[Effect of chitosan in complex management of obesity]

The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of chitosan as a possible adjuvant in the complex management of obesity.

Fifty obese women (22-59 years, BMI > 30) participated in the study. A six months program consisted of 2-hour meetings with a physician, psychologist and dietitian, in a group of about 20 persons, every two weeks. Low calorie diet (1000 kcal/day), physical activity and behaviour modification were recommended. Supplementation with chitosan was evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. In the chitosan group, participants received ChitininN (Primex Ingredients ASA, Avaldsnes, Norway) i.e. 750 mg pure chitosan per tablet, two tablets three times daily before each main meal. The placebo group received identical placebo tablets.

Significantly higher body weight loss was noted in the chitosan-supplemented group (15.9 kg) than in the placebo group (10.9 kg) Also a greater decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed in the chitosan group. There was no difference between the groups in the decrease of LDL and total cholesterol. No adverse effects were noted but the number of drop-outs was higher in the placebo group than in the chitosan group.

Chitosan can be used as a valuable and safe adjuvant in long-term dietary treatment of obesity. Chitosan seems to accentuate the reduction of blood pressure associated with weight reduction.