Synopsis

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

Chitin-glucan is a natural polysaccharide extracted from the cell walls of fungi such as Aspergillus niger. It has been investigated for its potential to support metabolic syndrome, primarily due to its prebiotic effects and ability to modulate gut microbiota, which can in turn influence metabolic health. Several small-scale clinical studies and animal experiments have explored its effects on markers relevant to metabolic syndrome, including blood glucose, lipid profiles, and inflammation.

One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study (Vulevic et al., 2012) found that chitin-glucan supplementation (4.5 g/day for 6 weeks) improved cholesterol levels and reduced markers of oxidative stress in overweight and obese adults, suggesting some benefit for cardiovascular risk factors. Additionally, animal studies have shown that chitin-glucan may reduce body weight gain, improve glucose metabolism, and decrease liver fat accumulation (Delzenne et al., 2013).

However, the number of human studies is limited and most have small sample sizes. The underlying mechanisms are thought to involve increased production of short-chain fatty acids by beneficial gut bacteria and subsequent improvements in metabolic homeostasis. Overall, while preclinical and early clinical data are promising, the evidence is not yet strong or extensive. Larger, longer-term clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of chitin-glucan for metabolic syndrome management.

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