Chitosan

Chitosan Author: Technical Panel 11/04/2006
Also Known As:
Variations:
Related Items: Type:
Fat Storage Inhibitor

WHAT IS IT?
Chitosan (pronounced kite-o-san) is a form of soluble fiber, derived from shellfish, designed to reduce the number of fat calories your body absorbs. Chitosan is typically found in dietary supplements for reducing cholesterol levels and promoting weight loss.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Because fatty acids are negatively charged and Chitosan is a positively charged compound, it is able to attract and bind to fatty acids. As such, Chitosan can absorb many times its weight in fat (including cholesterol) and prevent that fat from being absorbed into the body. Chitosan, like a little magnet for fat, literally wraps itself around fat molecules, and instead of being absorbed by the digestive enzymes in your small intestine, the fat is allowed to pass naturally through the body and excreted.

Dr. Ivan Furda, a senior research scientist at General Mills, was granted a patent (US patent # 4,223,023) after discovering Chitosan's fat binding properties in the late 1970's. Animal research holds the body of wealth of information on chitosan – 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.

Impressive results have also been obtained with human studies. One particular Italian study shows that a combination of chitosan supplements and a 30-day low-calorie diet was highly effective at promoting weight loss (16 pounds) compared to a placebo (7 pounds). Scientists at the American Institute for Biosocial and Medical Research have also shown that subjects using Chitosan lost weight without restricting their calorie intake. The group who didn't use the supplement put on nearly four pounds of weight in the same period. These are significant and positive results for this shellfish compound.

Perfect for cheat meals, Chitosan is designed for anyone who wants to lose weight while still enjoying the rare luxury of an infrequent high fat tastey gourmet  meal. Most other diet supplements, such as thermogenics,  work by increasing the rate at which you lose stored fat. Chitosan actually stops fat from being stored in the first place, by converting it into a form that your body does not and cannot absorb. Since this compound is non digestible it yields no calorific value. The fat binds to the Chitosan and becomes a large mass, which is then eliminated from the body.

Chitosan will allow you to lose weight while still enjoying the occasional "cheat" meal. You will, however, still need to eat correctly most of the time. Chitosan should be used no more than 3-4 times each week — not every day — as it is essential to get some fat in your diet.

HOW MUCH AND WHEN?
Chitosan should be taken at the same time as a high-fat meal. Although there is no evidence to show that it has any adverse side effects, those who have severe allergic reactions to shellfish should not use this product. Because Chitosan is a fibre found in shellfish (such as crab or lobster), there are no side effects, apart from the fact it suppresses your appetite slightly. Some people consider this to be a benefit, as it stops them from eating too much food in one sitting.

Chitosan can be combined with any other diet supplement. However, at high intakes, Chitosan may interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and the carotenoids (such as beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin). To avoid a vitamin deficiency, Chitosan should not be used all the time. 


References:


Related Articles Submitted by Our Visitors
Do you want to write your own article on this subject? Click here.


Supplements Ingredients Dictionary Supplements::Ingredients
Supplements Ingredients Dictionary
Supplements Ingredients Dictionary
Supplementing The Diet Supplements::Basic 28/02/2005
Supplementing The Diet
Supplementing The Diet
Caffeine Supplements::Ingredients 28/01/2006
Caffeine
Caffeine
Cayenne Supplements::Ingredients 29/01/2006
Cayenne
Cayenne
Chitosan Supplements::Ingredients 11/04/2006
Chitosan
Chitosan
Ehpedra Supplements::Ingredients 04/03/2006
Ehpedra
Ehpedra
Ephedrine Supplements::Ingredients 05/03/2006
Ephedrine
Ephedrine
Forskolin Supplements::Ingredients 06/03/2006
Forskolin
Forskolin
Green Tea Supplements::Ingredients 08/03/2006
Green Tea
Green Tea
Guarana Supplements::Ingredients 07/02/2006
Guarana
Guarana
1 Test Supplements::Ingredients 17/02/2006
1 Test
1 Test
19 Nor Supplements::Ingredients 16/02/2006
19 Nor
19 Nor
4AD Supplements::Ingredients 18/02/2006
4AD
4AD
5_HTP Supplements::Ingredients 07/04/2006
5_HTP
5_HTP
7-Keto Supplements::Ingredients 08/04/2006
7-Keto
7-Keto
About creatine-ethyl-ester Supplements::Ingredients 27/02/2006
About creatine-ethyl-ester
About creatine-ethyl-ester
About Gakic Supplements::Ingredients 27/02/2006
About Gakic
About Gakic
ALC Supplements::Ingredients 19/02/2006
ALC
ALC
Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplements::Ingredients 26/01/2006
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Amino Acids Supplements::Ingredients 09/04/2006
Amino Acids
Amino Acids


A Selection of the Most Popular Shopping Pages in the Last Hour
Vitamin/Mineral Supplements

Multi-Mineral Supplements:Vitamin/Mineral Supplements represent one of the broadest categories of nutrients required by the body. Vitami...

Multi-Vitamin Supplements Aches and Pains Supplements

Joint Support Supplements :Aches and Pains Supplements: Reduce and eliminate the problem of joint and tendon damage resulting in aches an...

Joint Repair Supplements
Growth Hormone/Insulin Supplements

Growth Hormone Supplements:Growth Hormone/Insulin Supplements: One of the most highly anabolic hormones in the body is the nutrient shutt...

Insulin Pumps Peak Body Sports Supplements

Peak Body Supplements :Peak Body Fitness and Nutrition, one of the Uk's largest sports nutrition brands, supplying their own huge ran...

Peak Body Products
Stackers Fat Burner Sports Supplements

Stackers Supplements:A single product range, with one of the best known and most respected fat burning diet pill supplements on the...

Stack 2 Fat Burners Solgar VM75

Solgar Vitamins :Solgar are the premier name in vitamin and mineral supplements. The VM75 is the Solgar offering in a one-a-day...

One a day vitamin tablets

All Store Departments
Bodybuilding Supplements Training Equipment Martial Arts Supplies Exercise Accessories and Supplies Cheap Bodybuilding Goods Fitness Technology Weight Training Books
Supplements Equipment Martial Arts Accessories Competition Technology Media

BodyActive
0845 3 70 54 70
Lines Open 9:00 to 5:00 Mon-Sat
 
 
Contact Us
Our Stores & Locations
Add to Favorites
Mail a Friend
Login
Home Buyers Guide About Articles Services Nutrition Training Planner My Page