MicroChitosan™

MicroChitosan™ contains chitosan oligosaccharide, which has a much smaller molecular size than chitosan. Description Chitosan is a sugar that comes from the outer skeleton of shellfish, including crab, lobster, and shrimp. It's used as medicine and in drug manufacturing. Chitosan is a fibrous substance that might reduce how much fat and cholesterol the body absorbs from foods. It also helps blood clot when applied to wounds. People use chitosan for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, wound healing, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses. May support enhanced detoxification of Herxheimer’s reactions* • Promotes the growth of friendly bifidobacteria and lactobacilli* • Helps prevent lipid peroxidation, and promotes the activity of antioxidant enzymes* • Animal research suggests it may potentially have other detoxification activities* Effectiveness Header NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. Possibly Effective   High blood pressure. Replacing table salt with a table salt product that contains small amounts of chitosan (Symbiosal) might help lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. Obesity. Taking chitosan by mouth while on a calorie-restricted diet can improve weight loss in people who are overweight or obese, but only by a very small amount. Recovery after surgery. Applying a chitosan gel might help prevent scar tissue from forming in the sinuses after surgery. There is interest in using chitosan for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful. Safety When taken by mouth: Chitosan is possibly safe when used for up to 3 months. It might cause stomach upset, constipation, or gas.  Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, 1 to 3 capsules daily on an empty stomach, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner. WARNING: Avoid this product if you are allergic to shellfish, pregnant or lactating. If used long-term, additional supplementation with fat soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids is recommended. Supplement Facts Serving Size 3 capsules   Servings Per Container 20   Amount per serving   Proprietary Blend Chitosan Oligosaccharide and Chitosan (shrimp, crab, lobster) 1.8 g   Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, ascorbic acid, microcrystalline cellulose, L-leucine. Keep in a cool, dry place, tightly capped. Contains: Shellfish. Chitosan is an aminopolysaccharide that is chemically similar to cellulose. Chitosan oligosaccharides (CO) are manufactured from chitosan by an enzymatic process, resulting in a much smaller molecular size that is more easily absorbed by the body. Chitosan itself is more of a fiber and contributes to detoxification in the GI tract, whereas CO supports detoxification in blood and other tissues.* In a small clinical trial of people being treated for Borrelia and experiencing Herxheimer’s reactions, MicroChitosan™ improved Herxheimer’s symptoms by the end of one week.* In subjects with pain, 100% reported significant improvement (in half of these, the pain completely resolved), and of those with sleep disturbances, 75% reported sleeping more deeply and waking up more well rested.* The research on chitosan oligosaccharides is extensive, and shows it has great potential to benefit health. Chitosan oligosaccharides can promote the growth of friendly bifidobacteria and lactobacillus. Unlike fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which promote the growth of only three probiotic strains, chitosan oligosaccharide supports many bifidobacteria and lactobacillus species. Chitosan oligosaccharide has been shown to protect the liver from damage by carbon tetrachloride in mice, and to protect against mercury toxicity.* It can promote the activity of antioxidant enzymes and help prevent lipid peroxidation, helping to protect mice poisoned with dioxin. It has also shown potential to support microbial balancing and other immune functions.* Investigated and utilized for many years by Akira Matsunaga, M.D., Ph.D., chitosan itself is considered a superior health substance in Japan, because it has a broad effect on all of the body’s systems. Dr. Matsunaga found that it strengthened those who were weak, made healthy patients healthier, and improved common daily complaints and the quality of life.* He found that chitosan did not target only one organ, but effectively supported the functioning of all of the body’s systems and organs.* More in-depth discussions of both chitosan and chitosan oligosaccharide may be found in our July 2007 Allergy Research Group Focus Newsletter. Both chitosan and chitosan oligosaccharide are extremely safe. Even at a chitosan oligosaccharide intake of 2000 mg/kg in rats, which extrapolates to more than 135,000 mg per day for an average-weight adult human, researchers could not find a potential adverse effect or toxicity