Tips To Consider Before You Buy Chitosan

Chitosan has been around for ages. It is now marketed as weight loss product as this special fiber has been shown to bind fat in the intestine, blocking its absorption by the body. It is even dubbed as “fat magnet” due to such function.

Chitosan comes from chitin, a polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans or shellfish like crabs, shrimps and lobsters. Perhaps the main point to consider here is that, although chitosan and chitin is an all natural fiber highly considered effective for weight loss, it is necessary to note that not all trials conducted have proven the fiber’s efficacy in weight loss management.

So, if you are now planning to buy chitosan, here are some tips that you must consider before running to a health store and buy chitosan.

Do Your Homework

Whether chitosan is safe or effective as a dietary supplement remains questionable. Numerous researches have noted that chitosan on its own is not capable of losing that body fat, unless it is added with a proper diet and exercise.

In one study conducted with 250 adults receiving either 3 grams of chitosan daily or placebo for 24 weeks, it was shown that the chitosan group lost more body weight than the placebo group, but the general effects were small. To mention in particular, the chitosan group lost an average of 0.9 pounds compared to a 0.4 pound gain in the placebo group.

Also, before you buy chitosan, note first that similar small changes were seen in the total and LDL cholesterol levels and there were no significant difference between groups for any of the other measured outcomes, like body mass index, waist circumference, percentage of body fat, quality of life, and blood pressure.

Aside from collecting pieces of literature about chitosan, you can also ask for some recommendations from your friends perhaps before you buy chitosan. Get advice to the health food store, but be careful though as most of the advices given are anyone’s guess. Perhaps the best way to seek for an advice is to consult a health care professional before you buy chitosan.

Note the Label Statements

Before you buy chitosan, note first what the retailers of chitosan based products are saying. One rule to note is that the retailers should not go much beyond the label statements. This of course places them on the safe side as many lawsuits were actually filed against those makers who advertise unbelievable claims about chitosan. If you have already purchased chitosan, just follow what is directed on the label. Don’t also go beyond what is directed. To be safe, consult with a health care professional and ask for a recommendation regarding the proper usage.

The Bottom Line: Educate Yourself

In today’s deregulated climate, consumers who are planning to buy chitosan should educate themselves before even setting foot in a heath food store. Note that up to these days, the benefit of chitosan for weight loss is still unproven. Several researches were still done to support the chitosan claims, thus to buy chitosan without educating yourself about the product and its background is like setting foot in a battle field without your weapon and armor.