At XY Wellness, we seek to support the natural strengths of your body. To do this, we provide information and recommendations for choices of lifestyle and supplements. One of our most popular products is called ImmunoPCTN. This blend of botanicals (ingredients listed below) is designed to help support a healthy immune system as well as healthy cells.

All of the ingredients in ImmunoPCTN are documented by good science that shows their potential positive effects in the growth and maintenance of healthy cells, particularly your immune system. In this post, I’ll give some examples of the support behind our product.

Modified Citrus Pectin

Don’t balk when you see the word “modified” in the name of this compound. Pectin is a complex molecule made up of hundreds of sugar molecules, and modified citrus pectin has been broken into smaller pieces to make it easier to absorb. Modified citrus pectin can induce apoptosis (cell death) in unwanted cells, and some non-randomized trials have indicated modified citrus pectin’s ability to slow increasing PSA levels (Jackson et al., 2007; Guess et al., 2003). Also, Jiang et al. (2013) found that modified citrus pectin was able to inhibit the growth of harmful cells when paired with other organic compounds.

Reishi Mushroom

The Reishi mushroom has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is sanctified in Vietnamese culture as the “supernatural mushroom.” Although this fungus has only recently become the focus of scientific inquiry, research has provided preliminary evidence for its effectiveness in boosting the body’s immune cells and modulating cell developmentin a positive way (Lin & Zhang, 2004; Xu, Chen, Zhong, Chen & Wang, 2011; Wu et al., 2013).

Green Tea Extract

Green tea has its origins in Indian and Chinese medicine as a pain reliever, but recent research suggests it also creates an environment hostile to unwanted cell growth. One randomized study found that long term treatment with a substance derived from green tea (called epigallocatechin 3-gallate) dramatically reduced the number of problem cells in patients’ subsequent biopsies (Bettuzi et al., 2006). Another investigation found a small but significant effect on risk factors for disease (Jatoi et al., 2003). In addition, mouse studies have shown that long term oral doses of green tea extract can inhibit the growth of unhealthy cells with no toxic effects (Kim et al., 2013).

Curcumin C3 Complex

Curcumin is a compound found in the popular yellow spice turmeric, which is made from the dried root of the turmeric plant. Epidemiological studies have shown that higher curcumin intake is correlated with lower incidence of certain serious ailments (Aggarwal et al., 2007; Hebert et al., 1998). A randomized, double-blind trial in 2010 showed that curcumin combined with soy isoflavones had the potential to lower the risk factors for unhealthy cell growth (Ide et al., 2010). More recently, curcumin has been shown to disrupt a chemical reaction crucial to the proliferation of problematic cells (Killian et al., 2012).

Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract comes from white grapes and contains several powerful chemicals. There is some evidence that grape seed extract may positively affect the healing of skeletal muscles as well as modulate cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure and heart rate (Myburgh, Kruger & Smith, 2012; Feringa, Laskey, Dickson & Coleman, 2011). Another study found that grade seed proanthocyanidines had a modulatory effect on oxidative stress, affected the immune system, and may have had protective effects against unhealthy skin cell growth (Katiyar, 2008). In addition, a Korean study found that grape seed extract could potentially reduce unhealthy cell chemistry (Park et al., 2011).

Pomegranate Extract

Pomegranate polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that seem to have benefits for healthy cell development. For example, Pantuck et al. (2006) found that pomegranate juice had a significant modulatory effect on risk factors for problematic cell development. Other studies have found pomegranate extract to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (Costantini et al., 2014; Wang et al., 2013).

Boswellia Serrata Extract

Boswellia serrata is a plant native to India that is used to make frankincense. In addition to their importance to the perfume industry, derivatives of certain species of Boswellia may interact with cell chemistry to support natural cell proliferation (Estrada et al., 2010; Pang et al., 2009).

We have chosen these seven ingredients for ImmunoPCTN because of their unique potential to turn your body into an environment hostile to disease. In conjunction with a balanced diet and moderate exercise, the all-natural ingredients of ImmunoPCTN work together to support your body’s innate ability to thrive.


References

Bettuzzi, S., Brausi, M., Rizzi, F., Castagnetti, G., Peracchia, G., & Corti, A. (2006). Chemoprevention of human prostate cancer by oral administration of green tea catechins in volunteers with high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia: a preliminary report from a one-year proof-of-principle study. Cancer Res, 66(2), 1234-1240. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-1145

Costantini, S., Rusolo, F., De Vito, V., Moccia, S., Picariello, G., Capone, F., . . . Volpe, M. G. (2014). Potential anti-inflammatory effects of the hydrophilic fraction of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seed oil on breast cancer cell lines. Molecules, 19(6), 8644-8660. doi: 10.3390/molecules19068644

Estrada, A. C., Syrovets, T., Pitterle, K., Lunov, O., Buchele, B., Schimana-Pfeifer, J., . . . Simmet, T. (2010). Tirucallic acids are novel pleckstrin homology domain-dependent Akt inhibitors inducing apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Mol Pharmacol, 77(3), 378-387. doi: 10.1124/mol.109.060475

Feringa, H. H., Laskey, D. A., Dickson, J. E., & Coleman, C. I. (2011). The effect of grape seed extract on cardiovascular risk markers: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Am Diet Assoc, 111(8), 1173-1181. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2011.05.015

Guess, B. W., Scholz, M. C., Strum, S. B., Lam, R. Y., Johnson, H. J., & Jennrich, R. I. (2003). Modified citrus pectin (MCP) increases the prostate-specific antigen doubling time in men with prostate cancer: a phase II pilot study. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis, 6(4), 301-304. doi: 10.1038/sj.pcan.4500679

Ide, H., Tokiwa, S., Sakamaki, K., Nishio, K., Isotani, S., Muto, S., . . . Horie, S. (2010). Combined inhibitory effects of soy isoflavones and curcumin on the production of prostate-specific antigen. Prostate, 70(10), 1127-1133. doi: 10.1002/pros.21147

Jackson, C. L., Dreaden, T. M., Theobald, L. K., Tran, N. M., Beal, T. L., Eid, M., . . . Mohnen, D. (2007). Pectin induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells: correlation of apoptotic function with pectin structure. Glycobiology, 17(8), 805-819. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwm054

Jatoi, A., Ellison, N., Burch, P. A., Sloan, J. A., Dakhil, S. R., Novotny, P., . . . Flynn, P. J. (2003). A phase II trial of green tea in the treatment of patients with androgen independent metastatic prostate carcinoma. Cancer, 97(6), 1442-1446. doi: 10.1002/cncr.11200

Jiang, J., Eliaz, I., & Sliva, D. (2013). Synergistic and additive effects of modified citrus pectin with two polybotanical compounds, in the suppression of invasive behavior of human breast and prostate cancer cells. Integr Cancer Ther, 12(2), 145-152. doi: 10.1177/1534735412442369

Katiyar, S. K. (2008). Grape seed proanthocyanidines and skin cancer prevention: Inhibition of oxidative stress and protection of immune system. Molecular nutrition & food research, 52(Suppl 1), S71-S76. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.200700198

Killian, P. H., Kronski, E., Michalik, K. M., Barbieri, O., Astigiano, S., Sommerhoff, C. P., . . . Bachmeier, B. E. (2012). Curcumin inhibits prostate cancer metastasis in vivo by targeting the inflammatory cytokines CXCL1 and -2. Carcinogenesis, 33(12), 2507-2519. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgs312

Kim, S. J., Amankwah, E., Connors, S., Park, H. Y., Rincon, M., Cornnell, H., . . . Park, J. Y. (2014). Safety and chemopreventive effect of Polyphenon E in preventing early and metastatic progression of prostate cancer in TRAMP mice. Cancer Prev Res (Phila), 7(4), 435-444. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-13-0427-t

Lin, Z. B., & Zhang, H. N. (2004). Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum and its possible mechanisms. Acta Pharmacol Sin, 25(11), 1387-1395.

Myburgh, K. H., Kruger, M. J., & Smith, C. (2012). Accelerated skeletal muscle recovery after in vivo polyphenol administration. J Nutr Biochem, 23(9), 1072-1079. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2011.05.014

Pang, X., Yi, Z., Zhang, X., Sung, B., Qu, W., Lian, X., . . . Liu, M. (2009). Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid inhibits prostate tumor growth by suppressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-mediated angiogenesis. Cancer Res, 69(14), 5893-5900. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-0755

Park, S. Y., Lee, Y. H., Choi, K. C., Seong, A. R., Choi, H. K., Lee, O. H., . . . Yoon, H. G. (2011). Grape seed extract regulates androgen receptor-mediated transcription in prostate cancer cells through potent anti-histone acetyltransferase activity. J Med Food, 14(1-2), 9-16. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2010.1264

Pantuck, A. J., Leppert, J. T., Zomorodian, N., Aronson, W., Hong, J., Barnard, R. J., . . . Belldegrun, A. (2006). Phase II study of pomegranate juice for men with rising prostate-specific antigen following surgery or radiation for prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res, 12(13), 4018-4026. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-2290

Wang, Y., Nangia-Makker, P., Balan, V., Hogan, V., & Raz, A. (2010). Calpain activation through galectin-3 inhibition sensitizes prostate cancer cells to cisplatin treatment. Cell Death Dis, 1, e101. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2010.79

Wang, Y., Zhang, S., Iqbal, S., Chen, Z., Wang, X., Wang, Y. A., . . . Wu, D. (2013). Pomegranate extract inhibits the bone metastatic growth of human prostate cancer cells and enhances the in vivo efficacy of docetaxel chemotherapy. Prostate. doi: 10.1002/pros.22769

Wu, G. S., Guo, J. J., Bao, J. L., Li, X. W., Chen, X. P., Lu, J. J., & Wang, Y. T. (2013). Anti-cancer properties of triterpenoids isolated from Ganoderma lucidum - a review. Expert Opin Investig Drugs, 22(8), 981-992. doi: 10.1517/13543784.2013.805202

Xu, Z., Chen, X., Zhong, Z., Chen, L., & Wang, Y. (2011). Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides: immunomodulation and potential anti-tumor activities. Am J Chin Med, 39(1), 15-27. doi: 10.1142/s0192415x11008610

Yuan, J. M. (2013). Cancer prevention by green tea: evidence from epidemiologic studies. Am J Clin Nutr, 98(6 Suppl), 1676S-1681S. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.058271