Shark Cartilage
Shark cartilage is a dietary supplement that is often taken for its purported health benefits. The cartilage is harvested from sharks and is then typically dried and ground into a powder, which can be made into capsules or tablets, or mixed with liquids.
The main components of shark cartilage are proteins, carbohydrates (especially chondroitin sulfate), calcium, and collagen. It has been marketed as a remedy for various health issues based on its high content of these substances.
One of the main benefits often associated with shark cartilage is its potential effect on joint health. Chondroitin sulfate, a key component of cartilage, is believed to help maintain structural integrity of joints and blood vessels.
Some people also take shark cartilage in the hope that it can support cancer treatment. The theory behind this stems from the idea that the compounds in shark cartilage might inhibit the growth of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. By inhibiting angiogenesis, it is hoped that the growth of cancerous tumors could be slowed. However, research on this topic has yielded mixed results and there’s not enough evidence to recommend shark cartilage as a cancer treatment.
A study conducted by Mercer University found that shark cartilage could help with cancer and arthritis. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings. Another study published by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) states that shark cartilage has been studied as a treatment for people with cancer and other medical conditions for more than 30 years. Laboratory and animal studies have looked at whether bovine and shark cartilage products can kill cancer cells, make the immune system more active against cancer, and prevent the body from making the new blood vessels that a tumor needs to grow. However, the study also states that there is no scientific evidence to support the use of shark cartilage as a treatment for cancer or any other health condition. One study published on NCBI found that shark cartilage extract could increase glucantime activity but decrease artemisinin activity in treating visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice.
The recommended dosage for shark cartilage varies depending on the manufacturer, but a typical dosage is 750-1,500 mg per day. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before taking shark cartilage. Potential side effects of shark cartilage include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. It may also interact with certain medications, so it is important to consult a healthcare professional before taking shark cartilage.
Sources:
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contentid=SharkCartilage&contenttypeid=19
- https://seapet.com/health-benefits/mercer-university-study-on-shark-cartilage/
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/cartilage-pdq
- https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/survivorship/complementary-therapies/shark-cartilage/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6396994/
