Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the chemistry, production, applications, and health effects of chitin, chitosan, and co-products. Chitin and chitosan are weak bases, and have been tested to have material and biological properties that might be beneficial to enhance wound repair. Both of them have great influence on different stages of wound healing in the experimental animal models. Chitosan polymers can interact with and modulate the migration behavior of neutrophils and macrophages modifying subsequent repair process, such as fibroplastica and reepithelialization. Chitosan has many industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. Safety and toxicological studies have been performed on chitosan to address issues related to its regulatory status. Based on its definition of functional foods, chitin and chitosans possess most of the required attributes related to enhancement of immunity, prevention of illness, delaying of aging, recovery for illness, and control of biorhythm. Thus, the use of chitosan in foods, such as potato chips, has been in commercial practice for some time. Therefore, regulatory status of chitosan varies from country to country and its use in food requires further studies to address issues of concern.

Chitin, Chitosan, and Co-Products: Chemistry, Production, Applications, and Health Effects

We examined dietary supplement use for weight loss and perceptions about safety, efficacy, and regulatory oversight of these products. A random digit-dialed telephone survey was conducted in 2005-2006, with a representative sample of 3,500 US adults. The survey assessed the beliefs and practices related to weight control. Outcome measures included the prevalence of dietary supplement use for weight reduction, demographic profile of supplement users, and knowledge about safety, efficacy, and regulation of dietary supplements. Of the adults who made a serious weight-loss attempt (n = 1,444), 33.9% reported ever using a dietary supplement for weight loss. Supplement use was more common among women (44.9%) vs. men (19.8%); those aged 25-34; African Americans (48.7%) or Hispanics (41.6%) vs. whites (31.2%); less educated (38.4% high school degree or less vs. 31.1% some college or more); lower income households (41.8% made or =$40K); obese (40.7%) vs. overweight (29.1%); those who made more lifetime weight-loss attempts (42.0% made > or =3 vs. 22.1% made or =4 vs. 25.2% used <4). Many users and non-users of dietary supplements had misperceptions about these products-many believed they are evaluated for safety and efficacy by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before marketing, and that dietary supplements are safer than over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications. Use of dietary supplements for weight loss is common. More information about dietary supplements is necessary to correct misperceptions and encourage the use of safe and effective weight-loss methods.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1038/oby.2007.136

Use of dietary supplements for weight loss in the United States: results of a national survey.

Aims: To observe the antiobesity activity of trans-10,cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-producing lactobacillus in mice.



Methods and Results: Lactobacillus plantarum PL62, which can grow in the presence of linoleic acid, was selected and studied. The culture supernatant of Lact. plantarum PL62 contained trans-10,cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid (6·4 μg ml−1), and the crude enzyme prepared from washed cells produced trans-10,cis-12 CLA (1395 μg mg−1 protein). Lact. plantarum PL62 reduced the weights of epididymal, inguinal, mesenteric, and perirenal white adipose tissues and significantly reduced the blood levels of total glucose and body weights of mice (P < 0·01).



Conclusions: trans-10,cis-12-CLA-producing Lact. plantarum PL62 can exert the same antiobesity activity as trans-10,cis-12-CLA in mice.



Significance and impact of the study: trans-10,cis-12-CLA-producing Lactobacillus can be a replacement for CLA for obesity treatment via the continuous production of trans-10,cis-12-CLA. The results provide a novel opportunity to develop foods with antiobesity activity.

Antiobesity effect of trans-10,cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid-producing Lactobacillus plantarum PL62 on diet-induced obese mice

Objective Dietary supplements are not recommended as part of a weight-loss program due to concerns about efficacy and safety. This study sought to assess prevalence and duration of nonprescription weight-loss supplement use, associated weight-control behaviors, discussion of use with a health care professional, and specific ingredient use. Participants and Design Adults aged ≥18 years (n=9,403) completed a cross-sectional population-based telephone survey of health behaviors from September 2002 through December 2002. Statistical Analyses Performed Both χ 2 and t tests were conducted for categorical and mean comparisons and multiple variable logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors. Results An estimated 15.2% of adults (women 20.6%, men 9.7%) had ever used a weight-loss supplement and 8.7% had past year use (women 11.3%, men 6.0%); highest use was among women aged 18 to 34 years (16.7%). In regression models, use was equally prevalent among race/ethnic groups and education levels. One in 10 (10.2%) of users reported ≥12 month use, with less frequent long-term use in women (7.7%) than men (15.0%), P =0.01. Almost one third (30.2%) of users discussed use during the past year; 73.8% used a supplement containing a stimulant including ephedra, caffeine, and/or bitter orange. Conclusions Use of supplements for losing weight seems to be common among many segments of the US adult population. Many adults are long-term users and most do not discuss this practice with their physician. Most of the weight-loss supplements taken contain stimulants. Qualified professionals should inquire about use of supplements for weight loss to facilitate discussion about the lack of efficacy data, possible adverse effects, as well as to dispel misinformation that may interfere with sound weight-management practices.

Use of Nonprescription Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss Is Common among Americans

We summarize evidence on the role of dietary supplements in weight reduction, with particular attention to their safety and benefits. Dietary supplements are used for two purposes in weight reduction: (a) providing nutrients that may be inadequate in calorie-restricted diets and (b) for their potential benefits in stimulating weight loss. The goal in planning weight-reduction diets is that total intake from food and supplements should meet recommended dietary allowance/adequate intake levels without greatly exceeding them for all nutrients, except energy. If nutrient amounts from food sources in the reducing diet fall short, dietary supplements containing a single nutrient/element or a multivitamin-mineral combination may be helpful. On hypocaloric diets, the addition of dietary supplements providing nutrients at a level equal to or below recommended dietary allowance/adequate intake levels or 100% daily value, as stated in a supplement's facts box on the label, may help dieters to achieve nutrient adequacy and maintain electrolyte balance while avoiding the risk of excessive nutrient intakes. Many botanical and other types of dietary supplements are purported to be useful for stimulating or enhancing weight loss. Evidence of their efficacy in stimulating weight loss is inconclusive at present. Although there are few examples of safety concerns related to products that are legal and on the market for this purpose, there is also a paucity of evidence on safety for this intended use. Ephedra and ephedrine-containing supplements, with or without caffeine, have been singled out in recent alerts from the Food and Drug Administration because of safety concerns, and use of products containing these substances cannot be recommended. Dietitians should periodically check the Food and Drug Administration Web site (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov) for updates and warnings and alert patients/clients to safety concerns. Dietetics professionals should also consult authoritative sources for new data on efficacy as it becomes available (ods.od.nih.gov).

Dietary Supplements in Weight Reduction

Combinations of meparfynol and anticonvulsant drugs were tested for anti-Metrazol® potency and neurotoxicity in mice. The addition of meparfynol to an anticonvulsant did not cause the protective index to rise above that of the better component in the combination.

David A. Brodie

Papers

Anti‐metrazol® efficacy of combinations of meparfynol and anticonvulsant drugs