What is Chitosan? Chitosan is often described as a natural fiber supplement – which would make me think that it is derived from fruits and or vegetables – but it is not.

Chitosan is extracted from exoskeleton of various shellfish (lobster, shrimp, crabs, etc.).

Does Chitosan (a.k.a. “fat magnet”) absorb dietary fat? In very high doses, it may decrease fat absorption. In a supplement form, however, it is unrealistic and potentially unsafe to ingest mega doses of Chitosan.

Does Chitosan lower cholesterol? No.

Can Chitosan help reduce Global Warming? No.

Can Chitosan help me lose weight? No. According to a recent study, “those who took chitosan lost an average of 2.8 pounds, compared to a loss of 0.6 in the placebo group,” which sounds interesting until you realize that it took 60 days to lose 2.8 pounds.

In other words, those who took Chitosan for 60 days lost an average of 0.3 pounds a week, which makes me want to laugh or cry, either would probably shed 0.3 pounds in a single session.

Seriously, if you want to lose 2.8 pounds in 60 days, all you need to do is to pick a health food store at least 5 blocks away from your house and walk to that store at least every other day.

But leave Chitosan off of your shopping list and have an apple instead. I bet you would lose more that 2.8 pounds in 60 days.

Chitosan Side Effects Other than wasted money, none are known at this time.