Home Ingredients KiOnutrime-CsG® (Fungal Chitosan — KitoZyme)
Weight ManagementCardiovascular

KiOnutrime-CsG® (Fungal Chitosan — KitoZyme)

Evidence Level
Limited
1 Clinical Trial
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

KiOnutrime-CsG® is a non-animal chitosan from KitoZyme, made from the cell walls of the fungus Aspergillus niger rather than shellfish. This vegetarian, shellfish-free fat-binder belongs to the chitosan class, which has been studied (mostly as shellfish-derived chitosan) for weight management; KiOnutrime-CsG itself was tested in one 90-day single-blind placebo-controlled trial in 96 overweight adults (2.5 g a day, co-authored by KitoZyme staff), where body weight fell 3.1 kg on average, significantly more than on placebo.

Studied Dose Commonly around 2.5 grams per day, taken before meals.
Active Compound Non-animal (fungal) chitosan from Aspergillus niger, a positively charged fat-binding fiber.

Benefits

Weight management

A meta-analysis of chitosan trials found modest reductions in body weight and body fat versus control, though effects were small (about 0.8 kg) with no significant change in BMI or waist. Those trials used mostly shellfish-derived chitosan; KiOnutrime-CsG, a fungal (Aspergillus niger) chitosan, was tested separately in one 90-day single-blind placebo-controlled trial in 96 overweight adults at 2.5 g a day, co-authored by KitoZyme staff: body weight fell 3.1 kg on average, significantly more than on placebo.

Supported by Trial 1

Fat binding

Chitosan can bind some dietary fat in the gut, but the amount of extra fat excreted in human studies is small and inconsistent.

Supported by Trial 1

Shellfish-free option

Being fungal-derived, it suits vegetarians and people with shellfish allergies, unlike traditional shellfish chitosan.

Supported by Trial 1

Cholesterol: small drop in chitosan trials, lipids flat in own trial

In a 90-day single-blind placebo-controlled trial of KiOnutrime-CsG itself (2.5 g a day, 96 overweight adults, co-authored by KitoZyme staff), LDL, HDL and triglycerides did not change; total cholesterol was not reported. A pooled analysis of 6 placebo-controlled trials of generic chitosan in 416 adults with high cholesterol found total cholesterol about 11.6 mg/dL lower, with no significant change in LDL, HDL or triglycerides.

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

In theory, binding bile acids could prompt the body to draw on cholesterol to replace them, but human data on chitosan and cholesterol are limited and inconsistent.

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 of chitosan; the pooled trials used mostly shellfish-derived chitosan, not the fungal KiOnutrime-CsG form.

Chitosan supplementation supported modest reductions in body weight versus control.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated — digestive symptoms are most common.
Mild constipation, gas, or nausea can occur.
Take with plenty of water before meals.

Important Drug interactions

May reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K); separate dosing.
Take medications at least 2 hours apart from chitosan.
Tell your doctor if you take fat-soluble medications.

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Frequently asked questions about KiOnutrime-CsG® (Fungal Chitosan — KitoZyme)

What is KiOnutrime-CsG?

KiOnutrime-CsG® is a non-animal chitosan from KitoZyme, made from the cell walls of the fungus Aspergillus niger rather than shellfish. This vegetarian, shellfish-free fat-binder belongs to the chitosan class, which has been studied (mostly as shellfish-derived chitosan) for weight management; KiOnutrime-CsG itself was…

What is KiOnutrime-CsG used for?

KiOnutrime-CsG is researched primarily for Weight Management and Cardiovascular. A meta-analysis of chitosan trials found modest reductions in body weight and body fat versus control, though effects were small (about 0.8 kg) with no significant change in BMI or waist.

What is the recommended dosage of KiOnutrime-CsG?

The clinically studied dose is Commonly around 2.5 grams per day, taken before meals. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is KiOnutrime-CsG safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for KiOnutrime-CsG include: Generally well-tolerated — digestive symptoms are most common. Mild constipation, gas, or nausea can occur. It may also interact with some medications. KiOnutrime-CsG 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 KiOnutrime-CsG interact with any medications?

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

How strong is the scientific evidence for KiOnutrime-CsG?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for KiOnutrime-CsG as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 1 study summary and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 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 of chitosan (mostly shellfish-derived) showing a small weight-management effect; used here as class-level support because the fungal KiOnutrime-CsG form was not tested in these trials.
  2. Baker WL, Tercius A, Anglade M, White CM, Coleman CI. A meta-analysis evaluating the impact of chitosan on serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic patients. Ann Nutr Metab. 2009;55(4):368-74..PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 6 randomized placebo-controlled trials (n=416 hypercholesterolemic patients) of generic chitosan, not the fungal KiOnutrime-CsG form. Total cholesterol was 11.59 mg/dL lower (p=0.02), with no significant effect on LDL, HDL or triglycerides. This backs the small total-cholesterol class benefit.
  3. Trivedi VR, Satia MC, Deschamps A, Maquet V, Shah RB, Zinzuwadia PH, Trivedi JV. Single-blind, placebo controlled randomised clinical study of chitosan for body weight reduction. Nutr J. 2016;15:3..PubMedUsed to support: 90-day phase IV randomised, multicentre, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial of KiOnutrime-CsG itself (Aspergillus niger chitosan, 500 mg capsules, 5 a day = 2.5 g/day) in 96 overweight and obese adults (64 chitosan, 32 placebo; 86 completed). Two authors are KitoZyme employees. Body weight fell 3.10 kg on chitosan at day 90, significantly more than placebo (p<0.0001; placebo about 0.3 kg per the discussion). Lipid levels (TG, HDL, LDL, VLDL) were unaffected, and total cholesterol was not reported. This backs the brand-trial sentence of the Cardiovascular benefit and is the brand's own weight-loss evidence.