Chitosan Plus By Indiana Botanic Gardens Overview & Drug Interactions

Chitosan is a biopolymer derived from chitin, a natural substance found in the shells of crustaceans like shrimp and crabs. It is renowned for its versatile properties, including biodegradability and biocompatibility. Due to its positive charge, chitosan is often utilized in various applications such as water treatment, wound healing, drug delivery, and dietary supplements. Its ability to interact with molecules and surfaces makes it valuable in industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to agriculture. Additionally, chitosan is commonly used in dietary supplements for its potential to aid in weight management by binding to dietary fats and potentially reducing their absorption in the digestive system.

Garcinia is a plant genus in the family Clusiaceae, and is native to Asia, Australia, tropical and southern Africa, and Polynesia. The most well-known species is Garcinia cambogia, which is native to Indonesia. Garcinia cambogia is rich in hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is thought to be the main active component responsible for its purported medicinal effects of promoting weight loss and appetite suppression.

Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) is a plant species native to India and Africa that has been used traditionally in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat a range of conditions, including diabetes, obesity, and digestive problems. Gymnema is thought to work by inhibiting the absorption of sugar in the intestines and by increasing the production of insulin in the pancreas. If applied topically to the tongue, it reduces the sweetness and bitter sensation of foods, which may deter excess sugar intake (the plant is sometimes referred to informally as 'the sugar destroyer'). One of the most popular natural medicines utilized for dietary supplements, an extract of the leaf (Gymnema leaf extract) is the most often standardized for use, although the root can be used as well.