title: L-ascorbic acid addition to chitosan reduces body weight in overweight women.
abstract: Previously, we have found that the addition of L-ascorbic acid to chitosan enhanced the reduction in body weight gain in guinea pigs fed a high-fat diet. We hypothesized that the addition of L-ascorbic acid to chitosan would accelerate the reduction of body weight in humans, similar to the animal model. Overweight subjects administered chitosan with or without L-ascorbic acid for 8 weeks, were assigned to three groups: Control group (N=26, placebo, vehicle only), Chito group (N=27, 3 g/day chitosan), and Chito-vita group (N=27, 3 g/day chitosan plus 2 g/day L-ascorbic acid). The body weights and body mass index (BMI) of the Chito and Chito-vita groups decreased significantly (p<0.05) compared to the Control group. The BMI of the Chito-vita group decreased significantly compared to the Chito group (Chito: -1.0 kg/m2 vs. Chito-vita: -1.6 kg/m2, p<0.05). The results showed that the chitosan enhanced reduction of body weight and BMI was accentuated by the addition of L-ascorbic acid. The fat mass, percentage body fat, body circumference, and skinfold thickness in the Chito and Chito-vita groups decreased more than the Control group; however, these parameters were not significantly different between the three groups. Chitosan combined with L-ascorbic acid may be useful for controlling body weight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Home Economic Education, Jeonju University, Jeonju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Dongduk Womens University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Dongduk Womens University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Un Jae
authors.initials: UJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Suh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D048271:Chitosan / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D050177:Overweight / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010919:Placebos; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000187:drug effects; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D008055:Lipids; D010919:Placebos; D048271:Chitosan; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
keywords: L-ascorbic acid; chitosan; dietary supplements; obesity; weight loss