Three randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trials were performed to evaluate the impact of chitosan on cholesterol and weight loss.
These trials each included 80–90 mildly obese adults.
All participants were placed on a hypocaloric diet (1000 kcal/ day) and two tablets containing chitosan (amount unspecified) twice daily for four weeks.
Primary outcome measures included body weight, percent over- weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol.
All participants had significant improve- ments in all primary outcome measures. Mean weight reduction in the chitosan groups ranged from 7.19 to 8.17 kg, while total cholesterol reduction ranged from 23.3% to 25.3%. All therapies were well tolerated; the most common adverse effect was mild and transient nausea.