Shark Cartilage
DESCRIPTION
The skeleton of sharks is almost entirely comprised of cartilage. Shark's fin, considered a delicacy in Asian countries, is consumed because of its purported ability to promote health, retard aging, and prevent disease. Shark cartilage is obtained from sharks caught for food purposes only.
INDICATIONS
Inflammatory and dermal disease: rheumatoid arthritis, hemorrhoids, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, puritanis ani, acute skin allergies, osteoarthritis, cancer, free radical exposure and damage.
PHYSIOLOGY
Sharks are known for their powerful immune systems. They are resistant to cancer, even when exposed to potent cancer causing chemicals. One agent which may be responsible for this incredible immunity is the presence in shark cartilage of an anti-angiogenesis substance, which inhibits the growth of new blood vessels. Cartilage is the tough elastic connective tissue found in and between the bones of mammals. The entire skeleton of sharks is made of cartilage. Many medical conditions and diseases such as arthritis, psoriasis, and cancer require blood supply and new blood vessels in order to continue. A protein substance was extracted from shark cartilage with anti-angiogenesis and anti-tumor effects. This ability to block the growth of new blood vessels could be a major breakthrough in the treatment of a variety of diseases.
BIOCHEMISTRY
Shark cartilage is rich in gycosaminoglycans, or mucopolysaccharides, large macromolecules which are found in all our joints, blood vessels and organs. In addition, shark cartilage is very low in fat content and thus does not require harsh organic solvent extractions to remove the fat, as does chondroitin sulfate.
TOXICITY, CAUTIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS
No known toxicity. Shark cartilage should not be taken by small children, pregnant or nursing women, or people who have recently had a heart attack or surgery, unless instructed by a physician. Some people may experience nausea when taking large doses.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
3000-5000 mg/day, away from food unless experiencing stomach upset.
SAMPLE ANALYSIS (different sources vary considerably)
| Description: | Shark Cartilage Powder | |
| Appearance | light ivory | |
| Odor | characteristic | |
| Form | free flowing powder | |
| Hyaluronic Acid | 1-1.5 % | |
| Chondroitin Sulfates | A, B & C | 1-1.5 % |
| Fat | 0.1-0.3 % | |
| Protein | 26 % | |
| Carbohydrate | 7.1-7.8 % | |
| Calcium | 13.0-17.0 % | |
| Phosphorus | 8.0-10.0 % | |
| Hexosamine | 7.95 % | |
| Hydroxyproline | 5.97 % | |
| Uronic solids | 10.19 % | |
| Total solids | 6.19 % | |
| pH (50%) | 6.0-6.5 | |
| Moisture | 7.5-8.5 % | |
| Loss on drying | 4.46 % | |
| Residue on Ignition | 3.90 % | |
| Nitrogen | 13-15.5 % | |
| Total solids | 95 % min | |
| Ash | 8-10 % max | |
| Heavy Metals | 20 ppm Max | |
| Arsenic | (2 ppm Max) | |
| Aerobic plate count | < 1000/gm | |
| Gram negative rods | negative | |
| Gram positive cocci | negative for Staph aureus |
ABSTRACTS
Cancer treatment
Liquid shark cartilage extract inhibits angiogenesis (the ability to make new blood vessels) of endothelial cells, according to this study conducted on 29 healthy male volunteers. Subjects received a placebo or one of two doses of shark cartilage extract, daily for 23 days. On Day 12, a polyvinyl alcohol sponge threaded in a perforated silicone tubing was inserted subcutaneously on the anterior side of the arm and removed on Day 23. The implant was then tested for endothelial cell density and hydroxyproline content. The mean endothelial cell density was significantly lower in subjects that had received the liquid cartilage extract. Hydroxyproline content did not differ among groups.
Berbari P, Thibodeau A, Germain L, Saint-Cyr M, Gaudreau P, Elkhouri S, Dupont E, Garrel DR: Antiangiogenic effects of the oral administration of liquid cartilage extract in humans, J Surg Res 1999 Nov;87(1):108-13
According to this study, shark cartilage (SC) may not be effective for patients with advanced-stage cancer. Sixty adult patients diagnosed with advanced stage cancer participated in this trial. Five patients ceased treatment due to gastrointestinal toxicity or intolerance to SC; 5 patients died during therapy, 10 were lost to follow-up or refusing further treatment, and progressive disease at 6 or 12 weeks occurred in 27 patients. The results of this study reveal that SC had no effect on cancer progression or quality of life.
Miller DR, Anderson GT, Stark JJ, Granick JL, Richardson D: Phase I/II trial of the safety and efficacy of shark cartilage in the treatment of advanced cancer, J Clin Oncol 1998 Nov; 16(11): 3649-55
Free radicals
This study indicates that shark cartilage may act as a scavenger for free radicals and protect cells against inactivation and mutagenesis. The study used electrophoretical assays, bacteria survival, the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay, and bacterial transformation to observe the effects of shark cartilage on mutagenesis. The results indicate that shark cartilage may protect against mutagenesis and cell inactivation by reducing free radicals.
Felzenszwalb I, Pelielo de Mattos JC, Bernardo-Filho M, Caldeira-de-Araujo A: Shark cartilage-containing preparation: protection against reactive oxygen species, Food Chem Toxicol 1998 Dec; 36(12): 1079-84
Inhibitory effects
U-995, purified from the cartilage of the blue shark (Prionace glauca), may exhibit anti-angiogenic effects by interfering with the proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs). U-995 may also inhibit tumor cell growth and metastasis. In a clinical study, U-995 suppressed HUVEC migration in mice. Also, with U-995, sarcoma-180 cell growth proliferation ceased. U-995 from the shark cartilage may have inhibitory effects on abnormal cell growth and metastasis.
Sheu JR, Fu CC, Tsai ML, Chung WJ: Effect of U-995, a potent shark cartilage-derived angiogenesis inhibitor, on anti-angiogenesis and anti-tumor activities, Anticancer Res 1998 Nov-Dec; 18(6A): 4435-41
SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES
Facts and Comparisons. The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. Sep, 1995.
Folkman, J. and Klagsbrun, M. (1987) Science 235:442-447.
Hunt, TJ & Connelly, JF: Shark cartilage for cancer treatment. Am. J. Health-System Pharm. 1995, 52:1,756.
Langer, R. and Lee, A. (1983) Science Sept. 16:1,185-1,187.
Moore, KS et al., Squalamine: an aminosterol antibiotic fom the shark. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1993, 90(4):1,354.
Neame, PJ et al., Primary structure of a protein isolated from reef shark (Carcharhinus springer) cartilage that is similar to the mammalian C-type lectin homolog, tetranetcin. Protein Sci. 1992, 1(1):161.
Weiss and Brown. (1988) Annals in Rheumatic Diseases. 47:881-885.
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