People are concerned about how they look and are preoccupied with weight and weight loss. Despite this concern, more people are becoming overweight.
Chitosan stands out for its ability to bind fat before it is absorbed into the body. Chitosan is derived from the complex sugar (polysaccharide) found in the shells (exoskeletons) of shrimp, crabs and other shellfish. Chitosan has the capacity to bind lipids and fats. More importantly, chitosan has no calories since it is not digested.
Upon oral ingestion, chitosan binds to the intestinal lining where it tightly holds dietary fats and lipids before they are absorbed into the body. As a result, dietary fat is prevented from entering the bloodstream. When dietary fat is bound to the chitosan, it should not be absorbed into the body. Chitosan possesses a net positive charge. This positive charge attracts negative charges on the fats, lipids and bile acids. Chitosan is not metabolized; it is cleared from the body along with the fat in the fecal material.
Chitosan is an indispensable adjunct to a balanced weight management program of diet and exercise.
