing digestive issues, joint problems, lack of energy, and sleep
disturbances. Inflammation can even increase risk of mental
health issues such as depression and anxiety. What’s more,
a 2013 literature review linked inflammation to serious psy-
chiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and
obsessive-compulsive disorder.
It’s great that there is now much more information avail-
able about the dangers of inflammation since the Time maga-
zine article was published; however, few people are talking
about inflammation’s dangerous cohort in disease progres-
sion: fibrosis. Chronic inflammation leads to fibrosis, which
leads to illness.
INFLAMED INSIDE
When we search for biomarkers in the blood, we are often look-
ing for indications that the body is internally inflamed. Common
inflammatory markers in the blood include CRP, interleukin-6
| 14 | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
(IL-6) and other interleukins, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB),
homocysteine, and galectin-3. Some researchers believe that out
of all of these inflammatory markers, galectin-3 is the most sig-
nificant. Studies have clearly shown that elevated galectin-3 is
correlated with increases in CRP and IL-6.
Chronic internal inflammation is different than a bump on
the head. While the same immune system players are involved,
one is a single episode of inflammation (the bump) and the
other is continual. As that “goose egg” begins to develop on
your head, that’s a sign that the process of inflammation is in
full swing. Increased blood flow to the area causes swelling,
but it also brings needed nutrients to the damaged tissues. As
the damaged cells die through processes like bruising, immune
cells gather in that area to clean up the mess. Soon, the swelling
goes down, the bruising goes away, and your forehead looks
good as new. This process is positive, natural, and characteris-
tic of the healing experience after an injury.
But what happens when that same system of repair is
continually perpetuated inside our bodies due to stress, poor
diet, lack of exercise, or other factors? Over time, this acute
response becomes chronic and can lead to poor health and
serious illnesses.
The body doesn’t differentiate between what types of cells
are affected during the inflammation process. For example,
when we have an injury, we want cells in that area to multiply
and grow faster because they need to replace the cells that
were damaged when we bumped our head. But what if our
bodies send those same signals to multiply and grow faster
to a cancer cell? If that episode is isolated, it’s not a big deal
because we can detoxify (more about that later) those cells.
But if it’s on an ongoing basis, we are telling mutated cells to
Impressive Lifesaving Blood Biomarker | 15 |
“divide and conquer,” which is how tumors are formed. Can-
cer is like a wound that does not heal inside the body. Like a
spark to a flame, cancer cells continually ignite the inflamma-
tory process.
If you have an unhealthy “inflammatory” meal of fried
food once every few months, it’s not that bad, but if you eat
those same inflammatory foods every week or worse yet day
in and day out, you will be continually sending the wrong
messages to your cells and they will likely become chroni-
cally inflamed. You are fueling that flame.
Unfortunately, the American lifestyle has become inflam-
matory. (For a list of key contributors to chronic internal inflam-
mation, see page 20.) Inflammation has become such a major
factor that in a 2012 paper published in the journal Nutrition &
Metabolism, researchers concluded, “Health care should focus
on early detection of silent, ongoing, and low-grade inflamma-
Pulmonarydiseases
Neurologicaldiseases
Autoimmunediseases
Arthritis Type 2 Diabetes
Cancer Cardiovasculardiseases
Alzheimer’s
The Connection Is Clear
Inflammation
| 16 | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
tion in order to avoid the development of many chronic dis-
eases.” Most integrative medical researchers and practitioners
agree with that statement and so do I!
One way to determine if our bodies are in this chronic and
dangerous inflamed state is by testing inflammatory molecules
that are circulating in the blood. This gives us an accurate pic-
ture of what’s going on inside the body. Excess galectin-3 in
the blood tells us that we are experiencing internal chronic
inflammation, so by monitoring galectin-3 levels, we can actu-
ally reverse that inflammation. Reducing galectin-3 overexpres-
sion has become an absolutely critical strategy in preventing
illnesses associated with inflammation.
Breakthroughs With Biomarkers
Medical biomarkers allow us to measure and evaluate health.
They have become critical in our quest to prevent and reverse
illness. Biomarkers have also become a critical component in
scientific research. In order for a study to be clinically relevant,
meaning that it will help the doctor help you, it must have a
method to meaningfully measure endpoints and outcomes.
Biomarkers allow researchers to gain the information
they need to paint a clear picture about the clinical
intervention they are studying. This has been especially true
in the area of heart disease. In 2009, researchers concluded
“…numerous biomarkers have emerged that potentially might
aid in the complex decision-making processes for diagnosis,
treatment, and monitoring of heart failure.” In research as
well as in the doctor’s office, the key is to utilize the most
accurate biomarker.
Impressive Lifesaving Blood Biomarker | 17 |
Fortunately, there are many things we can do to prevent
and reverse chronic inflammation. We will touch on them
here, but Chapter 9 goes in-depth on how to create an anti-
inflammatory life.
One additional key factor worth mentioning is the brain’s
role in internal inflammation. While more research is needed,
preliminary studies have shown that mental health issues such
as depression, anxiety, social isolation, fear, and negativity can
all contribute to inflammation on a cellular level. This makes
sense because our mental and physical health are so intimately
connected. In fact, there is an entire field of study known as
psychoneuroimmunology that looks at the connection between
psychological processes and the immune system—and, of
course, immunity and inflammation are closely connected.
It’s interesting to note that one of the main ways our
immune and inflammatory systems communicate with the
brain is via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis).
The HPA axis also happens to be the body’s key stress manage-
ment system. So it follows that if we are under chronic, ongoing
stress, our bodies will be chronically inflamed as well. The diet
and lifestyle advice in Chapter 9 is designed to help your body
manage stress even at the highest levels. At times throughout
our lives it can be hard to actually reduce the amount of stress
we are under, but we can certainly support our minds, bodies,
and spirits during those times so that the stress does not take
such a serious toll on us. By managing stress in a healthful,
positive way, we will also be reducing internal inflammation.
Limiting inflammation also helps prevent the process of
fibrosis, which is considered a silent, underlying co-factor in
the development of several illnesses and poor health. Let’s take
a closer look at this hidden health danger.
| 18 | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
FIGHTING FIBROSIS
Remember that bump on the head? What if you had a gash
along with that bump? You would develop a scar, wouldn’t you?
When skin is injured in this way, it thickens and the healing pro-
cess forms a scar. Special connective tissue cells are sent to the
site to fill in the damaged area and knit the skin back together.
Once again, this is a good thing.
But what if that scarring process is internal and continual?
As internal inflammation increases, your body forms excess
fibrous tissue because it thinks that a cut or injury needs to be
repaired. But there is no cut, just inflammation. So over time,
chronic inflammation causes continual scarring. This type of
scarring, which is known as fibrosis, is much different than a
cosmetic scar. An internal scar can stiffen tissues, reduce circu-
lation, and potentially damage organs.
While we are hearing more about the dangers of inflamma-
tion, we aren’t hearing as much about fibrosis. There should
be a Time magazine cover that screams “Fight Fibrosis for Bet-
ter Health!”
Perhaps the most well-known type of fibrosis is cystic fibro-
sis, which is a genetic condition affecting the body’s mucus
glands primarily in the respiratory and digestive systems. Pul-
monary fibrosis is when there is scarring of lung tissue. And
when the muscles in the heart stiffen and scar, it is known as
cardiac fibrosis.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to cardiac
fibrosis, including aging. As we grow older, we can accumulate
collagen, which leads to fibrosis. This fibrosis weakens the heart
and can lead to heart failure. Heart failure does not mean the
heart stops beating; it means that the heart isn’t strong enough
to pump enough blood and oxygen throughout the body. The
Impressive Lifesaving Blood Biomarker | 19 |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that about 6
million people have heart failure each year in the United States.
It is the most common cause of hospitalization among people
over age 65.
Researchers from McGill University in Canada reported
in 2006 that several different heart conditions are caused by
fibrosis. Subsequent research has confirmed the connection
between fibrosis and poor heart health.
We’ve all read or heard stories of healthy, young, fit
individuals dying of a sudden heart attack. While many
of these tragic cases can be attributed to a heart abnormal-
ity or defect, the Mayo Clinic reports that inflammation can
also be a cause. If we can uncover inflammation and car-
diac fibrosis early enough, we can possibly prevent some of
these tragedies.
Just as galectin-3 monitoring can help uncover all types of
chronic inflammation, it can also help reveal fibrosis. In fact,
cardiovascular research first shed light on this important blood
biomarker. Many studies have clearly demonstrated that galec-
tin-3 is increased in cases of acute and chronic heart failure.
Researcher Vincent deFilippi and his colleagues from the
Duke University School of Medicine reported in their review
published in US Cardiology in 2010 that while common bio-
markers of cardiovascular disease such as CRP and others
can help predict illness, they don’t show how that illness
progresses. However, the researchers reported that galectin-3
does help identify disease progression and can play a sig-
nificant role in tracking treatment success. They further state
that if we can find a way to reduce overexpression of galec-
tin-3 in the body, we will likely find a viable way to prevent
illnesses like heart failure.
| 20 | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
But what about cancer? deFilippi and his colleagues clearly
state that overexpressed galectin-3 and the fibrosis indicated by
that elevation occurs in many organ systems. In fact, for years,
integrative practitioners have been calling cancer an “unhealed
wound.” The same wound-healing genes that can lead to fibro-
sis can also indicate cancer.
In 2007, researchers from the Mayo Clinic Cancer Cen-
ter in Jacksonville, Fla., made the direct connection between
increased fibrosis and the development and spread of cancer.
Just as with heart disease, if we can find a way to identify fibro-
sis early, we can hopefully prevent some cancers from develop-
ing and spreading.
Galectin-3 is not only a valuable biomarker for heart disease
and cancer, but it has other uses as well. Overall quality-of-life
issues, other chronic illnesses, and symptoms can be identified,
tracked, and monitored just by knowing your galectin-3 levels.
And even more exciting, just think about the positive health
implications that can occur when we can find ways to normalize
Contributors to Chronic Inflammationl Environmental pollutants
l Lack of physical activity
l Some medications
l Lack of sleep
l Poor diet
l Smoking
l Obesity
l Stress
l Aging
Impressive Lifesaving Blood Biomarker | 21 |
our galectin-3 levels. Fortunately, there is an innovative natural
substance that has been shown to be the most powerful galec-
tin-3 inhibitor known to present-day science. That substance is
modified citrus pectin (MCP).
Just as Dr. Eliaz’s neighbor, Dr. Ruth Cohen, predicted,
we now have discovered one of the most remarkable health-
promoting natural compounds of the 21st century—and it comes
from the peel of an orange (or more broadly, citrus fruits). The
ability to positively impact galectin-3 overexpression with an
all-natural substance is truly a medical breakthrough!
MCP AND GALECTIN-3
In order for a medical breakthrough to occur, we first need to
find out how to identify and track an illness. Then we need
to determine if we can impact the course of that illness with
a particular intervention. And finally, we need to know if our
intervention is working.
MCP and galectin-3 are not just one medical breakthrough,
but two. The first breakthrough was the discovery of galectin-3
as a sensitive, effective, and accurate blood biomarker. The sec-
ond breakthrough was identifying the most potent influencer of
that biomarker—MCP. The combination of galectin-3 and MCP
is likely to revolutionize how we diagnose, treat, and track seri-
ous illnesses.
In the coming chapters, you will learn how MCP supports
key body systems and how it can directly help prevent and treat
cancer as well as many other illnesses. You will read firsthand
why researchers, medical professionals, and this research jour-
nalist are so excited about this natural substance.
If there were a new drug that could do everything that
MCP could do and there was a test to determine if that
| 22 | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
drug was working, it would create a national media frenzy
and Wall Street would be all abuzz. But because MCP is a
natural substance, it doesn’t get the same fanfare because
it doesn’t have the financial gain associated with new,
patented drugs.
What’s worse, when a company spends millions of dol-
lars to test the efficacy of a natural substance, others some-
times usurp that science and use it to promote potentially
subpar products. In the natural health industry, that’s known
as “ borrowed science,” which is far too mild of a term for such
behavior. It’s not really borrowed at all; it’s often intentionally
and deceptively used for financial gain.
BORROWED SCIENCE IS BAD SCIENCE
I distinctly remember the first time I witnessed borrowed sci-
ence in action. It was 20 years ago, and I was fairly new to
the natural health industry. I was researching saw palmetto oil
for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which
is enlargement of the prostate gland. A special standardized
extract of the oil of the saw palmetto tree was being widely
studied, and showed exceptional results for this condition.
I read an article about a specific saw palmetto product that
was claiming to ease BPH based on these amazing studies that
were being published. Upon closer examination, I could see on
the label that this product was merely ground-up saw palmetto
berries and did not, in fact, contain the standardized saw pal-
metto oil that was used in the studies.
This is just one example of borrowed science, but there
are many others. It’s bad news for consumers because we have
to be extra diligent when we buy products that make claims
based on solid science.
Impressive Lifesaving Blood Biomarker | 23 |
The fact is, doing gold-standard, double-blind, placebo-
controlled, clinical studies is very expensive. And if the sub-
stance cannot be patented or protected—which is the case for
many naturally occurring materials—numerous companies
can produce “knock-off” products based on the science that
the reputable company just spent millions on. But if a com-
pany is going to “use” that science to make its case, then it’s
absolutely critical that its product be identical to the one used
in the study.
Unfortunately, there are no easy answers in this area. My
solution is to not write about or endorse a product that makes
claims based on borrowed science. If I want to take a product
for a specific use and can’t find the exact substance that was
used in the studies, I need to at least know that it matches the
substance used.
I will often ask companies directly if their product was
used in clinical studies. I will also do research to find out
more about the substance used in the studies. Then I make my
buying decision. The only way companies that are using bor-
rowed science will learn their lesson is when we stop buying
their products. This is clearly a case where we need to let our
pocket books do the talking!
As you can see, borrowed science is a big pet peeve of
mine. As a medical writer, I’ve learned the tricks of the trade,
but not all consumers are able to tell when borrowed science is
being used to sell a subpar product.
This is a core reason I was drawn to Dr. Eliaz’s MCP
product, PectaSol-C. Dr. Eliaz has researched and published
articles on MCP for decades. He has been able to patent the
very specific pectin used in these studies. PectaSol-C is pro-
tected by US patents #6,274,566, #6,462,029, #7,452,871,
| 24 | NEW TWIST ON HEALTH
and #7,026,302. In Canada, it is protected by Health Canada
NPN: 80029606.
I am impressed that Dr. Eliaz invested the time and money
to protect the proprietary ingredient that was used in many of
the impressive studies. This helps consumers know they are
getting the proper ingredient and are avoiding that irritating
issue of borrowed science.
But it’s more than irritating. As a cancer survivor, I know
the magnitude of this diagnosis. We are no longer talking about
an uncomfortable condition like BPH; we are talking about a
life-threatening disease. You will see that the studies using MCP
involve people diagnosed with cancer, heart disease, diabetes,
liver disease, and more. Imagine receiving a diagnosis like that
and having to rely on a product that uses borrowed science!
“I know firsthand that making MCP is a very complex,
sophisticated process that requires the utmost attention to
detail in order for it to be effective,” Dr. Eliaz said. “We have
developed a highly sensitive proprietary manufacturing method
to ensure my patients get the same results that we achieved
in the studies.” This is critical to me as a health writer and a
cancer survivor.
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
The human body is remarkable, and science is equally spectacu-
lar. There is a bright future for the galectin-3 biomarker using
information from the human body and evaluating that informa-
tion with advanced technology.
“I predict that someday there will be an entirely new class
of illnesses known as high galectin-3 diseases,” Dr. Eliaz said.
“Eventually, galectin-3 testing will become a part of our routine
health screenings.”
Impressive Lifesaving Blood Biomarker | 25 |
To have access to screening such as this is truly a medical
breakthrough. But then to have a natural substance like MCP is
the ultimate health-promoting one-two punch.
But several key questions remain:
l How does MCP support the key body systems?
l Why is detoxification so important and how does MCP
enhance detoxification?
l Can MCP and galectin-3 really help prevent and treat
cancer?
l How do MCP and galectin-3 specifically work to heal
heart disease?
l What else are they good for?
l How can we incorporate this combination into a com-
prehensive lifesaving, health-promoting strategy?
These answers and more are in the following chapters!