Chitosan is often called a substance of the 21st century, as many countries in the world are now actively studying it. International societies devoted to its study are being created and large conferences on its role in human life are being held regularly.
The number of its promising uses exceeds 70: as a remedy for cancer and a hemostatic, in plant protection against mold and microbes, for the production of filters for water and packages for long-term storage of food, and so on. But what about its value as a weight loss product? After all, the number of dietary supplements based on it, promising quick weight loss, is growing every day.
What is it?
Many people wonder what is chitosan at all: this word is not common in our daily conversations, and most people have no idea what it means. That is why natural curiosity arises when suddenly they are offered to try products based on it for weight loss. Are they really effective or is it just another advertising bubble in the supplements market, promising “to lose 25 kg in a month”?
From the point of view of chemistry, chitosan is a polysaccharide (amino sugar), a complex carbohydrate. It is obtained from chitin, the main component of the exoskeleton (shell) of arthropods and other invertebrates, and the cell wall of some fungi.
Its main function is intensive cleansing:
- contains a large number of free amino groups, blocking and retaining ions of radioactive isotopes;
- forms branched hydrogen bonds, capturing toxins in the digestive tract and removing them from the body;
- participates in numerous hydrophobic interactions, adsorbing hydrocarbons and fats.
The scope of its application is very wide: agriculture, food industry, cosmetology, and pharmaceuticals (mainly for encapsulation). In recent years, a huge number of dietary supplements for weight loss and health-improving sports have appeared on the market based on it.
Etymology. The word “chitin” is derived from the Greek “chiton”, which means “clothing”.
Brief description
If you are thinking of using chitosan for weight loss, it will be useful for you to get to know it better and understand what this substance is all about.
Names: Chitosan, Hitozan.
Chemical names: β-(1,4)-2-amino-2-deoxyD-glucose, poly-D-glucosamine, poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine.
Chemical formula: C56H103N9O39.
Structural formula:
Main purpose:
- detoxification of the body;
- weight loss due to its ability to bind fat molecules in the digestive tract and remove them.
Chemical properties:
- free-flowing powder;
- color from white to dark yellow;
- odorless;
- poorly soluble in water;
- completely soluble in acetic, citric, succinic, and oxalic acids.
Release form:
- tablets;
- capsules;
- drinks;
- concentrates.
Features of production:
- not a medicine, but a dietary supplement;
- meets all the requirements of the Technical Regulations for products subject to sanitary-epidemiological supervision;
- meets the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia during pilot studies;
- safe when used according to the instructions;
- does not contain GMOs.
Main sources:
- fungi Zygomycota, Aspergillaceae, Penicillium, etc;
- yeast;
- shells of crustaceans: crabs, shrimps, lobsters;
- integuments, insect wings: Colorado potato beetle, cockchafer, stag beetle, ground beetles, cicadas, etc.
There are more than 15 known methods for extracting chitosan from crustacean shells, but all of them are quite expensive. That is why nowadays attempts are being made to obtain it synthetically in the laboratory. In the meantime, the cuticle covering the body of insects is mainly used.
About everything in the world. In Japan, chitin is used as the best filter for water purification both at home and at the industrial level.
Benefit
Let’s figure out how chitosan is used in medicine and sports nutrition in order to double the benefits of taking supplements based on it.
Health benefits:
- lowers uric acid levels;
- strengthens the immune system;
- reduces the amount of harmful cholesterol in the blood;
- improves the absorption of calcium from food;
- regulates blood sugar levels;
- exhibits antifungal and antibacterial action;
- eliminates digestive problems;
- binds and removes toxins from the body.
Benefits for weight loss:
- promotes detoxification;
- binds fat molecules in the digestive tract, preventing their absorption, and removes them from the body;
- improves cholesterol metabolism;
- activates intestinal peristalsis, providing a mild laxative effect;
- speeds up metabolism;
- creates a long-lasting feeling of fullness (similar to microcellulose).
This information is quite enough to justify the use of chitosan for weight loss. However, British scientists conducted a large-scale study in 2008, the results of which in this regard were disappointing.
The duration of the experiments varied: from 4 months to 2 years. In total, about 1,220 people took part in them. The conclusion was that drugs based on this substance do indeed help to reduce weight. But in all cases, the loss of kilograms was minimal. Therefore, in the fight against, for example, obesity, they are obviously useless.
Benefits for sports:
- improves metabolism;
- acts as a fat burner;
- used in bodybuilding to dry the body;
- exhibits a general strengthening effect, improving athletic performance.
As for the effectiveness of chitosan as a strong fat burner in bodybuilding for body drying, the issue remains controversial. But you should not completely abandon it. Those involved in sports and constantly “sitting” on amino acids should periodically take supplements with this substance to normalize digestion. And as general strengthening, they are quite good.
Athletes often prefer to take supplements with chitosan not at all because of their fat-burning qualities. They allow them to eat enough fatty and carbohydrate foods necessary for obtaining energy for training without losing their shape. This is because all substances that are harmful for weight loss are bound and removed from the body.
Pages of history. Pure chitosan was first isolated in 1859 by Professor S. Roger from shrimp and crab shells. The term itself appeared only in 1894 thanks to the German physician, chemist, and physiologist Felix Hoppe-Seyler. Due to difficulties in extraction, interest in the substance was revived only in the mid-20th century.
Possible harm
One of the obvious advantages of chitosan is that, subject to contraindications and instructions, it does minimal harm to the human body.
Contraindications:
- intolerance to components;
- pregnancy;
- breastfeeding;
- childhood (each
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