Safety Aspects and Cholesterol-Lowering Efficacy of Chitosan Tablets

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two different doses of chitosan on serum fat-soluble vitamin concentrations, cholesterol concentrations, and other safety parameters. METHODS: A total of 65 men and women consumed 0, 4.5, 6.75 g per day of chitosan or 6.75 g per day glucomannan for eight weeks in a parallel, placebo-controlled, single-blind study. Altogether, 56 participants completed the study. RESULTS: No differences were detected among the treatments in serum vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin E, 25-hydroxyvitamin D), carotenes (alpha- and beta-carotene), clinical chemistry or hematology measurements. The changes in the total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations among the study groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the consumption of chitosan tablets was found to be safe, but there was no significant effect on cholesterol concentration.