Chitosan is not an appetite suppressant, it is a fat blocker. You can find chitosan on the list of ingredients in dietary supplements intended for weight loss. However, the verdict on the efficacy of chitosan for weight loss is inconclusive and there is not enough scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration says weight loss claims on the labels of chitosan supplements are unsubstantiated and lack "competent and and reliable scientific evidence."
Chitosan
Chitosan comes from the exoskeleton of shellfish including shrimp and crab, as well as the cell walls of some mushrooms and yeasts. This natural fat blocker binds to fats in your digestive system and blocks your body from absorbing the calories. Since chitosan comes from sea animals, the quality of this supplement can vary depending on the quality of the water and the time of year. Water purification plants use chitosan to remove grease, oils and toxic substances from waste water.
Body Fat
Chitosan effectively reduces excess body fat, according to a study by the Health and Medical Research Center in Texas and reported in the October 2006 issue of the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition." In the study, 150 overweight adults took six 500 mg capsules of chitosan per day or placebo; the rest represented the control group, which followed a weight loss program of their choosing. At the end of the study, the chitosan group lost 2.6 lbs. of fat, the placebo group gained 0.6 lbs. and the control group gained 0.1 lbs.
Weight Loss
Compared to a placebo, chitosan supplements did not produce clinically significant weight loss, according to a study by University of Auckland in New Zealand and reported in the September 2004 issue of the "International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders." In the study, 250 overweight subjects received dietary and lifestyle advice while taking either 3 g of chitosan per day or placebo. After 24 weeks, the group taking chitosan lost 0.4 percent of their body weight and the placebo group gained 0.2 percent.
Side Effects
Taking chitosan supplements may produce side effects, according to a study reviewed by researchers from Thomas Jefferson University and published in the August 2010 issue of the "Journal of Obesity." The participants in the study took 1500 mg of chitosan twice a day with meals for eight weeks. The most commonly reported side effects were bloating, nausea and heart burn, as well as flatulence and an increase in stool bulk.
References
- "International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders"; C.N. Mhurchu, et al.; September 2004
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Evaluating Efficacy Of A Chitosan Product Using A Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Protocol; G.R. Kaats, et al.; October 2006
- Vanderbilt University; Chitosan: The Promise Of A Pill; Kate Beneditct
- Drugs.com: Chitosan
- "Journal of Obesity"; An Evidence-Based Review of Fat Modifying Supplemental Weight Loss Products; Amy M. Egras, et al.; August 2010
- Food and Drug Administration; Warning Letter for Weight Loss Products "Carb Blocker Triple Action Formula" and "Fat Blocker-Chitosan Complex"; October 2004
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