CHITOSAN

The Role of Fiber
Fiber is the rough material found in vegetables, fruits and grains that cannot be digested by the body. As fiber passes through the stomach and intestines it helps absorb water, organic wastes and toxins, and carries them through the intestinal tract and out of the body. There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber can be dissolved in water and can be broken down by bacterial enzymes in the intestinal tract; insoluble fiber cannot be broken down and passes through the digestive tract largely intact.

Chitosan is a soluble fiber derived from chitin, a complex carbohydrate that comes from the hard shells of crustaceans like crab and lobster. Chitosan naturally carries a positive charge that is able to attract, draw in and absorb fat and cholesterol; so much so that chitosan can absorb four to five times its weight. All of which is then passed out of the body.

According to the American Dietetic Association, on average, Americans only eat about 12-17 grams of fiber a day. The association recommends people eat about 20-35 grams of fiber each day, including both soluble and insoluble fiber.