Overview

🧬 Chitosan Overview

Chitosan is a natural fiber derived from the shells of crustaceans like shrimp, crab, and lobster. It is widely used as a dietary supplement to support weight management, lower cholesterol, and promote digestive health. Known for its fat-binding properties, chitosan works by reducing the body’s absorption of dietary fat and cholesterol.

In healthcare, it has shown potential benefits for people with kidney failure on dialysis, where it may improve anemia, strength, appetite, and sleep quality. Chitosan is also used in oral care for gum health (periodontitis) and in plastic surgery to aid tissue regeneration. Additionally, pharmaceutical industries utilize chitosan as a tablet binder, drug delivery agent, and taste-masking ingredient.

🌿 Key Benefits

  • Helps manage obesity and support fat loss

  • Reduces LDL cholesterol

  • Supports gum health and oral hygiene

  • Aids tissue repair post-surgery

  • Improves wellness in patients with renal failure

⚠️ Cautions

  • Not suitable for people with shellfish allergies

  • May cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort

  • Should not be taken with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) within 2 hours

  • Avoid use with Warfarin or other blood thinners

Research Studies / References


arw Chang, M.L.W. (1983) Dietary pectic: effect on metabolic processes in rats. In Unconventional Sources of Dietary Fiber. American Chemical Society Symposium Series no. 214, pp. 143-154, Washington, DC: American Chemical Society.


arw Edwards, C. (1990) Mechanisms of action on dietary fibre on small intestinal absorption and motility. In New Developments in Dietary Fiber, pp. 95-104. New York: Plenum Press.


arw Fukada, Y., Kimura, K. & Ayaki, Y. (1991). Effect of chitosan feeding on intestinal bile acid metabolism in rats. Lipids 26, 395-399.


arw Furda, I. (1990). Interaction of dietary fiber with lipids - mechanic theories and their limitations. In New Developments in Dietary Fiber, pp. 67-82. New York: Plenum Press.


arw Ikeda, I., Sugano, M., Yoshida, K., Sasaki, E., Iwamoto, Y. & Hatano, K. (1993) Effects of chitosan hydrolysates on lipid absorption and on serum and liver lipid concentrations in rats.


arw Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 41, 431-435.


arw Knorr, D. (1991). Recovery and utilisation of chitin and chitosan in food processing waste management. Food Technology 45, 114-122.


arw Maezaki, Y., Tsuji, K., Nakagawa, Y., Kawai, & Akimoto, M. (1993). Hypocholesterolemic effect of chitosan in adult males. Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry 57, 1439-1444.


arw Razdan, A. & Pettersson, D. (1994). Effect of chitin and chitosan on nutrient digestibility and plasma lipid concentrations in broiler chickens. British Journal of Nutrition 72, 277-288.

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