Review Dr. Hennen provides an indepth overview of the negative effects of fat in the diet and the positive function of Chitosan as a fat binder as a dietary supplement.

In the introduction to his book, Dr. Hennen states "...Chitosan is an extraordinary fat binder. Chemically speaking, Chitosan is an amino polysaccharide that has the ability to 'bind' lipids in the stomach before they are absorbed through the digestive system into the bloodstream....When taken prior to eating or during a meal, it (Chitosan) can significantly reduce the body's absorption of dietary fats."

In the section on "Fearing Fats," Dr. Hennen writes "...virtually every health expert agrees that a high fat diet is directly linked to cardiovascular disease, various types of cancer and premature death." With respect to cholesterol, he states "The liver is constantly trying to clear out the bad cholesterol (LDL) by dumping it into the intestines. If we have sufficient amounts of the right kinds of fiber in our diet, our bodies dispose of cholesterol (as) waste rather than reabsorbing it back into the blood stream."

To counter the ill effects of obesity caused primarily by diets much too high in fat, Dr. Hennen makes the following point: "If we could tie up excess fat before it was absorbed , we could spare our physiological systems the stress of having to deal with that fat. Ideally then, what we need is a substance that prevents fat absorption."

Under the section entitled "CHITOSAN: The Fiber that Binds Fat", Dr. Hennen provides the following overview: "Chitosan is a natural product that inhibits fat absorption. It has the potential to revolutionize the process of losing weight and by so doing, reduce the incidence of some of the most devastating Western diseases we face today. Chitosan is indigestible and non-absorbable. Fats bound to chitosan become non-absorbable thereby negating their caloric value. Chitosan-bound fat leaves the intestinal tract having never entered the bloodstream. Chitosan is remarkable in that it has the ability to absorb an average of 4 to 5 times its weight in fat."

In reviewing the available literature, Dr. Hennen reports that the ingestion of chitosan has been shown to cause the excretion of 5 to 10 times more fat than any other natural fiber tested including Kapok, Pectin, Guar, Cellulose, Acacia, Chitin, Carrageen, Sodium Alginate, Locust Bean, Konjac (glucomannan), Karaya, Furcellaran, and Agar.

The book repeatedly references a large number of studies that show that chitosan has the unique ability to lower LDL cholesterol while boosting HDL cholesterol. All studies are footnoted and referenced.

Dr. Hennen's book concludes with the following points: "Chitosan is different. While it possesses many of the same benefits as plant fibers like psyllium, Chitosan is 'lipophilic' meaning that it 'loves fat'. It is a positively charged fiber that binds to negatively charged fatty acids. A fiber that attracts fat is unique to say the least."

Dr. Hennen summarizes the above as follows:

• Chitosan is a non-digestible dietary fiber.
• Chitosan bind fats
• Chitosan increases the excretion of dietary fats and cholesterol

 

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