Chito-MAX 750, as chitosan, is an N-deacetylated product of chitin with a minimum 90% degree of deacetylation. Chitosan is a glucosamine polymer derived from crab shells.*

Chito-MAX 750, with chitosan, a natural product produced from the chitin of crab shells, binds strongly to dietary fat and thus can effectively inhibit its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. As an effective binder of dietary fat, chitosan can be a potent component of a weight control program.The strong positive charge of the chitosan molecule is responsible for its binding to negatively charged lipid molecules. The chitosan molecule’s positive charge and associated fat binding efficiency is related to its degree of deacetylation. Thus, a highly deacetylated chitosan product like Chito-MAX 750 has a strong inhibitory effect on fat digestibility.* Research has shown that fat digestion and absorption can be reduced further if the dietary chitosan is supplemented with ascorbic acid. Chito-MAX 750 is supplemented with an ascorbic acid preparation to improve its efficacy.*

Animal studies have also demonstrated that addition of 2 to 5% chitosan to a hypercholesterolemic diet significantly reduced plasma cholesterol 20 to 30% without affecting food intake. The chitosan in this study evidently reduced plasma cholesterol by binding intestinal lipids and increasing fecal excretion of both endogenous and exogenous cholesterol. Later investigation showed that chitosan binds both bile acids and phospholipids, reducing their absorption from the intestines.*