Chitosan, a polymer of glucosamine
and N-acetylglucosamine, was discovered in the late 19th century by
Professor C. Rouget. However, it was not until the 1970s that Dr.
Ivan Furda, Ph.D. determined its fat-absorbing effects and potential
as a weight loss aid. During a process called deacetylation, a
charged amide group is formed, thus giving chitosan a unique
molecular structure.
As a result it is the only known
positively-charged dietary fiber with the ability to bind fat and
bile salts and pass them out of the body safely, without the
unpleasant side effects associated with various OTC and pharma fat
blockers.
Since its discovery in the 1970s,
chitosan has been the focus of increased scientific inquiry. These
reviews have uncovered additional benefits and applications beyond
weight management. In fact, scientific inquiries have expanded
chitosan’s potential to include use as:
- an anti-uricemic
- an anti-osteoporotic
- an anti-metastatic
- an anti-bacterial agent
- an aid in wound healing
- an aid in lowering cholesterol
How does weight loss
happen using Chitosan?
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.
Another stated advantage of
chitosan comes from the idea that the chitosan-bound fat leaves the
intestinal tract without ever entering the bloodstream.
This means that there is no caloric
value and no matter how much chitosan a person takes, the caloric
count remains zero.
As the 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.
The human body is very good at
conserving energy by slowing down cellular metabolism, so even at
low calorie intake, some people will not lose weight. So, how can
chitosan help with weight loss? It can help by decreasing the amount
of kcal we get by inhibiting some dietary fat absorption.
This is because fat provides
approximately 9 kcal for every gram of fat eaten, and carbohydrates
provide only 4 kcal per gram of carbohydrate eaten; so, when you
consume chitosan, it binds to the fat and both get expelled from the
body. Thus, you decrease your intake of calories from fat. Decrease
enough calories, and you can begin to lose weight.
Remember, it takes 3500 kcal extra
from what you need (or 389 g. fat) to equal one pound of body
fat—you have to decrease your kcal by that amount to lose weight. It
won't happen over night! Typically, losing about one pound per week
is what nutritionists recommend—that way, you are more likely to
lose your stored fat and not water.
Each Tablet Supplies:
Chitosan 250mg
Microcrystalline cellulose 70mg
Stearic acid 9mg
Vitamin C 5mg
Suggested use:
As a dietary supplement take 2-4 tablets before lunch and dinner, to
be taken with a large glass of water 240ml (8fl oz).
