Chitosan Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Ascorbate de Chitosane, Chitosane, Chitosane Mono-Carboxyméthylé, Chitosan Ascorbate, Chitosane Déacétylé, Deacetylated Chitosan, Enzymatic Polychitosamine Hydrolisat, Hydrolisat Enzymatique de Polychitosamine, HEP-30, Mono-Carboxymethylated Chitosan, N-Carboxybutyl Chitosan, N-Carboxybutyl Chitosane, N, O-Sulfated Chitosan, O-Sulfated N-Acetylchitosan, Quitosano, Sulfated O-Carboxymethylchitosan, Sulfated N-Carboxymethylchitosan, Trimethyl Chitosan Chloride
Scientific Name
Chitosan
Why Do People Use Chitosan?
The oral preparations of chitosan like chitosan powder are used for below mentioned purposes:
• For weight loss.
• For decreasing elevated cholesterol levels.
• In the management of anemia.
• For the treatment of Crohn’s disease.
• As a cure for dental carries.
• In enhancing the physical strength.
• As an appetite enhancer.
• For the treatment of renal failure.
• As a treatment option for insomnia.
The topical preparations of chitosan powder are used for:
• Promoting the regeneration of tissues at the site of donated tissues in plastic surgery.
• Treatment of periodontitis.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing - Chitosan powder finds its use in below mentioned pharmaceutical preparations:
• In tablets as an excipient. • To decrease the bitter taste of solutions. • To improve the dissolution of drugs as a disintegrant. • As a carrier medium in drugs. • As a vehicle for the delivery of parenteral drugs.
Is It Safe To Use?
Possibly Safe - The short term, oral preparation, such as chitosan ascorbate, is safe to use. Moreover, topical use of chitosan is considered safe when taken for 4 to 6 weeks.
Lactation & Pregnancy - No information is available regarding the use of chitosan powder in lactation and pregnancy. Therefore, such women should avoid its use.
How Effective Is Chitosan?
Possibly Safe - Chitosan preparations, such as chitosan ascorbate, are possibly effective for following conditions:
• Renal failure.
• Periodontitis.
• Plastic Surgery.
Difficult to Rate For - However, there is lack of reliable information to rate the effectiveness of chitosan or chitosan ascorbate for following conditions:
• Chron’s disease.
• Weight loss.
• Dental carries.
• Hypercholesterolemia
How Chitosan Works?
Chitosan powder is basically N-decatylated form of chitin that is derived from shells of crabs, lobsters and shrimps. It is a polysaccharide containing different compounds like N-acetylglucosamine and glucosamine. It has a structure similar to cellulose, undergoes minimal digestion and is excreted as such in the feces.
Both high and low molecular weight forms of chitosan are available. Low molecular weight forms are made by splitting typical chitosan into smaller units. HEP-30 (Licracol) is one such low molecular weight preparation of chitosan. Some evidences suggest that chitosan powder due to its positive charge binds with negatively charged bile acids and therefore decreases the level of cholesterol in the body. Although it is generally believed that cholesterol level undergoes decrease following chitosan ascorbate or chitosan powder administration but there is lack of published evidence that could support this claim.
Moreover, use of chitosan ascorbate or chitosan powder can function as fat blocker (like orlistat). It is thought that chitosan ascorbate or chitosan powder following its consumption interacts with negatively charged fats and bile salts, interfering their absorption for the gut. However, this is not backed by studies on healthy individuals. However, use of chitosan ascorbate in patients with Chron’s disease might increase excretion of fat and help abate inflammation.
The wound healing and hemostatic activity of chitosan powder or chitosan ascorbate might be due to its ability to enhance the activity of different cells like leukocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts.
Chitosan ascorbate also functions as a surgical cement in periodontitis, allowing growth of periodontal tissues and offering protection to periodontal pockets against the damage done by oxygen.
Low molecular weight deacetylated forms of chitosan also possesses antibacterial properties.
Researchers are much interested in using chitosan powder in increasing the absorption of different drugs like peptides that otherwise don’t cross the mucosa of intestine. The synthetic variants of chitosan have shown potential in increasing permeation and absorption of hydrophilic macromolecules in the intestine. This effect is especially seen when chitosan powder is used along with preparations like low molecular weight heparin.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Chitosan?
The oral preparations of chitosan, like chitosan ascorbate and chitosan powder, are well tolerated. However, following side effects might be observed:
• Allergies in individuals that are sensitive to shellfish.
• Gastrointestinal upset, increased bulk of stool, nausea, constipation and flatulence.
How Chitosan Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
No known interaction of chitosan powder with different herbs and supplements is known.
How Chitosan Interacts With Drugs?
Warfarin (Coumadin) - The interaction of chitosan with warfarin is considered of moderate intensity and caution must be observed. Some authorities have shown concern that concomitant use of chitosan powder and warfarin might increase the anti-coagulant action of warfarin. There have been some case reports where use of as much as 1200 mg/day chitosan powder and warfarin increased international normalization ratio (INR) in certain patients. The value of INR came back to normal as soon as chitosan powder was discontinued and vitamin K therapy was started. The reported patient again started taking chitosan and his INR again become abnormally high. The INR again came back to normal once chitosan was discontinued. In an attempt to explain this interaction, researchers postulate that this effect may be observed due to the ability of chitosan powder or chitosan ascorbate to decrease the absorption of fat and fat soluble vitamins like vitamin D, E, A and K. Vitamin K is an important fat soluble vitamin that plays a pivotal role in the coagulation and decrease in this vitamin is perhaps responsible for the adverse actions of chitosan. However, there is lack of reliable information that could suggest that chitosan powder might actually be responsible for the decreased absorption of these vitamins. Till more research is done, people taking warfarin should avoid the use of chitosan ascorbate and chitosan powder.
How Chitosan Interacts With Foods?
No known interaction of chitosan powder with different foods is known.
How Chitosan Interacts With Lab Tests?
Cholesterol - Chitosan powder decreases serum cholesterol.
Hemoglobin - It might increase serum hemoglobin levels.
Urea/Creatinine - Chitosan might increase serum urea and creatinine.
How Chitosan Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
People having shellfish allergy should avoid the use chitosan powder or chitosan ascorbate.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Chitosan?
• 1.35 grams three times a day for renal failure.
• 1-3 grams per day for hypercholesterolemia. 1.2 grams chitosan along with 1.2 grams glucomannan has also been used for this purpose.
• 1-5 grams/ day chitosan powder or 2.5 grams chitosan per day along with 1 gram/day psyllium, 200 mg/day malic acid and 100 mg/day aloe is used for obesity.
• No typical dose.
Comments
It is a muco-polysaccharide derived from shrimps, lobsters or crabs.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
