Thread: Does Chitosan really work to help you lose weight?

Does Chitosan really work to help you lose weight?

Chitosan is a dietary supplement ingredient which is found in supplements which are intended to promote weight loss and is widely available worldwide. Other potential benefits on Chitosan include a possible reduction in cholesterol from taking the supplement.

* A recent systematic review found that Chitosan did produce statistically significant weight loss in comparison to placebo
* Though statistically significant, the weight loss was minimal and unlikely to be of clinical significance.

What is the potential mechanism of chitosan?

Chitosan is a partially deacetylated polymer of N-acetyl glucosamine which is derived from the polysaccharide chitin. In animal models, it appears to bind to negatively charged lipds and therefore reducing their gastrointestinal update.
Okay, now does Chitosan really work?

A recent systematic review of 15 individual randomized controlled trials comparing the weight loss results from Chitosan use vs. placebo in 1219 participants was published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Jull et al, 2008).

Dosage of Chitosan in studies: range from 0.24 g/day to 15 g/day (mean 3.7 g/day)
Results:

* Body weight: -0.9kg (chitosan alone, p=0.0009) when used with other weight loss agents [-2.7kg, p=0.0008]
* Body mass index: -0.4kg/m2 [p=.0005]
* Total cholesterol: -0.21 mmol/l [p<0.00001]
* Systolic blood pressure: -6mm Hg [P<0.00001]

Side effects:

[only 2/15 studies found these to be sigificantly increased when compared to placebo]

* constipation
* nausea
* bloating
* abdominal pain

Conclusions:

In terms of weight loss, this systematic review did find that Chitosan produced statistically significant weight loss when compared to placebo. However, the actual amount of weight loss was 0.6kg achieved over trial periods ranging from four weeks to six months. However, the amount of weight loss was greater when Chitosan was used with other weight loss dietary supplements. Further, Chitosan did produce statistically significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure. Future trials are required of better quality including more information on the dose and composition of Chitosan used.

* Better quality trials are required with more information on dosage and composition of Chitosan
* Chitosan supplementation did produce statistically significant reducitons in total cholesterol and blood pressure
* Chitosan supplementation did result in statistically significant weight loss–but actual amount of weight loss unlikely to be of clinical significance (0.6kg)

Reference:
Jull AB, Ni Mhurchu C, Bennett DA, Dunshea-Mooij CA, Rodgers A.

Chitosan for overweight or obesity. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jul 16;(3):CD003892.

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I did not find any real weight loss benefits but it did help lower my cholesterol