What Is Chitosan?

The Chitosan fat blocker is dietary fiber supplement that is made from the shells of shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans. It has been marketed as a fat blocker for years due to early clinical research studies that were done on lab animals back in the 1980′s. The preliminary studies showed that the product was effective in binding with fats that are ingested. These fats are usually broken down in the digestive tract by pancreatic enzymes and bile. Chitosan is designed to stop them from breaking down the fats. This in turn keeps the fats from being absorbed by the body.

How Does Chitosan Work?

The claims are that Chitosan interacts with pancreatic lipase and bile in the small intestine. This renders these enzymes inert. They cannot then actively break down fats in the small intestines as they are designed to do. The fats are then carried along with the fiber through the large intestine to be flushed from the body in the stool.

When the preliminary studies looked very promising, manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon, producing the supplement and marketing it for sale. However when further studies that were done on human subjects, different results were to be had, unfortunately. Dr Judy Stern at the University of California studied the supplement to judge its effectiveness on fat absorption in the body of humans. The results of the study showed that this supplement did not inhibit the pancreatic enzymes from metabolizing fat molecules. Therefore it was not able to inhibit fats from being metabolized by the body as earlier claims had stated. When the study was published, the manufacturer did dispute this study. Results of the dispute could not be found. However, a further study in Singapore gave the same results as Dr Stern’s study, backing up the original data from the University of California’s study.

Should We Still Use Chitosan?

All is not lost, however. On a positive note, a later clinical research study found that this product was able to have positive effects on cholesterol levels. What they were able to determine was that the supplement when taken was able to raise the levels of good cholesterol and lower the amount of bad cholesterol in the body. Some studies found that this supplement was more effective on lowering cholesterol levels than some of the prescription medications on the market today. There has been some reflection and ongoing study to see whether as the cholesterol levels go down, the amounts of atherosclerotic plaque is decreased as well. By removing plaque from the circulatory system, this can help to improve some aspects of cardiovascular disease.

Side Effects Of Chitosan

Even in the light of all the studies, this supplement continues to be marketed to the general public as a fat blocker. In light of the recent studies, consumers would do well to be cautious about using this product for its fat burning qualities. There are some other concerns when it comes to blocking fats from being absorbed by the body. There are several fat soluble vitamins that are required by the body. These would be Vitamins A,E,D and K. Anyone that takes supplements such as this should take a multi vitamin supplement to make sure they are become depleted of the fat soluble vitamins.

Conclusion

With its effectiveness of lowering cholesterol levels, this supplement could be helpful to people who are concerned about this or have issues with high cholesterol. It would be prudent however for anyone who has any type of chronic illness or takes medication on a regular basis to consult with a physician or their healthcare provider before taking this dietary supplement or any other. This is true of any weight loss or diet program as well.