Fat-Absorbing Ingredients

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Chitosan was an ingredient marked by rapid growth several years ago, but it seems the ingredient has fallen on hard times due to conflicting scientific evidence regarding efficacy. The most recent review of research on chitosan, published in the Cochrane Library in August, pointed out numerous flaws in the quality of chitosan studies that have been conducted to date. Fourteen trials, including a total of 1131 participants, were included in the review. Researchers found some evidence that chitosan was more effective than placebo in the short-term treatment of overweight and obesity. However, they said many trials were of poor quality and results were variable. Furthermore, results obtained from high quality trials indicated that the effect of chitosan on body weight was minimal and unlikely to be of clinical significance.

According to Nutraingredients.com, Iceland-based Primex, suppliers of the LipoSan brand of chitosan, is about to “make a mark on the weight loss category and create new demand for its product.” The company’s sales and marketing director, Thore Ivar Thorsen, said, “We are completing a turnaround from a generic product and using new clinical trials to make this year into a strong growth year.” The article on Nutraingredients.com also indicated that the firm is currently funding a study to demonstrate the mechanism by which the product works. In fact, the scientific commitment has helped the firm in its discussions with a multinational partner that is planning to add the ingredient to a daily consumed food.

Another ingredient that has stepped up its role as a fat absorber is NeOpuntia, which is currently being positioned as a “green alternative” to chitosan. “NeOpuntia’s balance of soluble and insoluble plant fiber makes it very easy to digest,” said Greg Edmunds, vice president of marketing for Charles Bowman & Company, Holland, MI, which distributes the product in the U.S. “When bound to fats, it develops into a very soft matrix that passes through the body with ease. Historical data on the use of opuntia indicate the product is very well tolerated, even at higher doses.”

For NeOpuntia, the market for functional foods seems to be a ripe one. “Functional foods in the weight loss/management category are starting to grow, and we see very significant opportunities arising,” said Mr. Edmunds. “One advantage to food products is the ability to increase the dose of actives provided to the consumer per serving. With NeOpuntia, it is quite easy to provide our recommended serving of 1.5 grams in a food product.”

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