I have written before about the importance of fiber
to our health, pointing out that low fiber diets have been connected to many
chronic health problems ranging from colon irregularities to diabetes to heart
disease. In fact, a 1997 study published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association states that for every 10 grams of dietary fiber you consume per day,
you lower your risk of cardiovascular disease by 29%! I have recently come
across a book about a particular kind of fiber that underlines all the things I
have said, and how.
Many years ago, I came across a product from Norway that
impressed me considerably with its potential: called ABSORBITOL, it was
described as a "Fat Blocker", and was marketed mostly as a
weight control formula: but along with that came a good deal of evidence to
suggest it would help blood lipids (triglycerides) and cholesterol, and on that
basis I recommended it to a number of people who had excellent results.
Triglyceride, LDL and total cholesterol reductions in the 20 to 30% range are
not uncommon.
The research was scanty at the time, however, and to a certain
extent interest lapsed although some faithful users continued to buy it and
benefit from it, and get annoyed when it was hard for me to find it. Now, it
seems, this substance is coming into its own, with new and convincing research
to back up its use for the above problems, as well as weight loss. . The generic
name for it is CHITIN, or CHITOSAN, and it is made from the
exoskeletons of shell fish. I know, that doesn't sound very appetizing, but
believe me, I could name worse sources for some of the medicines we take!
It does mean, though, that you need to avoid it if you have allergies to fish or
shellfish.
The studies supporting its effects have been done in Japan,
and are extremely persuasive. Much of the research has been done by a Professor
Okuda, who defines a "health " or "functional" food as one
that fulfills one or two of the following functions:
1) fortification of immunity,
2) prevention of aging,
3) prevention of illness,
4) recovery from illness, and
5) control of biorhythm.
He claims that Chitosan. fills all of these functions. A Dr.
Matsunaga, M.D., who uses the Chitosan extensively in his practice, explains
that this is because no particular organ is targeted: Chitosan
"activates the whole body's cells and affects the health of the whole body,
and at the same time strengthens immune cells that eat cancer cells and
infective viruses, causes the sick parts to recover from illness, adjusts an
unbalanced autonomic nervous system ... and removes unspecified complaints
coming from autonomous nervous imbalances. Its action is not only local, but
general ... for example, a person who eats it to decrease high blood pressure
(may also) lose shoulder stiffness and insomnia".
It may seem incredible that one simple substance could
possibly affect so many conditions, but the Doctors in this book give examples
of problems as serious as diabetes, high blood pressure and other heart disease
related states which have been overcome by the judicious use of Chitosan. They
do warn that it is not a panacea, and should not be relied on to the exclusion
of other therapies, but at the same time their enthusiasm for its effects is
hard to resist. In Japan, at least a dozen books have been written about the use
of Chitosan, and somewhere in the region of 2 million Japanese use the food
daily, listing the benefits they obtain from weight loss to relief from severe
lower back pain. It is obvious that this is an interesting new player on the
supplement scene with impressive credentials.
It is because of Chitosan's effectiveness at binding to fats
that it is helpful as a weight loss agent for people who have problems
metabolizing fats. It appears to bind to fat molecules and carry them out
of the body unabsorbed. However, it is also possible that it reduces the
absorption of vitamins and minerals, and I recommend that you take a good
multivitamin and mineral formula at a different time from the Chitosan to
make up for any possible deficiencies.
Another intriguing new use for Chitosan is in Kidney Dialysis:
Dr. Jonathan Wright says the following:
"Chitosan is most popular for its effectiveness as a
weight control supplement. It is extracted from the shells of crustaceans, such
as shrimp and crab, which means that if (people have) an allergy to shellfish,
it's not an option for (them). If not, however, (they) may want to consider it.
A study published a few years ago clearly showed a benefit to dialysis patients
who took chitosan.
Half of the 80 study participants took 1,450 milligrams
of chitosan, three times daily for 12 weeks; the other half didn't take any
chitosan. After the study period, researchers reported that the patients who
took chitosan reported less fatigue and shortness of breath, and improvements in
appetite, sleep, and feelings of physical strength. Their kidney function also
appeared better, and they suffered from less severe anemia - a common problem in
those with chronic kidney failure. And there were no significant side effects
reported."
Research suggests it may not be a good idea to use Chitosan if you are on
blood thinners.
Keywords:
chitin, chitosan, natural fiber, chitosan blood lipids, chitosan
triglycerides, chitosan cholesterol, chitosan fat blocker, the vitamin
lady writes about chitosan, chitosan kidney
Studies
on Chitosan and lipid levels - http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/458896_4?WebLogicSession=P6bAHs1fmqnN5qOYwpyZADSl3JCSyHH8ts4iNtdZBEjPlRFDbxdf%7C3396344368979225304/184161394/6/7001/7001/7002/7002/7001/-1
Chitosan
and cholesterol levels - a
study - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7679967&dopt=Abstract
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