Chitosan is extracted from the shells of crustaceans, such as shrimp and crab. Chitosan is not digestible but may have beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Chitosan appears to reduce the absorption of bile acids or cholesterol; either of these effects may cause a lowering of blood cholesterol. This effect has been demonstrated in animals, and a preliminary human study showed that 3–6 grams per day of chitosan taken for two weeks resulted in a 6% drop in cholesterol and a 10% increase in HDL (the “good”) cholesterol.

Chitosan pill, 500 mg

Chitosan, a fiber derived from chitin in shell-fish, is a nondigestible aminopolysaccharide. Chitosan is synthesized by removing acetyl groups from chitin, through a process called deacetylation. This process enhances the activity of chitosan by improving its solubility in the acidic environment of the stomach.

Chitosan Supplement Facts:
Chitosan (minimum 90% deacetylated chitin) 500 mg

Suggested Use: Two chitosan capsules before lunch and two capsules before dinner. Drink at least 4 glasses of fluid daily.
* Chitosan daily value not established
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Chitosan Summary
Studies evaluating the role of chitosan in weight loss have produced mixed results. Chitosan supplement use may help some people lose weight, but there are better alternatives to chitosan.

5-HTP is a nutrient that helps curb appetite in some individuals . 5-HTP, by converting into serotonin, can be used temporarily to improve will power and decrease the urge to eat until more established weight loss habits are in place.
Hoodia is a cactus plant extract from the Kalahari desert in South Africa. Hoodia-Extract has been getting a lot of attention lately.
Green-Tea-Extract is helpful. Additional helpful herbs could be Garcinia cambogia which has Hydroxycitric Citrimax. and Citrus-Aurantium. For more information on garcinia.

Chitosan Research Update
Efficacy of a novel chitosan formulation on fecal fat excretion: a double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study.
Barroso Aranda J. Oasis of Hope Hospital, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
J Med. 2002;33(1-4):209-25.
The ability of a novel chitosan formulation to influence gastrointestinal fat absorption in vivo was examined in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study by determining the content of total fat in feces in two groups of subjects. Twenty-nine normal healthy subjects were recruited for the study. Twenty-four participants completed the test period with the chitosan formulation, and 21 completed the placebo phase of the study. During the placebo and the test periods, the subjects were administered six capsules three times daily 10 minutes before meals for three days and for the two days of the stool collection. A daily serving of six tablets of the tested compound contained 2100 mg chitosan and 300 mg psyllium husk seeds. In respect to the baseline period, the test compound increased fat excretion significantly whether the test period preceded or proceeded the placebo period. In contrast, essentially no changes were seen during the placebo loading periods. A statistically significant increase in fecal fat excretion was observed over baseline following oral supplementation of a novel formulation of chitosan and psyllium husk seeds. The average daily increase in fecal fat of 3-4 grams over control could account for a decrease in calorie consumption of 30-40 kcal per day. This novel formulation containing chitosan plus psyllium husk seeds increases fecal fat excretion.

Effect of chitosan in complex management of obesity
Zahorska-Markiewicz B. Katedra Patofizjologii Sl. AM w Katowicach.
The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of chitosan as a possible adjuvant in the complex management of obesity. Fifty obese women (22-59 years, BMI > 30) participated in the study. A six months program consisted of 2-hour meetings with a physician, psychologist and dietitian, in a group of about 20 persons, every two weeks. Low calorie diet (1000 kcal/day), physical activity and behaviour modification were recommended. Supplementation with chitosan was evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. In the chitosan group, participants received ChitininN (Primex Ingredients ASA, Avaldsnes, Norway) i.e. 750 mg pure chitosan per tablet, two tablets three times daily before each main meal. The placebo group received identical placebo tablets. Significantly higher body weight loss was noted in the chitosan supplemented group (15.9 kg) than in the placebo group (10.9 kg) Also a greater decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed in the chitosan group. There was no difference between the groups in the decrease of LDL and total cholesterol. No adverse effects were noted but the number of drop-outs was higher in the placebo group than in the chitosan group. Chitosan can be used as a valuable and safe adjuvant in long-term dietary treatment of obesity. Chitosan seems to accentuate the reduction of blood pressure associated with weight reduction.

This chitosan pill page was last updated March 2008.

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