Home Ingredients ChitoClear® (Chitosan — Primex)
Weight ManagementCardiovascular

ChitoClear® (Chitosan — Primex)

Evidence Level
Moderate
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

ChitoClear® is a high-purity chitosan from Primex, a fiber-like compound derived from the shells of cold-water shrimp. Chitosan carries a positive charge that lets it bind dietary fat and bile in the gut, and it is studied for supporting modest weight management and healthy cholesterol.

Studied Dose Commonly 1 to 3 grams per day with meals.
Active Compound Chitosan, a deacetylated chitin biopolymer derived from shellfish shells.

Benefits

Weight management

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials found chitosan supplementation supported small average reductions in body weight (about 0.89 kg, or under 1 kg on average) and body composition. The effect is statistically significant but clinically marginal, so chitosan is best viewed as an adjunct rather than a primary weight-management aid.

Supported by Trial 1

Fat binding

Chitosan can bind some dietary fat in the digestive tract, modestly reducing the amount absorbed from a meal; the overall effect on fat absorption is small.

Supported by Trial 1

Cholesterol support

By binding bile acids and fat in the gut, chitosan is studied for supporting healthy cholesterol levels, with small reported effects on LDL.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Electrostatic fat binding

Positively charged chitosan binds negatively charged fatty acids and bile acids in the gut, forming complexes that are excreted rather than absorbed.

2

Bile-acid sequestration

Removing bile acids prompts the body to use cholesterol to make more, supporting lower circulating cholesterol.

Clinical trials

1
Chitosan and Body Weight — Meta-Analysis
PubMed

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of chitosan on body weight and composition. (Huang et al. 2020, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition)

Adults across multiple RCTs.

Chitosan supplementation supported small reductions versus control: body weight about -0.89 kg (95% CI -1.41 to -0.38), BMI -0.39, and body fat -0.69%. The pooled effect was statistically significant but clinically marginal, and the authors described chitosan as a useful adjunctive tool.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated — digestive symptoms are most common.
Mild constipation, gas, or nausea can occur.
Derived from shellfish; avoid if you have a shellfish allergy.

Important Drug interactions

May reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K); separate dosing.
Take medications and chitosan at least 2 hours apart.
Warfarin — possible interaction; monitor.

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Frequently asked questions about ChitoClear® (Chitosan — Primex)

What is ChitoClear?

ChitoClear® is a high-purity chitosan from Primex, a fiber-like compound derived from the shells of cold-water shrimp. Chitosan carries a positive charge that lets it bind dietary fat and bile in the gut, and it is studied for supporting modest weight management and healthy cholesterol.

What is ChitoClear used for?

ChitoClear is researched primarily for Weight Management and Cardiovascular. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials found chitosan supplementation supported small average reductions in body weight (about 0.89 kg, or under 1 kg on average) and body composition.

What is the recommended dosage of ChitoClear?

The clinically studied dose is Commonly 1 to 3 grams per day with meals. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is ChitoClear safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, ChitoClear is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated — digestive symptoms are most common. Mild constipation, gas, or nausea can occur. It may also interact with some medications. ChitoClear is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does ChitoClear interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: May reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K); separate dosing. Take medications and chitosan at least 2 hours apart. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for ChitoClear?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for ChitoClear as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 1 cited reference summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(1 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Huang H, Liao D, Zou Y, et al. The effects of chitosan supplementation on body weight and body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020;60(11):1815-1825..PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis supporting weight-management benefit of chitosan.