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Chitosan

Chitosan Supplement Information

Chitosan Review

Chitosan Side Effects

Chitosan Research Study

 

Description

Chitosan and chitin are polysaccharide polymers containing more than 5,000 glucosamine and acetylglucosamine units, respectively, and their molecular weights are over one million Daltons. Chitin is found in fungi, arthropods and marine invertebrates. Commercially, chitin is derived from the exoskeletons of crustaceans (shrimp, crab and other shellfish). Chitosan is obtained from chitin by a deacetylation process.

Chitin, the polysaccharide polymer from which chitosan is derived, is a cellulose-like polymer consisting mainly of unbranched chains of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Deacetylated chitin, or chitosan, is comprised of chains of D-glucosamine. When ingested, chitosan can be considered a dietary fiber.

Chitosan itself is the major source of the nutritional supplement glucosamine.

Actions and Pharmacology

Actions

Chitosan may have hypocholesterolemic activity in some and may be beneficial in renal disease in some.

Mechanism of Action

Chitosan is, at the pH of the gastrointestinal tract, a positively charged polymer and can bind to negatively charged substances. It is believed that chitosan, similar to cholestryamine, has bile acid sequestration activity and that this may be the mechanism for its hypocholesterolemic effect. There is some evidence that chitosan binds to bile acids and some evidence that the polymer affects the metabolism of intestinal bile acids. However, in contrast to cholestyramine, chitosan does not have consistent hypocholesterolemic activity. There is also evidence that chitosan binds to fats in the intestine, blocking their absorption.

The mechanism of action of chitosan's possible beneficial effects on renal disease in some is unknown. Chitosan can absorb urea and ammonia, but it is unclear whether this mechanism has anything to do with its putative renal effects.

Pharmacokinetics

Ingested chitosan can be considered as a cellulose-like dietary fiber. After ingesting, there is minimal digestion and most of the ingested chitosan is excreted in the feces.

Indications and Usage

There is some evidence that supplemental chitosan may have favorable effects on lipids and may be of some use in renal failure. There is some suggestion from available research data that it might be helpful in preventing atherosclerosis and could play a role in wound healing, some types of diabetes and liver disease or injury. Claims that it can help reduce weight, fight cancer, heal ulcers, aid digestion and boost immunity are unsubstantiated.

 

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