Chitosan May Be Ineffective For Weight Loss

Chitosan may be ineffective in producing weight loss and reduction in serum lipids through gastrointestinal fat binding, according to an Australian study published in the September issue of the International Journal of Obesity (28, 9:1149?1156, 2004) (www.nature.com/ijo).

In the 24-week, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial, scientists at the University of Auckland administered 3 g/d of chitosan to 250 subjects with a mean body mass index of 35.5 (5.1) kg², 82 percent of whom were women with mean age of 48. All participants received dietary and lifestyle counseling.

The study participants were measured for changes in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, blood pressure, serum lipids, plasma glucose, fat-soluble vitamins, fecal fat and health-related quality of life. The chitosan group lost more body weight than the placebo group during the study, but the effects were negligible. There were similarly inconsequential changes in low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol and glucose levels.

The researchers concluded chitosan treatment did not result in a clinically significant loss of body weight compared with placebo in the 24-week trial.