Chitosan is a Weight Loss Supplement Fiber

Chitosan is a Weight Loss Supplement fiber derived from chitin. Chitin is an aminopolysaccharide (combination of sugar and protein) that comes from the shells of shellfish. Chitosan is typically found in dietary supplements for reducing cholesterol levels and promoting weight loss.

• Chitosan is a weight loss supplement that reduces fat absorption
• Chitosan lowers cholesterol levels
• Chitosan promotes weight loss

Because chitosan is a positively charged compound, it is able to attract and bind to fatty acids (which carry a negative charge). As such, chitosan can absorb up to 4-6 times its weight in fat (including cholesterol) and prevent that fat from being absorbed into the body.

This means that for every gram of chitosan that you consume as a supplement, you’ll prevent the absorption of about 4-6 grams of fat (a very rough approximation). If you’re consuming 3-5 grams of chitosan each day, you could be blocking anywhere from 100-300 fat calories from ever being absorbed. The only catch is that the chitosan has to be in your digestive system at the same time as the fat – so typical recommendations are for consumption along with fatty meals (like pizza with extra cheese).

The majority of research on chitosan has been done in animals – where it has been shown to effectively bind to fats in the digestive tract and prevent their absorption. In one study, high doses of chitosan reduced fat absorption by almost half (but these animals were on a very high fat diet and they probably experienced severe diarrhea from all the fat in their stools).

The main beneficial effect of chitosan weight loss supplement

The main beneficial effect of chitosan weight loss supplement appears to be a mild to moderate reduction in serum levels of LDL cholesterol (the bad kind). When evaluated as a weight loss supplement, however, results for chitosan weight loss supplement’s effectiveness have not been consistent. In one Italian study, the combination of chitosan supplements and a 30-day low-calorie diet (1000 calories per day) showed chitosan weight loss supplement to be effective in promoting weight loss (16 lbs.) compared to a placebo (7 lbs.) in obese subjects. More recent studies of overweight volunteers, however, gave 1000-2400 mg of chitosan per day over the course of one month but found no significant effect of chitosan weight loss supplement in promoting weight loss.

In one study, 34 overweight volunteers were assigned to receive either 2 grams of chitosan weight loss supplement or placebo for one month (randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design) while maintaining their normal diet. After 4 weeks of treatment, there were no significant changes in body weight, body mass index, or serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or nutrients (vitamins A, D, and E and beta-carotene).

Chitosan Weight Loss Supplement Studies

In the more recent chitosan weight loss supplement studies, participants were allowed to “eat normally” and were instructed to not change their diets. It may be that chitosan weight loss supplement is more effective in promoting weight loss when used in conjunction with a reduced calorie and reduced fat diet.

Some have suggested that even though chitosan weight loss supplement may block fat absorption quite well, people still end up consuming more calories from other sources throughout the day.

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