Chitosan
Research reviewed: 2004–2018
Chitosan (Deacetylated chitin) is a dietary supplement with 14 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,117 participants, researched for Fat Absorption & Weight Loss, Cholesterol Management, Blood Pressure and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Fat Absorption & Weight Loss
StrongCholesterol Management
ModerateBlood Pressure
ModerateExtended Clinical Evidence
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Fat Absorption & Weight Loss
Review chitosan fat binding mechanism and weight loss efficacy
Study Type
Systematic Review
Purpose
Review chitosan fat binding mechanism and weight loss efficacy
Dose
1.2–4.5 g/day
Participants
320
Duration
4–24 weeks
Results
Chitosan binds dietary fat in GI tract; modest weight loss (−0.8 to −1.7 kg); faecal fat increased; effects limited by fat-binding capacity
How They Measured It
Faecal fat excretion, body weight changes across RCTs
Quantify chitosan effect on body weight from randomised trials
Study Type
Meta-Analysis
Purpose
Quantify chitosan effect on body weight from randomised trials
Dose
1.2–3.6 g/day
Participants
225
Duration
8–12 weeks
Results
Significant weight reduction (−1.7 kg vs placebo); greater effect with concurrent low-fat diet
How They Measured It
Pooled body weight, BMI, fat mass outcomes
Measure faecal fat excretion following chitosan supplementation
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Measure faecal fat excretion following chitosan supplementation
Dose
2.5 g/day
Participants
50
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Significantly increased faecal fat excretion (+2.5 g/day); modest weight reduction; confirms fat-trapping mechanism
How They Measured It
72-hour faecal fat collection, body weight
Effects of Chitosan Oligosaccharide Supplementation on Lipid Profiles in Overweight and Obese Thai Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Effects of Chitosan Oligosaccharide Supplementation on Lipid Profiles in Overweight and Obese Thai Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Effects of chitosan-assisted moderate-intensity exercise on metabolic parameters and lower-limb biomechanical characteristics in overweight adults: a randomized controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Effects of chitosan-assisted moderate-intensity exercise on metabolic parameters and lower-limb biomechanical characteristics in overweight adults: a randomized controlled trial
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
The Effect of Chitosan Supplementation on the Gut Microbiota and Various Health Factors in Icelandic Females: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomized Trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
The Effect of Chitosan Supplementation on the Gut Microbiota and Various Health Factors in Icelandic Females: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomized Trial
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
The effect of chitosan supplementation on liver function, hepatic steatosis predictors, and metabolic indicators in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, clinical trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
The effect of chitosan supplementation on liver function, hepatic steatosis predictors, and metabolic indicators in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, clinical trial
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Efficacy of Food Industry By-Product β-Glucan/Chitin-Chitosan on Lipid Profile of Overweight and Obese Individuals: Sustainability and Nutraceuticals
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Efficacy of Food Industry By-Product β-Glucan/Chitin-Chitosan on Lipid Profile of Overweight and Obese Individuals: Sustainability and Nutraceuticals
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Effect of dietary chitosan on the growth performance, intestinal histology and growth-related gene expression in stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) juveniles
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Effect of dietary chitosan on the growth performance, intestinal histology and growth-related gene expression in stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) juveniles
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Cholesterol Management
Evaluate chitosan on blood lipid profiles
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate chitosan on blood lipid profiles
Dose
1.2 g/day
Participants
84
Duration
8 weeks
Results
LDL reduced by 7%; total cholesterol reduced by 5%; HDL unchanged; bile acid sequestration mechanism proposed
How They Measured It
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides
Blood Pressure
Assess chitosan on blood pressure in overweight adults
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess chitosan on blood pressure in overweight adults
Dose
3 g/day
Participants
68
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Systolic BP reduced by 6 mmHg vs placebo; diastolic BP reduced by 4 mmHg; likely mediated via weight loss and cholesterol reduction
How They Measured It
Systolic and diastolic BP, heart rate
Extended Clinical Evidence
Long-term efficacy and safety of chitosan supplementation
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Long-term efficacy and safety of chitosan supplementation
Dose
1.8 g/day
Participants
60
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Sustained weight loss (−2.1 kg) at 24 weeks; no adverse events; no fat-soluble vitamin deficiency detected
How They Measured It
Body weight, metabolic markers, adverse event monitoring
Update comprehensive evidence on chitosan for obesity
Study Type
Systematic Review
Purpose
Update comprehensive evidence on chitosan for obesity
Dose
Various
Participants
248
Duration
Various
Results
Modest but significant weight loss; evidence quality moderate; GI side effects minor; calls for larger longer trials
How They Measured It
Cochrane-style systematic review of RCTs
Assess chitosan effects on gut microbiome and intestinal health
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess chitosan effects on gut microbiome and intestinal health
Dose
2.4 g/day
Participants
62
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Favourable changes in gut microbiome; reduced intestinal permeability markers; mild prebiotic effect
How They Measured It
16S rRNA profiling, intestinal permeability, inflammatory markers
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chitosan research
There are currently 14 peer-reviewed studies on Chitosan (Deacetylated chitin), involving 1,117 total participants. Research covers Fat Absorption Reduction, Weight Loss, Cholesterol Management and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (14 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Chitosan has been researched for: Fat Absorption Reduction, Weight Loss, Cholesterol Management, Blood Pressure. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 14 out of 14 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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