How It Works
Let's now take a look at exactly what is chitosan and how it is used for weight loss. The allegations of how chitosan works are as follows. However, note that there is no significant studies to thus back up this information or to explain exactly how such procedures take place. Basically stated, chitosan is a special fiber which is able to "soak up" or absorb anywhere from six to ten times its weight in fat and oils. In substance, it is chemically similar to the plant fiber, cellulose. However, chitosan is able to significantly bind with fat molecules and convert them into a form which the human body does not absorb. (Revolutionary Discovery: Chitosan) It claims to affect the fat prior to it reaching the stomach and thus the fat never has a chance to be metabolized. It prevents the absorption and storage of fat by converting into a gel which "traps" the fat. In some sort, it creates a "grease ball" from this excess fat, which is too large to be absorbed by the body. It thus becomes an inert substance and is excreted in the stool. (Absorption of Fats) Chitosan fiber is unlike other fibers in that it carries a positive ionic charge. Since lipids, fats, and bile acids all possess negative charges, there is a chemical bond between the two and thus they attract naturally to one another. (Fat Magnet) This unique ability is what makes chitosan so remarkable. This amazingly "too good to be true" ability is also what causes suspicions to arise on the validity of these claims. . Benefiting Weight Loss
Besides from the obvious effect that fat is not absorbed into the body with the presence of chitosan, it goes a lot deeper in benefiting weight loss. Chitosan is a 100% natural and acts as a super fiber. Thus, supplementing the diet with chitosan, is part of creating a cleansing process which is said to be extremely vital to weight loss. Take note that these are again the simple declarations made by the producers of chitosan and are supported with no background studies or thus medical proof of any sort. Another stated advantage of chitosan comes from the idea that the chitosan-bound fat leaves the intestinal tract without ever entering the bloodstream. Exactly how this process takes place is not clear and seems to be somewhat far fetched. If this indeed is possible, then the point is made that there would be no caloric value and no matter how much chitosan a person takes, the caloric count remains zero. (Revolutionary Discovery: Chitosan) The producers of chitosan-based products also try to claim that since a person taking chitosan continues to eat some sort of fats and is able to continue eating these types of food, the body does not crave such fattening foods nor is it starving or feeling any added sense of hunger. By supplementing chitosan into one's diet, there is less fat that the body accumulates. With less fat entering the body, the body turns to previously stored body fat to burn up. This shifts the energy source from your diet to your stored body fat and results in a net reduction in that fat - and in your weight. (Fat Zapper) Obviously, the allegations are extremely pleasing, now whether or not they actually could be a reality is another side to these claims.
There are many other benefits which chitosan claims to have other than weight loss. It also inhibits LDL cholesterol and boosts HDL cholesterol. It promotes the healing of ulcers and lesions, helps to control blood pressure, reduces blood levels of uric acid, helps prevent constipation, acts as an antacid, helps prevent irritable bowel syndrome, enhances calcium to strengthen bones, inhibits plaque/tooth decay, and offers anti-tumor action.
Quote:
Evaluating efficacy of a chitosan product using a double-blinded, placebo-controlled protocol. J Am Coll Nutr. 2006. Health and Medical Research Center, 4940 Broadway, Suite 201, San Antonio, TX
To examine the safety and efficacy of a chitosan dietary supplement on body composition under free-living conditions. In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled dietary intervention protocol, subjects were assigned to a chitosan treatment group, a placebo group (PLA) and a control group (CTL). A total of 150 overweight adults enrolled; 134 (89%) completed the study; 111 (82%) were women who were similarly distributed in the three groups. The chitosan treatment group took six 500 mg chitosan capsules per day and both chitosan treatment and PLA groups wore pedometers during their waking hours and recorded daily step totals. The CTL group followed weight loss programs of their choice, and took the same baseline and ending tests. Outcome measures were Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry tests, fasting blood chemistries, and self-reported daily activity levels and caloric intakes. Compared to the control group, the chitosan treatment group lost more weight and fat mass. Compared to PLA, the chitosan treatment group lost more weight, % fat, fat mass. These data provide evidence for the efficacy of a chitosan compound to facilitate the depletion of excess body fat under free-living conditions with minimal loss of fat-free or lean body mass. https://www.raysahelian.com/chitosan.html
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- Jim
That which does not kill us makes us stronger. -Friedrich Nietzsche
I've used Chitosan in the past, taking a couple of capsules just before a fatty meal or snack like BBQ pork ribs, ice cream, etc. If higher than recommended doses are taken, it can be harsh on the digestive system and may cause bleeding. I think it works well if used responsibly. I stopped taking it, it was kind of like a diabetic that eats whatever sweets they want, and follow up with a couple of their prescription pills...better to limit the sweets in the first place.
__________________ "We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanual Kant~
Gosh. Thanks k2c for the info. My naturopath wants me to take one bottle only. I'm underweight, so that is not why I need it. I am seeing him for decades of constipation and sinus problems. So, I'll do one month's worth.
Gosh. Thanks k2c for the info. My naturopath wants me to take one bottle only. I'm underweight, so that is not why I need it. I am seeing him for decades of constipation and sinus problems. So, I'll do one month's worth.
I had my husband try it, and although he had no problems whatsoever with ulcers, hemorrhoids, etc. he had a small amount of bleeding, he absolutely refuses to use Chitosan again. Figured it was the ground shells from the shellfish they use. I had similar problems when I took it too often or at too high of a dose. Your naturopath may be offering a higher quality product than we used, I'd trust his guidance since you've known him for so long.
The bleeding is good to know about. I will stop nattokinase for the duration and perhaps serrapeptase too. I don't think the bleeding would be from the crushed shells, because I take diatomaceous Earth which is crushed shells with no problem. I'll watch for that.
On the other hand I just found this.
Chitosan's properties allow it to rapidly clot blood, and has recently gained approval in the United States and Europe for use in bandages and other hemostatic agents. Chitosan hemostatic products have been shown in testing by the U.S. Marine Corps to quickly stop bleeding, and result in 100% survival of otherwise lethal arterial wounds in swine and to reduce blood loss.[31] Chitosan hemostatic products reduce blood loss in comparison to gauze dressings and increase patient survival.[32] Chitosan hemostatic products have been sold to the U.S. Army and are currently used by the UK military. Both the US and UK have already used the bandages on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.[33] Chitosan is hypoallergenic and has natural antibacterial properties, which further support its use in field bandages.[34]
I'll just have to monitor it as best I can on only use the one bottle as recommended by the naturopath.
Chitosan for weight loss
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