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Side Effects Adverse effects on the growth of children and on the outcome of pregnancy are possible. Interactions with Medicines As of the last update, we found no reported interactions between this supplement and medicines. It is possible that unknown interactions exist. If you take medication, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.
These get carried out of the gut and removed with the stool. In other words, chitosan may reduce the absorption of fats and toxins in your gut by binding to them, a mechanism observed in rat studies [ 4 ]. When chitosan is applied to the skin, it frees active compounds that reduce inflammation and enhance rejuvenation. In cells, chitosan lowered the action of several inflammatory compounds such as IL-1b ; it also increased the action of anti-inflammatory ones, such as IL — a cytokine essential for skin regeneration and wound healing [ 5 , 6 ].
Chitosan gels can help speed up wound healing and aid in surgery recovery. In a meta-analysis of three clinical studies, chitosan gel dressing reduced swelling and helped stop bleeding after sinus surgery. The dressing did not influence crusting or infections [ 7 ]. In one study, topical chitosan stimulated collagen production, increased the local immune response, encouraged tissue regeneration, and prevented scarring [ 9 ]. Researchers have been studying chitosan as a binding agent for table salt for the management of high blood pressure hypertension.
No valid clinical evidence supports the use of chitosan for any of the conditions in this section. Below is a summary of up-to-date animal studies, cell-based research, or low-quality clinical trials which should spark further investigation.
Chitosan forms connective films, attaching to bile and fatty acids in the gut. The films then pass through your digestive system, potentially increasing the amount of fat removed in the stool [ 12 , 13 ]. But placebo alone helped people lose up to 4 lbs. A Cochrane database review included 15 clinical trials of 1, total participants. However, this review failed to confirm increased fat excretion.
By attaching to and enhancing the removal of excess fats, it may also increase the elimination of important minerals such as calcium and fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D and vitamin A [ 16 ]. Further clinical trials should investigate long-term safety and efficacy of chitosan supplements for weight loss.
In one trial of 84 women, chitosan worked to lower total cholesterol levels better than placebo. In a subgroup of women over 60 years of age, it also reduced LDL and total cholesterol [ 17 ].
On the other hand, chitosan failed to improve cholesterol levels in three studies of participants in the absence of dietary changes [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. It may be a safe option for people with borderline-high cholesterol levels, along with appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes. More research is needed. Chitosan supplements may help people with kidney disease or kidney failure, but the research to-date is sparse.
In one older trial, chitosan given to 40 people with kidney failure improved strength, appetite, and sleep after 12 weeks. It also increased hemoglobin and reduced blood creatinine and urea levels, which points to its potential to improve kidney function [ 21 ].
Additionally, high phosphorus levels are strongly linked with a higher risk of dying in people with chronic kidney disease. In rats, an iron -chitosan complex reduced blood phosphorus levels.
This complex can bind phosphorus stronger than most other available phosphorus binders [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Chewing chitosan gum also became a popular method for reducing high phosphate levels in people with kidney disease. However, chitosan gum is not as good as it sounds. In fact, it is probably downright ineffective.
One study found that chitosan gum lowered phosphate levels after just two weeks of chewing. Recent studies failed to replicate the results [ 25 ].
It turns out that the amount of chitosan in chitosan chewing gum is too low to have a phosphate-binding effect. And according to a detailed analysis, the study was poorly designed, while the benefits boil down to a placebo effect [ 25 ]. It can be formulated into products for fighting cavities and boosting oral health. Some people chew chitosan gum to prevent or reduce gum inflammation , though no studies confirmed their effectiveness.
In one clinical study, a chitosan mouth-rinse reduced plaque build-up and bacterial growth that leads to gum disease [ 26 , 27 ]. No clinical evidence supports the use of chitosan for any of the conditions listed in this section. Below is a summary of the existing animal and cell-based studies; they should guide further investigational efforts but should not be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit.
Chitosan oligosaccharides decreased fatigue in sleep -deprived rats. It also curbed other undesirable fatigue-triggered effects, such as weight loss and immobility [ 28 , 29 ].
Additionally, chitosan lowered excess levels of the stress hormone cortisol in fatigued mice and raised their levels of an important antioxidant called superoxide dismutase SOD [ 30 , 29 ]. Chitosan oligosaccharide might reduce inflammation, but clinical trials are still lacking [ 31 , 5 ].
In rats, this oligosaccharide lowered inflammation in the brain, suppressing the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1b and TNF-alpha [ 32 ]. LPS can trigger a strong inflammatory response and may sneak into the blood in people with leaky gut [ 33 ]. This effect may help strengthen the gut barrier [ 35 , 34 ]. In another recent study, piglets eating a chitosan oligosaccharide-enhanced diet experienced reduced gut inflammation [ 36 ].
Chitosan oligosaccharide may have some brain-protective properties. Chitosan might bind to and help remove toxins. Since it eliminates bacteria such as E. Despite this, its effects on clearing toxins in humans have yet to be explored [ 42 , 43 ]. The present study illustrates the value and importance of clinical research in evaluating the efficacy of dietary supplements. Halsted CH. Squires S. Google Scholar. Hirano S. Chitin biotechnology applications Biotechnol A Rev 2 : — Enforma Natural Products.
Shape Up America! A new predictive equation for resting energy expenditure in healthy individuals Am J Clin Nutr 51 : — National Research Council US. Committee on Dietary Allowances Recommended dietary allowances, 10th edn. Lippincott: Philadelphia, PA Seligson D. Standard methods of clinical chemistry.
Academic Press: New York Enforma system. Effect of chitosan on renal function in patients with chronic renal failure J Pharm Pharmac 49 : — Hypocholesterolemic effect of chitosan in adult males Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 59 : — Article Google Scholar.
The binding of micellar lipids to chitosan Lipids 18 : — Furda I, Brine CJ. American Chemical Society Meeting. New developments in dietary fiber: physiological, physicochemical, and analytical aspects. Plenum Press: New York Mechanism for the inhibition of fat digestion by chitosan and for the synergistic effect of ascorbate Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 59 : — Effect of chitosan feeding on intestinal bile acid metabolism in rats Lipids 26 : — Dietary chitosan inhibits hypercholesterolaemia and atherogenesis in the apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse model of atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis : — Effect of orlistat and chitosan on faecal fat excretion in young healthy volunteers Obesity Res 7 Suppl 1 : 50S Abstract O Decreasing effect of chitosan on the apparent fat digestibility by rats fed on a high-fat diet Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 58 : — Ernst E, Pittler M.
Chitosan as a treatment for body weight reduction? A meta-analysis Perfusion 11 : — Randomized, double-blind trial of chitosan for body weight reduction Eur J Clin Nutr 53 : — Download references.
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar. Correspondence to JS Stern. Reprints and Permissions. Gades, M. Chitosan supplementation does not affect fat absorption in healthy males fed a high-fat diet, a pilot study.
Int J Obes 26, — Download citation. Received : 18 April Revised : 02 July Accepted : 24 July Published : 15 January
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