How Effective Is Chitosan In Lowering Cholesterol?

Posted on Sat, 8 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 8 Oct 2016 Answered on

Wed, 2 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Chitosan effectiveness in lowering cholesterol

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

The jury is still out on determining Chitosan's effectiveness in lowering cholesterol. Some (small) studies have shown significant decreases in cholesterol levels, other studies have not shown any significant change. The trials are still small, mostly pilot (initial) research.

Here is an article summarizing a variety of research papers, but again, the number of people in the trials was small: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/458896_4

So - since much of the research on it is small and the results are conflicting, it is still in the category of "insufficient evidence" regarding it's effectiveness.

I'm sorry I can't give you an answer such as a percentage of effectiveness, as we just don't know yet. More research has to be done.

I hope this information helps.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar