Does chitosan promote weight loss?

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Does chitosan promote weight loss?
Dr. Arya M. Sharma, Medical Director of Weight Wise
Alberta Health Services

I've heard a lot about weight loss supplements that contain something called chitosan. What is chitosan? Does it work?

Chitosan, produced from chitin (a structural component of crustacean shells such as shrimp and crab), is widely sold in weight loss products. These products claim that chitosan (or the soluble fibre produced when chitosan comes in contact with acid in the stomach) can bind and reduce fat digestion and absorption to an extent that would promote weight loss. Of course, as a 'natural' product, it is also promoted as being safe with no side effects and often backed with testimonials and unrealistic weight loss claims.

Chitosan was recently the topic of a systematic review (a review of existing studies) by Andrew Jull and colleagues from the University of Aukland, New Zealand. While some studies do show that chitosan products result in greater weight loss, the quality/credibility of the majority of the studies was questionable. The results from the few high quality trials indicate that the effect of chitosan on body weight is minimal and unlikely to be of clinical significance.

In short, there is no magic pill for weight loss. Even the few medications approved by Health Canada for obesity treatment result in a five to 10 per cent decrease in weight, and must be combined with exercise and a healthy diet.

If you do decide to try a weight loss supplement, talk to your doctor first and be sure to do your research to avoid potential health concerns. Be sure to check the Health Canada and Better Business Bureau websites for warnings related to certain products, ingredients or companies.

Remember, just because a product is advertised as being 'natural' does not mean that it is safe, and 'clinically-proven' does not mean that it works.

Dr. Arya M. Sharma, Medical Director of Weight Wise, Alberta Health Services

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