Chitosan attaches to fat in the stomach before it is metabolized. The chitosan traps the fat and prevents its absorption in the digestive tract. The fat binds to the chitosan fiber and becomes a mass which the body cannot absorb. This mass is then eliminated from the body. Neutralizing fat after it enters the stomach spares the body from having to deal with that fat.
Chitosan fiber differs from other fibres in that it possesses a positive ionic charge.
This positive charge gives chitosan the ability to chemically bond with negatively charged lipids, fats and bile acids. Chitosan has been used for over two decades without any known side effects. Another benefit of chitosan is that it inhibits bad cholesterol and boosts good cholesterol. Chitosan acts as an antacid and may be beneficial in the healing of ulcers and lesions. Chitosan also has anti-bacterial properties.