Abstract
A randomized, double-blind trial was carried out in 24 voluntary young wemen to compare the hypocholes terolemic effect of 1g chitosan added rice gruel with that of placebo for 3weeks. All subjects except placebo group ingested 1g of chitosandaily in addition to their ordinary diets. The serum total cholesterol value reduced in high cholesterol group ( > 181mg/dl), but in low cholesterol group ( < 180mg/dl) such phenomenon was not observed. It is understood that chitosan has a control function associated with hypocholesterolemic effet only in high cholesterol subjects, and this substance is considered to be safe in its application to dietary therapy.