Chitosan is one of the fundamental ingredients playing a part of commercial and biomedical applications. However, most people do not know what Chitosan is and majority of people do not have much knowledge about it either. It is human nature to be curious about the new things and is no different with Chitosan. This is why people who hear the word "Chitosan" for the first time ever seem interested in finding out what Chitosan really is.



The basic answer of this query is that Chitosan is a natural compound derived from chitin. Chitin is polymeric carbohydrate generally found in the outer skeletons of crustaceans and shellfish. Previously, people mostly make use of Chitosan in processes such as water detoxification. Although, the existence of Chitosan is quite old yet its latest form has just been prepared in recent times. Another significant the discovery that Chitosan is a natural compound with similar chemical properties as that of cellulose.



Cellulose is a fibrous plant and as Chitosan chemically resembles to it that is why it possesses fibrous properties. These fibers has made Chitosan a significant ingredient in products used for controlling weight and cholesterol of human body. The fibrous nature of Chitosan considerably helps in binding fat present in human's digestive tract. This fat magnet is slightly capable of preventing the fat to be absorbed in human body. Chitosan products are also helpful in promoting the healing process of lesions as well as ulcers.



Moreover, some of the Chitosan based products may involve its antacid properties, which seem quite helpful in reducing the plaque formation plus tooth decay. Several biomedical studies on Chitosan have revealed that it is quite useful substance for controlling blood pressure. In addition, this valuable compound is also present in medicinal products used for following purposes.



• Prevention from constipation

• Reduction in blood levels of uric acid

• Calcium enhancer

• Bone strengthener



Number of biomedical and chemical analysis has been carried out by professionals just to get answer. These analyses have shown that Chitosan actually absorbs the oils, toxic substances and greases etc when spread over water surface. This exposes the attractive property of Chitosan towards bio-hazardous substances often present in human body because of drinking water. However, medical studies fail in providing the basis for safe use of Chitosan in a routine diet.

People from all walks of life are well aware of Chitosan and its medicinal products. chitosan based products are now highly promoted at different levels from tele to the internet. However, people do not have much information about the dangers of chitosan. All forums promote chitosan by highlighting its excellent results but no one bothers to tell about its shortcomings. Numerous medical studies have been held till now and most of these conclude that this polymer has more shortcomings than benefits.



It is promoted by manufacturers that chitosan has a noteworthy capability of offering best results in weight reduction. Though it is highly claimed by producers of chitosan that it is the best fat burner and fat magnet yet no research has supported this claim. Individuals consuming chitosan in huge quantities are doing so with no scientific verification that it actually works with high-quality results.



Critics are continuously trying to keep people away of using high amount of chitosan based medicines. They do not bother any of the claims brought to light by manufacturers of these medicines. Reason behind this approach of critics is the non-availability of medical evidences supporting that there are no dangers of chitosan. This is why, most of critics and biomedical experts strongly oppose the use of medicines composed of chitosan. It seems good to use medicines for controlling your weight and cholesterol level. However, almost all fat burning and weight controlling medicines contain chitosan as an essential element. Chitosan is injurious to your health in the way that it will not only burn fat but also some other imperative ingredients of your body.



Elimination of essential elements of human body is one of the basic dangers of chitosan usually faced by its users. Chitosan fibers have ability of capturing fat present in the intestine and remove them from body before their metabolism takes place. Generally, critics are against the use of chitosan and warn people to avoid its extra intake. This is because chitosan is derived from chitin polymer found in crustaceans' outer shells.



The variation in composition of this compound depends on sea water and animal from which it can be extracted. Another sort of dangers of chitosan is the absorption of different and hazardous impurities by crustaceans from the surrounding water. Chitosan used in medicines not only hold and remove harmful fat elements from human body but may also eliminate many other healthy ingredients. Moreover, Experts and critics also stressed over the less or no use of these medicines as there is an immense possibility of adverse dangers of chitosan because of containing impure chitin.



The abundant use of chitosan has also made diet experts worried about its harmful effects on human body. The potential dangers of chitosan are usually faced by people who do not like sea food or sensitive to crustaceans. Therefore, critics as well as makers of medicines containing Chitosan warn sea food allergic people to avoid their use. So, always keep in your mind all possible dangers of chitosan before using its products.

The hard shell of crustaceans contains Chitosan, which is an important polymer helpful in controlling cholesterol and reducing weight. Chitosan chemistry provide basis for its use in weight and cholesterol controlling products. Crustaceans are aquatic arthropods including shrimps, clams and lobsters etc. Chitosan polymer contained in outer shells of these arthropods make you think once before throwing away these shells. This significant polymer is most commonly used in weight reduction supplements.



Moreover, products used for cholesterol profile improvement normally contain chemically made fiber of Chitosan. Examination of Chitosan chemistry shows that it is a biopolymer kind of substance. This property makes it possible for manufacturers of cholesterol and weight controlling products to use Chitosan as basic ingredient. Chitosan chemistry involves numerous biomedical applications whenever it is going to be discussed. Following are some of the most common biomedical applications involving the use of Chitosan.



• Wound healing

• Tissue engineering

• Tissue repair

• Local delivery of cells etc





Analysis of Chitosan chemistry revealed that it is made up of N-deacylation, which is a chitin molecule. Chitosan is basically a linear polysaccharide, which is mainly composed of ß (1-4)-linked D-glucosamine together with N-Acetyl glucosamine monomers.



N-acetyl-D-glucosamine is acetylated unit (A) whereas D-glucosamine is a deacetylated unit (D). This chemical composition shows that Chitosan can be produced through the deacetylation of chitin on commercial basis. Chitin is the basic structural element present in the outer skeletons of crustaceans and this has been found out by resources of Chitosan chemistry. Generally, NMR spectroscopy is used to check out the percentage of deacetylation in artificially prepared Chitosan. The deacetylation degree in commercially manufactured Chitosan falls in range of 60 to 100%.



A number of bio-medical studies showed that this significantly useful substance is a good carrier of catalysts. Moreover, numerous resources of Chitosan chemistry depicts that Chitosan is a substance having unique chemical properties. Following are the most significant chemical properties contained by Chitosan.



• Linear poly-D-glucosamine

• Chelating effect on numerous transition- metal ions

• Aids in protein separations

• Offer fungistatic and Basteriostatic effects

• Full capacity of reaction with amino groups



Furthermore, studies of Chitosan chemistry have discovered a noteworthy aspect about the viscosity of Chitosan. According to these studies the Chitosan viscosity is mainly dependent on average molecular weight of Chitosan itself. Chromatography together with technique of light scattering detection is the best possible way of determining this molecular weight.



Amino group is another prime ingredient of Chitosan polymers according to the several studies carried out to find out the exact Chitosan chemistry. Chitosan is a kind of positively charged polymer having about 6.5 pKa value of amino group and therefore these are easily soluble in acidic as well as neutral solutions. These studies about Chitosan chemistry have also concluded that Chitosan polymer either artificially made or naturally available is a bio-adhesive.



This is because it can easily and quickly binds up with surfaces having negative charges on them; for instance, mucosal membranes. It has been concluded by analysts after going through a range of studies about Chitosan chemistry that Chitosan can be utilized in numerous commercial applications.

Chitosan is deduced from chitin, which is a compound. It is found in the shells of aquatic arthropods. It is conceived as one of the most plentiful polysaccharides available in nature and the fact makes chitosan plenteous as well as comparatively low-priced product. Just in recent times, chitosan actuated importance in the tissue-engineering area. It has been inquired for use in the orchestrating of cartilage, nerve as well as liver tissue.



It is also very much useful for wound dressings as well as drug delivery devices. On the other hand, various troubles with applying chitosan as a polymer gallows in tissue engineering are presently mentioned. These contain low strength as well as conflicting activities with seeded cells. Providentially, chitosan might be effortlessly mixed with other materials so as to amplify its power and cell attachment prospective. One of the generally formed mixes these days is mixings with polyvinyl alcohol as well as chitosan.



The polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan mixed celluloids are generally made from:



• The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

• Chitosans (Cs) with changeable concentrations.



For additional prominence, the alcohol-chitosan mingle films were manufactured by drawing the individual polymer results. The recognized glutaraldehyde was applied as a type of cross-linking instrument. After that, a serial of polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan were developed by changing ratio of the components. As said by some individuals, the motorized attributes of these films were also inquired by tensile strength in addition to tensile strain of the mixed films in the dry as well as wet conditions.



For the alcohol-chitosan mixing to be thriving, a PVA as well as chitosan samplings are required. As specialists regularly propose, a PVS taster with ninety nine percent hydrolyzed. Plus, a chitosan with about eighty six percent degree of deacetylation in addition to thickness of one hundred and fifteen cps in one percent acetic acid should be well thought-out. It is moreover significant to consider that for having positive results, all other chemicals to be added have to be analytical grade.



As declared above, several polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan intermixes have been raised. As said by a number of studies, the frequent effect of this combination proposes that the fusing of polyvinyl and alcohol chitosan ameliorates the tensile power as well as elasticity of films equally in dry as well as wet states. In addition, the joining with the glutaraldehyde improves tensile potency as well as decreases the extension of mixes. It's outcome, nevertheless, growths if the substance of the chitosan is also augmented.



Additional point to be considered is the determinations that with rising alcohol chitosan matter in the mixture, the water consumption step-ups. It is, on the other hand, drop-offs with the joining of the mixtures with glutaraldehyde. As well, the water ingestion step-ups when pH diminishes. Therefore, the result of pH on rising water ingestion is extremely given concentration in this research knowing that it is more important for samplings with more chitosan matter.



On the whole, it was discovered that the intermixing of polyvinyl alcohol chitosan films enhances the volume as well as surface hydrophilicity of blended films.

According to some clinical studies, chitosan is great for weight loss as it binds fat to molecules in the digestive tract, preventing the body from absorbing the fat. It also lowers the cholesterol in the blood, treat anemia, and improve the person's strength, the immune system, as well as the appetite and sleep. Also reported is that chitosan can help treat tooth and gum infections and help tissue healing after plastic surgery.



However, whether chitosan is effective for treating such mentioned conditions or safe as a diet aid still remains controversial. It is often the subject of most debates regarding weight loss. Some say that there are adverse side effects of chitosan, while others have shown evidences that contradict such belief.



There are still no long-term studies of the side effects of chitosan on human health as most of the studies were conducted on animals. However, if we will look at those animal studies and the first published 1999 clinical trial done on humans, results suggest that chitosan could inhibit the absorption of minerals and fat soluble vitamins. Also, studies have revealed certain adverse side effects of chitosan to pregnant women, particularly on the growth of children and the outcome of pregnancy.



Experts also found out other minor side effects of chitosan. These possible side effects may include breathing problems or tightness in your chest or throat, as well as chest pain and skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin. Other possible side effects of chitosan are headaches and swollen heels and wrists.



With all those mentioned possible side effects, it's no wonder that experts highly suggest to stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the mentioned side effects. The reason is your medicine may be causing such symptoms which may mean that you are allergic to chitosan-based products.



So perhaps the best that you can do to protect yourself and your health is to tell your health care professional before taking any chitosan-based products about your current medication. Tell your doctor if you are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine, or if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while using chitosan. This must also apply to those mothers who are breastfeeding, as well as to people who have clotting problems and have any other health problem, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease.



Talk with your caregiver about how much chitosan you should take. Note that an over dosage of chitosan-based products may lead to those possible side effects of chitosan. Just note that the amount of chitosan highly depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking it. So, if you are taking this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, then follow the directions written on the label. To ensure that you are free from the possible side effects of chitosan, do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you.

Many chitosan based products are now available on the market. All of them promise to block fat in order to help weight loss. One of the most popular products available is the Reduce Chitosan, formulated and developed by Performance Biomedical Laboratories (PBL).



What is Reduce Chitosan?



As the name implies, PBL's Reduce Chitosan contains the ingredient chitosan, which works to bind to some dietary fat and removes it from the body rather than allowing it to be absorbed.



According to some, Reduce Chitosan binds to the intestinal lining where it tightly binds dietary fats and lipids prior to the absorption in the body. As a result, the dietary fat is prevented from entering into the bloodstream because when the dietary fat is bound to the chitosan fiber, it becomes a large mass which cannot be absorbed in the body.



Besides chitosan, PBL's Reduce contains ample amounts of Vitamin C. Several published reports have shown that chitosan works in concert with Vitamin C. It has even been suggested that the action of thus substance may be improved by as small as an amount of Vitamin C as 10 mg.



Reduce Chitosan also contains an all-natural bean extract that generally inhibits alpha-amylase activity. This prevents the breakdown of dietary starches into glucose, allowing in the end that carb from starch to pass through the system unchanged.



Further claims noted that Reduce Chitosan is a non-stimulant, all-natural nutritional ingredient derived from the white kidney bean. PBL even said that Reduce is by far the first nutritional ingredient that has been clinically and scientifically proven to neutralize starch that is commonly found in your favorite foods like breads, pasta, rice, crackers, corn and potatoes.



How Does Reduce Work?



Your body converts carbs by breaking down the carbohydrate molecule with alpha-amylase, which is an enzyme produced in the pancreas. These calories are either burned off through exercise or stored as fat cells for future use. Unfortunately, this may lead to weight gain as inactivity means that these stored fat cells accumulate.



Chitosan then binds to some of the dietary fat that you consume and removes it from the body rather than allowing it to be absorbed. This can also be used for adding fiber to your diet.



The chitosan ingredient used in PBL's Reduce Chitosan is said to be unsurpassed in its quality and purity. It goes through a process called deacetylation, which refers to the removal of the acetyl groups. What's more, Lipase, a digestive enzyme is added to Reduce Chitosan in order to help in emulsifying the fats that you ingest, making it a superior fat absorber. Note that Reduce is also fortified with Calcium as well as Vitamin C.



When Should You Take Reduce?



Recent researches have shown that the best time to take Reduce Chitosan is just before a starch-rich meal along with 8 oz. of water. However, other studies also showed that Reduce Chitosan could still offer some of its starch neutralizing benefits when taken during or just after a starch-rich meal.

Natrol Chitosan is one of the most significant weight reducing products. It is also composed of chitin as the main ingredient like many other Chitosan products. It offers good capability to prevent the fat absorption in human digestive tract. This medicinal product has been advertised heavily as a fat magnet at different forums like television, newspapers and internet etc.



It is claimed by makers of Natrol Chitosan that it is one the most excellent supplement for extra weight loss. This product is actually developed by Natrol, Inc. and so is the name given to it. Natrol, Inc. based in Southern California is one of the well known companies producing nutritional supplements including Natrol Chitosan. In fact, this company not only manufactures but also advertises its high quality and branded Chitosan supplements. This manufacturing company is now producing its own Natrol Chitosan capsules along with many other weight controlling tablets.



Uncompromised quality of Natrol Chitosan makes it different and extraordinary product from its counterparts. At present, it is one of the most commonly obtainable fat burning supplements in the market. Most of numerous other products termed as fat magnets usually fail to reach the magnificent results offered by Natrol Chitosan. Take only two meals with heavy fats in a day to get optimum and better results out of Natrol Chitosan.



Number of supplements lies in the available series of Natrol's Chitosan. One of the renowned and heavily purchased products of this series is Natrol Chitosan of 500mg. It is one of the most popular dietary supplements as the source of natural fiber according to several reviewers. This dietary supplement is quite effective and is much easy to be swallowed. This Natrol Chitosan contains about 95% of deacetylated Chitosan to enhance its solubility capacity. Moreover, it is all-natural product with no wheat, milk, yeasts and glutens etc. Furthermore, it is recommended that people allergic of seafood especially sea shell must not take Natrol Chitosan to reduce their weight. For this reason, always avoid using such fat removing products as per your doctor's prescription.



It is suggested by diet and health experts to use Chitosan containing products after consulting a health care specialist. It should not also be brought into play by pregnant women. It is also worth noting that Natrol Chitosan should not be used before any exercise or beginning of the weight loss program. In addition, fat soluble vitamins including A, E and K must not be taken along with Chitosan based products. Overweight people do not forget to take right dosage of this product mainly composed of Chitosan. The recommended dose of Natrol Chitosan is 3 capsules before each fat containing meal.



Natrol is regularly broadening its perspective and scope by means of formulating and producing innovative Natrol Chitosan. This cutting edge product brings much better quality especially in the life of overweight people. Natrol, Inc. is constantly producing the unparalleled and high quality fat controlling supplements basically composed of Chitosan. Moreover, it is also manufacturing numerous other health related products.