Chitosan is a fiber composed of chitin, which is a component of the shell of shellfish and is used for weight and cholesterol reduction. If you're not getting results with other commonly used fiber, we suggest you try six 500-mg capsules of chitosan along with 1000 mg of vitamin C before each meal. Chitosan requires ascorbic acid to become soluble in the gut. A trial on functional constipation in children showed that most children with fecal incontinence benefit from a strict treatment plan that includes defecation trials, a fiber-rich diet, and laxative medications. Laxative use was significantly reduced in a long-term care facility when an interdisciplinary program based on a philosophy of prevention and health promotion was implemented.
Constipation is a problem frequently encountered during pregnancy, as is excessive weight gain.
Treatments commonly used to control constipation are endowed with some drawbacks and often do not help control weight. However, a preparation of lactulose and glucomannan was shown to be effective and well-tolerated in patients with constipation and was also shown to be effective in controlling excessive food intakes. This preparation resulted in a return to normal frequency of weekly number of evacuations and a parallel control of weight gain. It is common for constipation to occur following severe spinal cord injury. Indeed, the effect may be the opposite to that desired.