This post is for the hardcore medicinal mushroom nerds out there. What I am about to tell you will shift the very foundation of conventional wisdom about functional mushrooms.
It is also a perfect example of how science is a self correcting system. What is true today, may not be true tomorrow.
For years, the scientific and nutritional communities have labeled chitin as indigestible. Chitin (kye-TIN) polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects, and fungi. I heard it from all my medicinal mushroom mentors and it was repeated by all the functional mushroom extract companies. Every mycologist worth their mycelium said “cook your mushrooms, if you want to digest them.” One exception being that the insoluble fiber was the best possible pre biotic fiber you can ingest. It's just very hard to digest.
Chitin, composed of long chains of N-acetylglucosamine, was considered indigestible due to the absence of necessary enzymes in the human digestive system. We have known about acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) for a long while now but didn't really understand it. As is often the case! AMCase has unveiled its potential role in combating obesity and improving metabolic processes. In other words, it can help make you skinny.
This enzyme is found in the human stomach and saliva, acts under acidic conditions, cleaving the chitin polymers into smaller, manageable molecules. This process is called “Lipolysis” , great word!
When mammals eat chitin their GI tract engages the immune system!
“Feeding mice a diet containing chitin caused their stomachs to expand. This triggered an immune response in the stomach and small intestine. Certain immune cells proliferated, and the signaling molecules produced by these cells increased. Similar immune cell and signaling responses also occurred in fat tissue. Of note, chitin induced these same responses in germ-free mice, which lacked gut microbes. This shows that the immune responses to dietary chitin didn’t depend on these microbes.”
A new study from 2023 called: A type 2 immune circuit in the stomach controls mammalian adaptation to dietary chitin” changed our understanding and affirmed that fungi continue to surprise and delight us.
The same study shows that chitin-derived products, when broken down by AMCase, can significantly impact lipid metabolism. In other words: chitin has a big role in weight management and metabolic health. This effect is primarily due to the fiber-like properties of chitin. As a dietary fiber, chitin contributes to satiety, the feeling of fullness, which can lead to reduced calorie intake. The metabolites of chitin have been found to interact with lipid metabolism pathways, potentially reducing fat absorption and storage.
Chitin's role in gut health cannot be overlooked. As it is broken down, it supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, contributing to a healthier gut microbiome. A robust and balanced gut microbiome is essential for efficient metabolism and has been linked to a reduced risk of obesity.
The implications of these findings are vast, especially in a world grappling with rising obesity rates and metabolic disorders. Integrating chitin into the diet could provide a natural, effective way to manage weight and metabolic health. However, it's important to approach this with a balanced perspective. Chitin should be seen as a complement to a healthy diet and lifestyle, not a standalone solution.
The environmental impact of harnessing chitin is notably positive. Chitin is abundantly available as a by-product of the seafood industry and from insect farming and of course MUSHROOMS! Which are most often grown on waste materials from other industries. Utilizing this otherwise discarded material not only provides health benefits but also aligns with eco-friendly practices, reducing waste and promoting sustainable resource use.
The transition of chitin from an indigestible substance to a potential ally in fighting obesity and enhancing metabolic processes marks a significant shift in nutritional science. As we delve deeper into the benefits of chitin and its metabolites, it is vital to approach this emerging field with thorough research and a holistic perspective on diet and health.
Future research should focus on optimizing chitin consumption for maximal health benefits, understanding its long-term impacts, and exploring its role in various metabolic pathways. But I'm just going to eat more mushrooms, which will be hard because I already eat a lot of mushrooms!
To me, chitin represents a convergence of health, sustainability, and innovation. It's a shining example of how revisiting and reevaluating our understanding of natural compounds can lead to breakthroughs with far-reaching impacts on health and the environment.
This whole chitin story serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of science and nutrition. What was once dismissed as indigestible is now on the cusp of becoming a key component in the fight against some of the most pressing health challenges of our time. The story of chitin is a testament to the power of scientific inquiry, innovation, and the endless possibilities that lie in the natural world around us.
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