The benefits and hazards of chitin

The name chitin may sound unfamiliar to us. The main component of chitin is chitin. Chitin is non-toxic, colorless and odorless, similar to cellulose, so it is also called animal fiber. It is mainly found in the shells of animals. Chitin is the most abundant polysaccharide in nature and can protect the body skeleton very well. Chitosan is a very important pharmaceutical ingredient extracted from chitin and is widely used in medical aspects.

Health benefits of chitin

Strengthens immunity

Chitin can enhance the body's immune function and strengthen the proliferation of immune cells, thus having the effect of strengthening immunity. Animal experiments published in Japan have confirmed that the immune-enhancing effect of chitin helps reduce damage to tumor cells and promote the regeneration and normalization of damaged liver cells.

Non-toxic anti-cancer effect

The anti-cancer effect of chitin has been confirmed by Tohoku Pharmaceutical University in Japan, and its anti-cancer effect is suitable for organisms without any toxic reactions. The research team of Hokkaido University also found that chitin has the effect of inhibiting the spread and metastasis of malignant tumor cells.

Lowers cholesterol

Chitin appears in the body in the form of positively charged cations and can combine with bile acid and bile salts, thereby inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol by the small intestine. It not only reduces the accumulation of cholesterol in the liver, but also reduces the concentration of malignant cholesterol (LDL) and increases the content of good cholesterol (HDL). Therefore, it is very effective in preventing arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

Improve digestive function

Chitin can promote the reproduction of beneficial intestinal bacteria, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, and reduce the chance of E. coli growth, thus achieving the effect of strengthening the stomach and regulating the intestines.

Suppressing high blood pressure caused by excessive salt intake

Chitin and chitosan, the components of chitin, are high molecular polymers that cannot be absorbed by the human body. A study led by the Japanese Fisheries Agency showed that chitin added to food will cause salt to adhere to it due to ion adsorption by the human body, thus retaining the original flavor of the food without causing excessive absorption of salt by the human body. Therefore, people who want to control their blood pressure can eat foods containing added chitin without having to worry about excessive salt intake.

Reduce the accumulation of heavy metals in the body

The accumulation of heavy metals in the body can cause sequelae such as neurological diseases and organ dysfunction. Chitin can absorb heavy metals such as copper, cadmium, zinc, and uranium and excrete them from the body. Today, as environmental pollution becomes increasingly serious, chitin helps eliminate waste from the body and ensures the normal functioning of human physiological functions.

Chitin's weight loss effects

The weight-loss effect of chitin refers to the fact that the positive and negative ions it carries automatically attach and combine with the negatively charged fat in the food, blocking the action of the fat-decomposing enzyme, so that the fat is not absorbed in the intestines and is directly excreted from the body. Chitin will combine with fat and be excreted from the body, but it will not combine with protein, which is an important nutrient, so it will not cause harm to the human body. It has the function of allowing people who want to lose weight to use it with peace of mind without affecting nutrient absorption. Chitin is different from general weight loss foods that suppress appetite or cause diarrhea to achieve weight loss effects. What's more, it can also improve the metabolic function of the digestive tract.