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| Universal Chitosan Plus |
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Review
Summary |
 Chitosan Plus is marketed and promoted by the company, Universal Nutrition, which has a large inventory of dietary supplements and vitamins. This product is advertised to not only lower cholesterol levels, but also block the absorption of fat. In fact, the manufacturer claims that Chitosan Plus will also generate fat reduction in those who use it regularly.
For the purpose of this review, we will focus on if this product may actually address the issue of high cholesterol levels. We will take a closer look at its contained ingredients and the product as a whole.
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| Ingredients at a Glance |
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According to the company website, Chitosan Plus contains some of the following: Chitosan, Psyllium (a source of dietary fiber) and Oat Bran. There are also several other filler ingredients that are clearly listed online for consumer review.
The most active ingredient in this formula is Chitosan, but the supplement as a whole contains naturally derived ingredients. We prefer natural solutions and remedies, but feel it takes a high quality formula for a natural product to perform as advertised.
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| Ingredients in Focus |
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Chitosan is dried or crushed shells of shrimp. This ingredient is advertised to attract fat from the digestive system and rid it from the body. It’s said that if this ingredient works as advertised, it will have a diuretic and laxative-like effect, since it must expel the fat from the body. However, current research does not support the claim of this manufacturer, and we’re not confident that Chitosan will have a significant effect on cholesterol levels. Furthermore, we fear that some people may actually gain weight on this supplement if they believe the advertisements and increase their fat intake.
Fortunately, there are other options available on the market, including those that contain ingredients proven to reduce cholesterol. We believe interested individuals should look into supplements that contain Plant Sterols. Unlike Chitosan, this ingredient has been shown to reduce cholesterol by up to 40%. This natural substance is said to work by fooling the digestive system by looking like cholesterol. The end results are that the body absorbs Plant Sterols and flushes the real cholesterol right out of the system. This ingredient allows individuals to eat more of their favorite foods, and has even been approved by the FDA.
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| Website |
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We are a little disappointed to discover that the manufacturer has not made an exclusive product website for Chitosan Plus. Though, the supplement is featured on the company website. However, at time of review, there is very little product description provided, and absolutely no cited research or posted consumer reviews, both of which may indicate if a supplement has been tested for safety and effectiveness.
Though, the company website has a checkout function, which allows interested individuals to purchase directly from the manufacturer, rather than from a third-party retailer. Currently, the company only offers returns if the products are purchased directly from them.
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| Positives |
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• Contains basic ingredients
• May be found at reduced prices
• Supplement may be purchased directly from the manufacturer
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| Negatives |
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• Does not contain Plant Sterols
• At time, no product website
• Consumer reviews are not currently posted online
• Main ingredient has not been proven as of review to reduce cholesterol levels
• No cited research at time of writing
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| Final Thoughts |
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In the end, it’s an attractive thought that this product may simply block fat from being absorbed into the body. Research indicates that Chitosan may be able to perform such a function at a very small level, but probably not enough to generate significant results. However, those who wish to test the effectiveness of Chitosan Plus may purchase it off the company website for around $26 per 120 capsules. Again, there are other cholesterol products on the market. We believe those interested in a proven ingredient should look for supplements that contain the above mentioned Plant Sterols.
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| Our
Reader's Poll Top Choice: |
Week
of: Tue Jan 06th, 2009 |
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CholesterClear®:
CholesterClear® -
Imagine lowering your Cholesterol levels while still being able to eat the foods you love. CholesterClear® is an awesome product which literally blocks the bad cholesterol from being absorbed by the body. It does this naturally and safely because it contains certified organic highly concentrated plant sterols which have been clinically proven to effectively block 42% of the cholesterol in your food from being digested. This substance has been approved by the FDA and American Medical Association as being effective in lowering and preventing high Cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels. With over 1200 published studies declaring it works, how can you go wrong with this? Prescriptions that fight Cholesterol levels also have some ugly negative side effects associated with them – so we recommend checking this product out because it has no side effects what-so-ever. Click Here to read our full review. |
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