Botanical: Malus pumila  (also known as Malus domestica)
Family: Pomaceae (apple) - Rosaceae (rose)

Other common names:   Common Apple, Domestic Apple, Cultivated Apple

                                                                                              The rose is a rose,
                                                                                                      And was always a rose.
                                                                                              But the theory now goes
                                                                                                      That the Apple's a rose.

                                                                                                                 Robert Frost - Poet

Apple Pectin is said to have beneficial effects on the digestive tract and the ability to maintain intestinal balance.  It binds with cholesterol and fats before they are absorbed in the body and

swiftly eliminates them from the intestinal tract, which may help to reduce the risk of coronary problems.  This binding action is also believed to slow absorption of dietary sugar after meals,

which also may be helpful in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.  Apple Pectin is believed to remove unwanted toxins from the colon and effectively promotes colonic health by cleansing the intestinal tract.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History:
We know that apples have been consumed by man since 6500 B.C., and were prescribed for virtually every ailment as a "heal-all" through the ages.   Remember the adage, "An apple a day....."?  

Our ancestors knew the "secret" of the Apple and its life giving properties.  Apple is particularly rich

in Pectin, the name applied to any one of a group of white, amorphous complex carbohydrates with

a high molecular weight.  These water-soluble fibers are found in plant tissue, most commonly ripe fruits such as citrus fruits (particularly the peels), crabapples, plums, currants and apples, and researchers have found that raw Apples are the richest fruit sources in Pectin, with the "Jonagold" leading other varieties.  The characteristic structure of Pectin is a linear chain of α-(1-4)-linked

D-galacturonic acid that forms the pectin-backbone, a homogalacturonan.  The fiber has a gel-forming effect when mixed with water (which makes it an effective binding agent when cleansing the intestines and colon).  Protopectin, which is present in unripe fruits, is converted to Pectin as the fruit ripens.  Pectin forms a colloidal solution in water and gels on cooling, and when fruits are cooked with the correct amount of sugar, and when the acidity is optimum and the amount of Pectin present is sufficient, fruit jams and jellies will result.  On the other hand, when fruits are over-ripe, the Pectin becomes pectic acid, which does not form jelly with sugar solutions.  Modern researchers suggest that a high-fat/low-fiber diet may be one of the leading causes of death; and, thus, people are encouraged to include Apple Pectin in any form (raw fruit or powder or juice) to help protect them from the ailments that may be caused by such a lifestyle.  Rich in important vitamins, tannins and an especially high Pectin content, the Apple is especially beneficial to maintaining good health.

Beneficial Uses:
Apple Pectin is a general intestinal regulator that is used in many medicinal preparations, and is said to be an especially effective anti-diarrheal agent.  It has an important function in the intestinal tract, having a scavenger effect in intestinal digestion by exerting a bacteriostatic action.  The water-soluble fiber in Pectin has a gel-forming effect when mixed with water that helps to maintain intestinal balance by cleansing the intestinal tract.   Pectin increases viscosity and volume of stool so that it is used to combat both constipation and diarrhea.  It is amphoteric, which means that it works in two directions:  It will help to thicken bowels that are loose or loosen up bowels that are constipated.

Further supporting its role in promoting and maintaining good intestinal health, Apple Pectin has the effect of binding certain harmful compounds in the colon (fecal bacterial enzymes and bacteria in colonic carcinogens) and speeding their elimination from the body.  It is considered an antioxident and believed to reduce and prevent the damage caused to human cells by free radicals.  Apple Pectin also helps to remove toxic metals from the body before they are absorbed and may thereby protect the colon from serious and malignant colonic and rectal ailments.

It has been claimed that the water-soluble dietary fiber, Pectin, significantly decreases the concentration of serum cholesterol levels.  Apple Pectin  appears to prevent absorption of cholesterol by binding with and removing fats before they are absorbed in the body, and by helping to reduce blood cholesterol levels, platelet aggregation (blood clotting) is diminished and blood circulation is regulated, which may be helpful in reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis, heart ailments and stroke.  It is also said to act as an antioxidant against the damaging portion of cholesterol in the bloodstream.

As a soluble fiber, the same action that works to decrease serum cholesterol levels works to impede absorption of glucose in the bloodstream, and thus, Apple Pectin may be helpful in lowering blood glucose levels by slowing the absorption of dietary sugar.  Because it slows the absorption of food after meals, Apple Pectin may be helpful for people with high blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of dietary sugar after meals.

Apple Pectin is believed to have beneficial effects on the digestive tract.  It is said to balance acidity in the large intestine and has been advocated for those suffering from the temporary discomforts of ulcers and colitis.

Apple may help keep to keep Alzheimer’s away - and fight the effects of ageing on the brain.  The findings of a study at the Center for Cellular Neurobiology and Neurodegeneration Research at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, indicate that consumption of antioxidant-rich Apple (in any form, including the juice) can help reduce problems associated with memory loss.

Apple Pectin is said to be effective in causing regressions in and preventing gallstones.

Apple is an excellent source of the vitamin C , an antioxidant that protects your body's cells from damage.  Vitamin C also helps form the connective tissue collagen, keeps your capillaries and blood vessels healthy, and aids in the absorption of iron and folate.   Rich in vitamins and tannins, Apple is classified as the most valuable fruit in the fight against scurvy, a condition associated with vitamin C deficiency.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) to three (3) capsules, one (1) time each day at a morning or mid-day meal and with water.

Contraindications:  Currently, there are no known warnings or contraindications with the use of Apple Pectin.   When taking fiber supplements, it is always wise to take other medications and supplements at a different time.

Capsule Size:
We use only 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose "00" capsules for all of our encapsulated products. (click here for size comparison)

• Apple Pectin - Botanical Powder -- Approximately 600 mg. each.