Nutritional Supplement

Chitosan for Weight Control

Chitosan

Chitosan is a polysaccharide found in the shells of crustaceans.

Why Do Dieters Use It?*

Some dieters say that chitosan helps decrease appetite.

What Do the Advocates Say?*

Chitosan has been shown to inhibit fat absorption in animals, although in studies in humans chitosan did not inhibit fat absorption. Some research has found that taking chitosan during a weight loss program increases the amount of weight loss. In other studies, however, chitosan was ineffective.

It is important to note that supplementing with chitosan will also cause the body to excrete the important fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, too.

How Much Is Usually Taken by Dieters?

A double-blind Polish study found that people taking 1,500 mg of chitosan three times daily during a weight loss program lost significantly more weight than people taking a placebo with the same program.1 Other studies using smaller amounts of chitosan have reported no effects on weight loss.2,3,4

References

1. Zahorska-Markiewicz B, Krotkiewski M, Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M, Zurakowski A. Effect of chitosan in complex management of obesity. Pol Merkuriusz Lek 2002;13:129-32 [in Polish].

2. Ho SC, Tai ES, Eng PH, et al. In the absence of dietary surveillance, chitosan does not reduce plasma lipids or obesity in hypercholesterolaemic obese Asian subjects. Singapore Med J 2001;42:006-10.

3. Pittler MH, Abbot NC, Harkness EF, Ernst E. Randomized, double-blind trial of chitosan for body weight reduction. Eur J Clin Nutr 1999;53:379-81.

4. Muzzarelli RA. Clinical and biochemical evaluation of chitosan for hypercholesterolemia and overweight control. EXS 1999;87:293-304 [review].

5. Trivedi VR, Satia MC,Deschamps A, et al. Single-blind, placebo controlled randomised clinical study of chitosan for body weight reduction. Nutrition journal. 2016 Jan;15:3

6. Huang H, Liao D, Zou Y, et al. The effects of chitosan supplementation on body weight and body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2020 ;60(11):1815-1825

7. Moraru C, Mincea MM, Frandes M, et al. A Meta-Analysis on Randomised Controlled Clinical Trials Evaluating the Effect of the Dietary Supplement Chitosan on Weight Loss, Lipid Parameters and Blood Pressure. Medicina (Kaunas) 2018 Dec;54:109.

8. Jung EY, Jun SC, Chang UJ, et al. L-ascorbic acid addition to chitosan reduces body weight in overweight women. International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International de Vitaminologie et de Nutrition. 2014 ;84(1-2):5-11

9. Gades MD, Stern JS. Chitosan supplementation and fat absorption in men and women. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2005 Jan;105(1):72-7

10. Gades MD, Stern JS. Chitosan supplementation and fecal fat excretion in men. Obes Res 2003;11:683-8.

11. Gades MD, Stern JS. Chitosan supplementation does not affect fat absorption in healthy males fed a high-fat diet, a pilot study. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2002;26:119-22.

12. Guerciolini R, Radu-Radulescu L, Boldrin M, et al. Comparative evaluation of fecal fat excretion induced by orlistat and chitosan. Obes Res 2001;9:364-7.

13. Gao J, Azad MAK, Han H, et al. Impact of Prebiotics on Enteric Diseases and Oxidative Stress. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2020;26(22):2630-2641

14. Guan G, Azad M, Lin Y, et al. Biological Effects and Applications of Chitosan and Chito-Oligosaccharides. Front Physiol 2019;10:516.

15. Lütjohann D, Marinova M, Wolter K, et al. Influence of Chitosan Treatment on Surrogate Serum Markers of Cholesterol Metabolism in Obese Subjects. Nutrients. 2018;10:72.

16. Huang H, Zou Y, Chi H, et al. Lipid-Modifying Effects of Chitosan Supplementation in Humans: A Pooled Analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis. Mol Nutr Food Res 2018;62:e1700842.

17. Moraru C, Mincea MM, Frandes M, et al. A Meta-Analysis on Randomised Controlled Clinical Trials Evaluating the Effect of the Dietary Supplement Chitosan on Weight Loss, Lipid Parameters and Blood Pressure. Medicina (Kaunas) 2018 Dec;54:109.

18. Koide SS. Chitin-chitosan: properties, benefits and risks. Nutr Res 1998;18:1091-101 [review].

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2024.