Back in the day, chitosan was a popular fat-loss agent used by bodybuilders. Then along came a plethora of fat-burners that seemed much hotter than this old fat-blocker. But that doesn’t mean it’s no longer effective. In fact, two recent studies show that chitosan is still an effective tool for shedding bodyfat.
Chitosan is derived from chitin, a protein that provides structure to the shells of crustaceans such as crab. Chitosan is a charged protein that attracts and binds fat and carries it out of the digestive system. In other words, it stops the fat you eat in your meals from being absorbed by the body and stored as bodyfat.
One recent study from Bangladesh found that rats given varying amounts of chitosan gained less weight and had lower cholesterol levels with increasing dosages. In addition, researchers found that chitosan reduced only the levels of the LDL (bad) cholesterol without affecting the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. And chitosan appears to be useful for helping not only rats but humans lose fat.
Another recent study found that overweight subjects who took chitosan without dieting lost about 2 pounds more bodyweight and 3 pounds more bodyfat than subjects taking a placebo. How? The answer is that the supplement helped subjects maintain a greater amount of muscle mass.
To use chitosan for dropping more fat and keeping more muscle, take about 2 grams before higher-fat meals. Any less may not be as effective, as studies show that doses of 1 gram or less taken before meals were less efficient at blocking fat absorption and aiding fat loss.
We suggest using chitosan only before meals that are higher in saturated fat, such as from fatty meats, dairy and typical vegetable oils such as those used in deep-frying and cooking. Avoid using chitosan around meals rich in healthy fats, such as salmon, olive oil, nuts and avocado, as well as when you take fish oil supplements. Taking chitosan around these times will block the absorption of these healthy fats that actually enhance your health and fat loss.
