Chitin is a prebiotic fibre found in crustacean shells, some mushrooms, and insects. Chitin provides various benefits for human health as a dietary fibre.
Here are three ways chitin helps support your health:
- Digestive Health: Chitin acts as a prebiotic fibre, serving as a food source for beneficial gut bacteria. By promoting the growth of these beneficial bacteria, chitin helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which is important for digestive function, nutrient absorption, and overall gut health.1Lopez-Santamarina A, Mondragon ADC, Lamas A, Miranda JM, Franco CM, Cepeda A. Animal-Origin Prebiotics Based on Chitin: An Alternative for the Future? A Critical Review. Foods. 2020 Jun 12;9(6):782. doi: 10.3390/foods9060782.2Liu W, Li X, Zhao Z, Pi X, Meng Y, Fei D, Liu D, Wang X. Effect of chitooligosaccharides on human gut microbiota and antiglycation. Carbohydr Polym. 2020 Aug 15;242:116413. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116413.
- Immune Support: Chitin has immunomodulatory properties, meaning it can help regulate and support the immune system. It has been found to stimulate the production of certain immune cells and cytokines, contributing to a balanced immune response and potentially enhancing immune function.3Elieh Ali Komi D, Sharma L, Dela Cruz CS. Chitin and Its Effects on Inflammatory and Immune Responses. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2018 Apr;54(2):213-223. doi: 10.1007/s12016-017-8600-0.4Lee CG, Da Silva CA, Lee JY, Hartl D, Elias JA. Chitin regulation of immune responses: an old molecule with new roles. Curr Opin Immunol. 2008 Dec;20(6):684-9. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2008.10.002.
- Cholesterol Management: Chitin has been shown to have cholesterol-lowering effects. It can bind to dietary cholesterol in the digestive tract, reducing its absorption and promoting its excretion. By helping to manage cholesterol levels, chitin may contribute to cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of heart disease.5Ylitalo R, Lehtinen S, Wuolijoki E, Ylitalo P, Lehtimäki T. Cholesterol-lowering properties and safety of chitosan. Arzneimittelforschung. 2002;52(1):1-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1299848.6Bokura H, Kobayashi S. Chitosan decreases total cholesterol in women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2003 May;57(5):721-5. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601603.7Ormrod DJ, Holmes CC, Miller TE. Dietary chitosan inhibits hypercholesterolaemia and atherogenesis in the apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse model of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis. 1998 Jun;138(2):329-34. doi: 10.1016/s0021-9150(98)00045-8.
Which bacteria are involved in the metabolism/fermentation of chitin?
Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species are among the bacteria known to be involved in the metabolism and fermentation of chitin in the gut. These microbes break chitin down into beneficial byproducts such as short-chain fatty acids.8Alessandri G, Milani C, Duranti S, Mancabelli L, Ranjanoro T, Modica S, Carnevali L, Statello R, Bottacini F, Turroni F, Ossiprandi MC, Sgoifo A, van Sinderen D, Ventura M. Ability of bifidobacteria to metabolize chitin-glucan and its impact on the gut microbiota. Sci Rep. 2019 Apr 8;9(1):5755. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-42257-z.9Selenius, Otto & Korpela, Jaakko & Salminen, Seppo & Gómez-Gallego, Carlos. (2018). Effect of chitin and chitooligosaccharide on in vitro growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Escherichia coli TG. Applied Food Biotechnology. 5. 163-172. 10.22037/afb.v%vi%i.20468.
How can you get more chitin in your diet?
Our Complete Prebiotic provides a good source of chitin. Another source of chitin are crustacean shells. Not many people actually eat prawn or crab shells, so chitin sourced from crustaceans normally comes in nutritional supplements. If you are allergic to fish and/or crustaceans please be mindful of the source of chitin supplements.10Islam N, Hoque M, Taharat SF. Recent advances in extraction of chitin and chitosan. World J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2022 Nov 28;39(1):28. doi: 10.1007/s11274-022-03468-1.
Plant sources of chitin include shiitake, oyster mushrooms, and enoki mushrooms. Incorporating these foods into your diet can increase your intake of chitin, helping you benefit from its positive role in gut health.11Pellis A, Guebitz GM, Nyanhongo GS. Chitosan: Sources, Processing and Modification Techniques. Gels. 2022 Jun 21;8(7):393. doi: 10.3390/gels8070393.
Where to find your chitin score in the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test
You will find your chitin score in the “Prebiotics” report in your Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test results. Guidance on how to work with your chitin score will be featured in your personal action plan. Please note that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or another qualified health provider if you have any questions about the impact of chitin on your health.
Synonyms: chitosan, chitosan polysaccharide, N-acetylglucosamine, fungal chitosan, crustacean exoskeleton, insect cuticle
Important disclaimer
The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before changing your diet or starting to take food supplements.
References
- 1Lopez-Santamarina A, Mondragon ADC, Lamas A, Miranda JM, Franco CM, Cepeda A. Animal-Origin Prebiotics Based on Chitin: An Alternative for the Future? A Critical Review. Foods. 2020 Jun 12;9(6):782. doi: 10.3390/foods9060782.
- 2Liu W, Li X, Zhao Z, Pi X, Meng Y, Fei D, Liu D, Wang X. Effect of chitooligosaccharides on human gut microbiota and antiglycation. Carbohydr Polym. 2020 Aug 15;242:116413. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116413.
- 3Elieh Ali Komi D, Sharma L, Dela Cruz CS. Chitin and Its Effects on Inflammatory and Immune Responses. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2018 Apr;54(2):213-223. doi: 10.1007/s12016-017-8600-0.
- 4Lee CG, Da Silva CA, Lee JY, Hartl D, Elias JA. Chitin regulation of immune responses: an old molecule with new roles. Curr Opin Immunol. 2008 Dec;20(6):684-9. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2008.10.002.
- 5Ylitalo R, Lehtinen S, Wuolijoki E, Ylitalo P, Lehtimäki T. Cholesterol-lowering properties and safety of chitosan. Arzneimittelforschung. 2002;52(1):1-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1299848.
- 6Bokura H, Kobayashi S. Chitosan decreases total cholesterol in women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2003 May;57(5):721-5. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601603.
- 7Ormrod DJ, Holmes CC, Miller TE. Dietary chitosan inhibits hypercholesterolaemia and atherogenesis in the apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse model of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis. 1998 Jun;138(2):329-34. doi: 10.1016/s0021-9150(98)00045-8.
- 8Alessandri G, Milani C, Duranti S, Mancabelli L, Ranjanoro T, Modica S, Carnevali L, Statello R, Bottacini F, Turroni F, Ossiprandi MC, Sgoifo A, van Sinderen D, Ventura M. Ability of bifidobacteria to metabolize chitin-glucan and its impact on the gut microbiota. Sci Rep. 2019 Apr 8;9(1):5755. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-42257-z.
- 9Selenius, Otto & Korpela, Jaakko & Salminen, Seppo & Gómez-Gallego, Carlos. (2018). Effect of chitin and chitooligosaccharide on in vitro growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Escherichia coli TG. Applied Food Biotechnology. 5. 163-172. 10.22037/afb.v%vi%i.20468.
- 10Islam N, Hoque M, Taharat SF. Recent advances in extraction of chitin and chitosan. World J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2022 Nov 28;39(1):28. doi: 10.1007/s11274-022-03468-1.
- 11Pellis A, Guebitz GM, Nyanhongo GS. Chitosan: Sources, Processing and Modification Techniques. Gels. 2022 Jun 21;8(7):393. doi: 10.3390/gels8070393.