Chitosan: what is it and what is it for?

Chitosan chitosan is a substance that comes from the shell of marine crustaceans. Its main uses are in the medical, cosmetic and nutritional areas, and it is a biodegradable component with no side effects.

The most popular use for chitosan is for people who want to lose weight. However, its properties are currently being investigated for other uses. But what is chitosan and what is it for?

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What is chitosan?

Chitosan or chitosan is a natural fiber of marine origin. It was discovered in 1859, and its name means "shell" in Greek, as it comes from the exoskeleton of crustaceans that inhabit the seabed.

This substance is used in the food industry, but it also has agricultural, environmental and medicinal uses. It has become popular in countries of the United States and Europe because it is considered an organic compound that favors the environment, as it can replace other types of materials.

However, it is mainly marketed in a free form to help combat certain conditions such as high cholesterol, being overweight, and hypertension. However, it is a compound that is still under investigation to discover other uses and benefits.

How is it obtained?

Chitosan is a polymer obtained from chitin, a molecule found in the shells of crustaceans. Through deacetylation, which is a chemical process, chitosan is separated from the proteins and minerals found in these shells.

Prawns, crabs and lobsters are commonly used to carry out this process. Anyway, in some insects there is also a high concentration of chitin, and for this reason they are used to obtain this compound.

The deacetylation process has become an alternative to protect the environment. Taking advantage of the waste from prawns and other crustaceans to put them to good use represents a good measure to help the planet.

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How does it help you lose weight?

Chitosan is effective for those who want to lose weight. This compound has become very popular due to this extraordinary property, and many women and men use it as a food supplement to a balanced diet.

The function of chitosan is to encapsulate the fat in food, and that is to prevent the body from absorbing it. It achieves this because when the chitosan reaches the intestine it joins with the intestinal mucosa, which forms a gel with a positive charge. It attracts and traps fat in food, since bile acids are negatively charged.

In addition, when chitosan reaches the stomach it acquires a gelatinous form that expands. This creates an immediate feeling of fullness, thus reducing food intake considerably.

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How should it be taken?

Chitosan can be found in capsules. It is for sale in pharmacies, herbal stores or alternative medicine stores. The dose depends on the concentration that each capsule contains and the components with which it has been mixed to enhance the results.

Generally the recommendation is that you take one or two capsules before each meal. In this way, chitosan acts immediately by absorbing the fats that were ingested during the meal.

This information is present in the indications that are presented on the product itself. In case of doubt, it can be consulted at the herbalist where it is purchased. There one can have the necessary information in this regard, such as the most appropriate dose, which is based on body weight.

Other properties and health benefits

Chitosan is considered an excellent ally to reduce bad cholesterol. Due to the property that chitosan has to absorb fats, it has been proven that this causes a positive effect in the reduction of cholesterol in the blood.

It is also recommended to combat high blood pressure and even to increase the assimilation of calcium absorption. All this is thanks to its natural properties and the high concentration of fiber that chitosan has.

Something to keep in mind is that, in any case, the consumption of chitosan should be accompanied by a balanced diet. And if necessary also adapted according to each condition that it is intended to combat. It must be borne in mind that a balanced diet should never be altered by the use of this or other natural components.

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Other uses of chitosan

Chitosan has agricultural, environmental, medical and food uses. In terms of uses for the agricultural industry, this compound is used as a fertilizer for indoor and outdoor plants, which is why many growers now use it on a regular basis.

In the food industry it is used for the clarification of wine and beer. In the process of making these drinks there is a phase in which the must has particles in suspension. This requires removing them, and in combination with other agents the chitosan drags them off and removes them.

Chitosan is also used as part of the water flocculation process. This is a chemical process that is part of the water purification cycle. Therefore, chitosan is also used, in combination with other substances, as an agent for the water filtration process.

Contraindications

Chitosan should not be consumed without first knowing its potential health risks. Although it is a natural fiber, as it is extracted directly from the shell of crustaceans, it is important that people allergic to shellfish do not consume it.

Another consideration before consuming this fiber is that its effectiveness in reducing weight lies in the absorption of fats. This means that, if the diet is not eliminated also in the consumption of carbohydrates, the effectiveness of chitosan could be compromised.

Another caveat is that you don't have to stop eating well and have an active life. Some people believe that some products can have miraculous effects, but these cannot do all the work. An effort is required to lead a healthy lifestyle, and chitosan is the substance that can give extra help when it comes to losing weight.

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Bibliographic references

• Baldrick, P. (2010). The safety of chitosan as a pharmaceutical excipient ". Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 56 (3): 290–299.

• Lee, D.W. et al. (2013). [Strong adhesion and cohesion of chitosan in aqueous solutions. Langmuir. 29 (46): 14222–14229] (http s: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24138057)

• Hadwiger, L.A. (2013). Multiple effects of chitosan on plant systems: Solid science or hype. Plant Science, 208, 42-49.