Russian company Oligopharm has developed a new dietary supplement based on chitosan oligosaccharide ascorbate. The company claims the ingredient has powerful effects on a number of diseases.
The preparation is based on the natural oligomer derived from sea Crustacea native to regions of far eastern Russia. Unlike common chitosan preparations, the company says its product, Oligochit ascorbate, is completely soluble in water and therefore is easily absorbed in the gut.
Chitosan oligosaccharide on its own is said to carry out several health-enhancing functions, according to Oligopharm, ranging from immunomodulating activity and antibacterial properties, to stimulation of the gastro-intestinal tract, fighting carcinogens and lowering arterial blood pressure.
Combining chitosan oligosaccharide with ascorbic acid means that the chitosan oligosaccharide stabilises the vitamin C and acts as a carrier for ascorbic acid into the blood stream, claims the company, improving absorption of the vitamin.
The ingredient also controls lipid and carbohydrate metabolism as well as other metabolic processes increasing resistance to various diseases, and creates a favourable medium for growth of bifido- and lacto-bacteria required for normal functioning of the intestines.
The company added that in one study, 700mg supplements of the ingredient taken daily over a 40 day period by osteoarthrosis patients, and alongside therapeutic physical training, showed significant decrease of pain, better joint and spine mobility and effective anti-inflammatory activity.
The ingredient works by protecting the articular cartilage and regenerating cartilage tissue structure. Its analgesic effect is comparable to that of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, according to Oligopharm. Primary results in atherosclerotic patients showed that the product may also remove atherosclerotic plaques.