High cholesterol is a problem for many people. It affects one out of every six Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and oftentimes there are no symptoms. High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease. Chitosan, which is primarily used for plant life as a pesticide and growth enhancer, has recently been suggested to reduce cholesterol by blocking fat from being absorbed by the body.
Identification
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance produced and needed by the body to function properly. Though your liver makes most of your cholesterol, 75 percent, the food you eat makes up the other 25 percent. There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein. For your body to work at its best, LDL and HDL must be in a healthy balance.
Function
The job of HDL cholesterol, often referred to as "good" cholesterol, is to carry away excess LDL cholesterol, referred to as "bad" cholesterol. HDL picks up LDL and carries it to the liver to be excreted from the body. A delicate balance is needed, because if there is too much LDL in the blood, HDL can have a tough time getting rid of all the excess bad cholesterol. The LDL cholesterol that is left behind can stick to artery walls, increasing your risk of heart disease. Likewise, if there is not enough HDL cholesterol in your blood, there is not enough to help get rid of the excess LDL cholesterol.
Chitosan
Chitosan is one of the most common polymers found in nature, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is similar to cellulose and consists of long chains of modified glucose molecules. Chitosan is in the shells of all crustaceans and insects and in fungi, yeast and algae. Commercially prepared chitosan is made from chitin, which is from the shells of crustaceans after edible parts have been removed. The EPA states that chitosan is not expected to harm people, pets, wildlife or the environment when used according to label directions, due to its low potential for toxicity. Researchers have also concluded in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" chitosan safe for humans.
Significance
A study published in the 2003 issue of the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" looked at 84 women participants with mild to moderate high cholesterol. The study involved giving chitosan or a placebo as treatment. Results showed that those given chitosan significantly reduced their total and LDL cholesterol as compared to the placebo group. Another study published in the 2002 issue of the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" followed 21 overweight individuals who were given a supplement with equal amounts of chitosan and glucomannan. The researchers' conclusion was that total, HDL and LDL cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower than before the supplement was taken.
Considerations
There are numerous ways to help prevent high cholesterol. Eating a healthy diet, maintaining your optimal weight and exercising regularly can help reduce your cholesterol. In addition, stay away from smoking and drink alcohol in moderation. Before taking any type of supplement, you should always consult your physician.
References
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Pesticides: Regulating Pesticides: Chitosan; Poly-D-Glucosamine Fact Sheet
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Chitosan Decreases Total Cholesterol in Women: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial; H. Bokura and S. Kobayashi; 2003
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; A Glucomannan and Chitosan Fiber Supplement Decreases Plasma Cholesterol and Increases Cholesterol Excretion in Overweight Normocholesterolemic Humans; D.D. Gallaher et al.; 2002
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: High Cholesterol: Understand Your Risks
- Mayo Clinic: High Cholesterol
- American Heart Association: About Cholesterol
