CHITOSAN HELPS KEEP THE ARTERIES CLEAN

March 11th, 2009

If Chitosan only blocked the absorption of fat and helped us to lose weight, it would be enough. But it does more. This miraculous substance also alters the blood profile.

There are many tests in a standard blood panel, but two of the most important as far as heart health are concerned are the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, or blood fats. Elevated levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides have both been strongly linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Our livers continuously try to eliminate excess LDL from our bodies by dumping it into our intestines. However, often our livers are not fully successful at eliminating LDL. At other times, a portion of the LDL is reabsorbed through our intestines because we have insufficient fiber to carry it away. Thus, excess LDL, and its concomitants, atherosclerosis and heart disease, are problems faced by millions of people as they age.

To combat excess LDL, doctors prescribe cholestyramine, Mevacor, Zocar or various similar medications. These classes of drugs are effective in reducing LDL, but can cause significant damage to the body. People who take these drugs must be carefully monitored by their physicians.

To a large extent, Chitosan solves the problem of excess LDL because it acts in two ways. First, as stated, it bonds with the fat, thus blocking it from even being absorbed by the body before reaching the liver. At the same time, it acts as a regular dietary fiber and helps carry out any fat that was dumped by the liver into the intestines, avoiding reabsorption. Remarkably, researchers have found in studies comparing Chitosan to cholestyramine that Chitosan is as effective in lowering LDL but, of course, have no known side effects.

The net result of all this is that Chitosan can help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering the bad cholesterol in our bloodstreams. This was evident as early as 1991, when Norwegian researchers noted that taking Chitosan led to a significant reduction in cholesterol and blood fats.⁸ The study put Chitosan’s cholesterol-lowering prowess to the test in 8 healthy men ranging in age from 20 to 23 who were given

♦ Biscuits (without Chitosan) for the first 6 days of the study,

♦ 3 grams of Chitosan baked into biscuits, every day for the next 7 days,

♦ 6 grams of Chitosan, via similar biscuits, every day for the ensuing 7 days,