Chitosan supplementation does not affect fat absorption in healthy males fed a high-fat diet, a pilot study

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The use of dietary supplements, especially those for weight control, is increasing. Advertising claims for some of these supplements may give consumers unrealistic expectations. For example, it is claimed that the supplement chitosan can block the absorption of up to 120 g of dietary fat per day. OBJECTIVE: To test the effect of a chitosan supplement used as directed, on the absorption of dietary fat. DESIGN: Seven healthy male volunteers with average age 28, range 23 -30, average body mass index (BMI) 26, range 23 -31, maintained a high fat intake ( > 120 g=day) for 12 days. On days 6 -9, chitosan was taken as directed by the manufacturer prior to meals and snacks and totaled 15 capsules or 5.25 g of chitosan daily. A charcoal marker was consumed on days 2, 6 and 10 to mark the baseline and supplement periods. All feces were collected on days 2 -12, and were divided based on the appearance of charcoal in the feces. Fecal fat content corresponding to the four baseline and four chitosan-supplemented days was measured. RESULTS: Average dietary fat intake did not differ between baseline (135 AE 5 g), and chitosan (135 AE 3 g) periods. Fecal fat excretion did not differ between the two periods (6.9 AE 1.0 g=day baseline; 6.8 AE 0.4 g=day chitosan). The fecal fat content as a percentage of fat consumed did not differ (5.1 AE 0.7% baseline, 5.0 AE 0.3% chitosan). Fecal mass did not differ (176 AE 26 g=day baseline, 182 AE 14 g=day chitosan). CONCLUSION: Consumption of this chitosan supplement did not increase fecal fat content and therefore did not block fat absorption.

Polyphenol-enriched oolong tea increases fecal lipid excretion

“…Inhibiting TG digestion has been developed as a mean to reduce lipid absorption. In recent years, Orlistat was found to interfere with the absorption of dietary lipid (Hochuli et al, 1987;Hartmann et al, 1993;Hussain et al, 1994;Zhi et al, 1994;Guerciolini, 1997Guerciolini, , 2001Gades and Stern, 2002, 2005. Orlistat is a powerful lipase inhibitor that reduces dietary lipid absorption, reduces body weight and increases fecal lipid excretion.…”

Surface active properties of chitosan and its derivatives

“…In this way the body will get rid of fats, lipids, and cholesterol. In vivo studies in animals were indicative of the lipid binding ability of chitosan [66][67][68] however contradicting results were obtained for humans [69][70][71]. The binding ability of chitosan with several lipids and cholesterol has been investigated by Wydro et al [72] using the Langmuir Monolayer technique in vitro.…”

Impact of Lipase, Bile Salts, and Polysaccharides on Properties and Digestibility of Tuna Oil Multilayer Emulsions Stabilized by Lecithin–Chitosan

“…2,6,8,10,[13][14][15][16][17] Nevertheless, there is some concern that chitosan may interfere with lipid digestion and absorption, which could decrease the bioavailability of lipophilic nutrients. Some studies suggest that lipid digestion and absorption is not affected by chitosan, [18][19][20] whereas others suggest that it is. [21][22][23][24] Therefore, it is important to determine the influence of chitosan on the physicochemical and biochemical processes that occur during the digestion of emulsified lipids in order to better understand how chitosan may affect lipid digestion and absorption.…”