Definition: Chitosan is a fiber-like product made from ground shrimp shells that inhibits fat absorption. It is not digestible and has the ability to absorb many times its weight in fats, preventing their absorption through the intestinal wall.

Applications: Obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension, heartburn and gout.

Recommendations: Chitosan comes in capsules and powders and should be taken just prior to eating a meal with fat content. Four to eight capsules per meal is the usual amount required to absorb adequate amounts of fat. Using simple chitosan for fat absorption is better than blends which do not contain enough of the compound to be effective.