Chitosan

Chitosan is a non-digestible fiber that is derived from the shells of lobsters, crabs, and other crustaceans.  As it chitosan is extracted and taken in a form of supplement along with meals, many reports mentioned that chitosan will greatly promote weight loss as it is bonded into the fat molecules that are present in the digestive tract, then preventing the body from taking the fat.

In terms of its effectiveness and safety as a diet aid, there are still some existing controversies, basically contrasting ideas that placed a certain level of doubt to the minds of those who wish to loss weight.  But whether the chitosan is effective or not, a number of clinical trials and researches have noted that taking the chitosan supplement may aid in weight loss. 

One of the supports for this claim is the report made by one clinical trial demonstrating that those who applied the chitosan supplement for a month along with a calorie-controlled diet specifically lost for at least 8 percent of their total body weight.  However, since the chitosan is combined with a calorie-controlled diet, the exact computation for how much was due to the chitosan and to the calorie-controlled diet still remains unknown.

However, there are other clinical trials conducted which do not support the claim that chitosan is good for losing weight.  In particular, a carefully developed trial in England in the year 1999 which involves 34 overweight  individuals have found out that chitosan supplements were not that better as of placebo in decreasing the total body weight.

Despite the controversy behind the effectiveness and safety of chitosan, some advertisements still consider taking the chitosan supplements for the purpose of indulging in the fatty meal.  But for some, this is not really the case.  It doesn’t mean at all that because chitosan has the power to bind with some of the fats in the digestive tract in order not to absorb the fats, chitosan does not really work to cover them all.   The experts noted that the real issue here is in fact to try chitosan supplements for weight loss and at the same time to notice the total calorie intake, then lessen the fat in their diet, and perform some exercise.

There is also some research showing that the chitosan may have the power to reduce cholesterol, which is another effect of chitosan’s fat-binding properties.  But this speculation is still validated along with the claim that the supplement has played a vital role in controlling the onset of ulcers, arthritis, and high blood pressure.  Such findings are still unsubstantiated.

Perhaps, one of the proven health effects of the chitosan is its ability to treat renal failures as well as to prevent atherosclerosis.  Aside from that, it was also found out that it has the capability to heal wounds and some types of diabetes and liver disease or injury. 

Chitosan supplement are now available in the form capsules and tablets.  The only recommendation for taking it is to apply 1000 to 1200 mg of the supplement twice a day for cholesterol-lowering effect, which is usually taken before or after meals and with a glass of water.  But it is necessary to note that chitosan is not applicable for those who have allergies to shellfish.