Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chitin-glucan complex is a natural polysaccharide derived mainly from the cell walls of fungi and some marine organisms. Its use in supporting or treating Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (IBD) is based on emerging scientific evidence rather than tradition. Preclinical studies (primarily in animal models) have shown that chitin-glucan exhibits prebiotic properties, modulates gut microbiota, and may exert anti-inflammatory effects in the intestinal tract. For example, studies in mice have demonstrated that chitin-glucan supplementation can reduce inflammation and improve gut barrier function in chemically induced models of colitis, which is used as an analog for human IBD. These effects are thought to be mediated by increases in beneficial gut bacteria and enhanced production of short-chain fatty acids, both of which are associated with improved gut health and immune modulation.

However, as of mid-2024, there is a lack of robust human clinical trials directly assessing the efficacy of chitin-glucan in patients with IBD such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Most available evidence comes from in vitro studies and animal experiments, with only limited human data addressing general gut health and inflammation rather than IBD specifically. Therefore, while the scientific rationale is promising and justifies further research, the current level of evidence for its clinical use in IBD is low to moderate, meriting a rating of 2 out of 5.

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