The chitosan used in the study was b-chitosan derived
from New Zealand squid pens, and independent analysis
verified that the level of deacetylation was 75.5%, which
conformed to prior specifications. The study medication was
dispensed in identical capsules, each capsule containing
either 250mg chitosan or 250mg placebo (maize cornflour).
Participants were instructed to take four capsules with a glass
of water three times daily before main meals such that a total
of 12 capsules (3 g) per day of either chitosan or placebo were
consumed. Treatment allocation was confirmed by independent
assessment of capsule content in a subset of 25
participants during the first 4 weeks of the trial.