Chitosan is an all natural product which is derived
from the polysaccharide chitin. Chitin is found in the exo-skeletons of shrimp, crabs and
other shellfish. The Chitosan has the unique ability to attach itself to lipids or fats.
There are no calories in Chitosan since it is not digestible.
Chitosan attaches to fat in the stomach before it is metabolized. The Chitosan traps the
fat and prevents its absorption in the digestive tract. The fat binds to the Chitosan
fiber and becomes a large mass which the body cannot absorb. This large mass is then
eliminated from the body. Neutralizing fat after it enters the stomach spares the body
from having to deal with the fat. Chitosan fiber differs from other fibers in that it
possesses a positive ionic charge. This positive charge gives Chitosan the ability to
chemically bond with negatively charged lipids, fats and bile acids.
A 1994 report from ARS Medicina (Helsinki) reported that test subjects lost 8% of body
weight in four weeks when using Chitosan. Other than its fat binding action, chitosan
remains virtually inactive in the human body. Chitosan has been used for over two decades
without side effects.
Another benefit of Chitosan is that it inhibits bad cholesterol and boosts good
cholesterol. Chitosan acts as an antacid and is beneficial in the healing of ulcers and
lesions. Chitosan also has antibacterial properties. People with high blood pressure or
irritable bowel syndrome may also benefit from this fiber.
This dietary fiber is a valuable addition to a properly balanced weight management
program. Fibers also provide important cleansing attributes which aid in the digestive
process and promote digestive tract health.
Technical- How it bonds to fat
Although several mechanisms have been proposed to
explain the inhibitory effect of chitosan on lipid absorption, the presence of repeating
amino groups throughout its polymeric structure appears to be key to its functionality.
Chitosan is soluble in stomach acid and its amino
groups become positively charged via proteination by the acid. In the presence of dietary
fatty acids, which carry net negative charges, ionic bonds form that bind the fatty acids
to the chitosan amino groups.
As the soluble chitosan and fatty acid complex moves
into the small intestine, it also binds with bile acids and cholesterol that are present.
The complex absorbs up to 400 times its weight in water and works even better in the
less acidic ph in the small intestine. This floculation further aids the binding
process by trapping or encapsulating all of the bound lipids, including cholesterol.
As the pH continues to increase, the chitosan
floc forms an insoluble gel consisting of chitosan, bile acids, bound lipids and
cholesterol. The gelation and subsequent insolubility of the chitosan complex prevents any
of the bound fats from being absorbed into the blood stream. This insoluble gel is then
passed into the large intestine which can present unique problems. There are bacterial
flora present in the large intestine which when exposed to fatty acids can create large
amounts of intestinal gas, but since this bound complex is in trapped in this gel it can
not react in this way and is safely passed through. This is a huge advantage as other
methods of preventing fat from absorbing into the body such as olestra and the new
medication Orlistat sends exposed fatty acids into the large intestine and usually results
in disaster in the form of side effects like painful cramping, intestinal gas which can be
very embarrassing. The unique properties of chitosan prevent this situation.
