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High Molecular Weight Chitosan Reduces Plasma Cholesterol in Healthy, Overweight or Obese Adults
Author(s) -
Rockway Susie W.,
Reynolds Valerie,
Keim Kathy
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.702.29
Subject(s) - chitosan , cholesterol , placebo , weight loss , overweight , triglyceride , chemistry , glucosamine , medicine , endocrinology , lipid profile , body weight , food science , obesity , biochemistry , pathology , alternative medicine
Chitosan, a β‐linked copolymer of glucosamine and N‐acetylglucosamine, is positively charged and soluble in aqueous solutions at pH below 6.2 and has been shown in numerous animal and laboratory studies to bind to bile and fatty acids. This chemical association may explain, in part, the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride lowering seen in animals and some human studies. However, inconsistency in the chemical nature of this compound and various study designs in humans have left doubt that this polymer can impact lipid or weight status in humans. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a high molecular weight chitosan (viscosity ∼500 cP) supplementation on plasma lipids and body weight in 26 subjects randomized to either 4.8 g chitosan or placebo (cellulose). Six capsules were taken 10 minutes prior to two meals each day for 6 weeks. All subjects received weight‐loss counseling and recorded 3‐day food records each week. Total cholesterol and LDL‐c were significantly lower in the chitosan group vs. placebo ( p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively) after 6 weeks; however, HDL was also significantly decreased in the chitosan group (51 vs 45 mg/dL, p = 0.04). No significant changes were seen in body weight in either group. Thus, in this small study, chitosan did not appear to modulate body weight but did show cholesterol lowering affects.