undertook a randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the impact of chitosan on serum LDL- cholesterol levels in the absence of any changes in eating or lifestyle. 
Fifty-three healthy women were given either 1200 mg of microcrystallized chitosan or placebo twice daily for eight weeks. Out- come measures included total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and body weight. 
No sig- nificant changes were noted in any out- come measure. 
However, there was a significant difference in LDL-cholesterol reduction among a subgroup with a BMI of >30 kg/m2 at the end of the fourth week.