Shark Cartilage
| There are no products to list in this category. |
|---|
|
)
)
)
What is Shark Cartilage?
Shark cartilage, as the name implies, is cartilage taken from the skeletal structure of sharks mostly from spiny dogfish sharks and hammerhead sharks and made into a powder as a food or dietary supplement. It is composed of 40% proteins, 5-20% glycosaminoglycans, and calcium salts. Although it's exact mechanism of action is not know, three principle mechanisms of action have been proposed to explain the anti--tumor potential of cartilage. It works by killing cancer cells directly, stimulating and strengthening the immune system, and blocking the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), which tumors need for growth. The majority of the research has focused on the anti-angiogenesis effects of shark cartilage and for that reason, to date, there is only limited evidence for the first two mechanisms of action. The reported ability of shark cartilage to inhibit angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels) is hypothesized to be beneficial in halting the growth and spread of cancer.Cartilage, derived from shark sources, is a type of connective tissue comprised of mucopolysaccharides, protein substances, calcium, sulfur, and collagen. Early research in the 1950s and 1960s, using chips of cartilage inserted into wounds, demonstrated that cartilage enhances wound healing. Since then, cartilage has been investigated for its potential role in regulating immune function and stopping the growth of tumors.
Shark cartilage contains a protein that has some ability to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels within tumors in sharks. Shark cartilage therapy is based on the theory that capsules containing shark cartilage will do the same in humans — stop and shrink cancerous tumors. However, these benefits haven't been shown in humans. According to I. William Lane, author of "Sharks Don't Get Cancer" and a leading proponent of shark cartilage as an effective cancer treatment, ingestion of shark cartilage inhibits angiogenesis. In lay terms, what this means is that cartilage apparently reduces the creation of a network of blood vessels around a tumor, and therefore prevents it from growing or spreading.
Two proteins have been identified that are angiogenesis inhibitors, SCF2 and U-995. U-995 has been reported to inhibit endothelial proliferation, endothelial cell migration, and matrix metalloproteinase activity in vitro. It does not seem to inhibit the proliferation of other types of cells, such as cancer cells. SCF2 is a glycosaminoglycan whose principle glycosamine is keratan sulfate. It has been shown to block endothelial cell proliferation in vitro, to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels in the chorioallantoic membrane of chicken embryos, and to also inhibit the tumor-induced angiogenesis in the cornea of rabbits. Neovastat (AE-941), the aqueous extract of shark cartilage, has been found to posses similar qualities. It is not known whether Neovastat derives these properties from one of the two above mentioned angiogenesis inhibitor proteins, or whether other yet unidentified, but active proteins are responsible. It is now in phase III clinical trials to try to determine its exact anticancer activity. These findings have all been published in peer-reviewed, scientific literature.
What is Shark Cartilage used for and who uses it?
Shark Cartilage has become a very popular nutritional supplement in recent years and has been touted for its health and disease prevention benefits, although clinical studies and scientific validation for its popularity is considered lacking by most researchers and health professionals. If these remarkable claims were even half true Shark Cartilage would be an almost miraculous nutritional supplement, and even if these claims are not yet substantiated by numerous studies Shark Cartilage is known to be high in Collagen, Calcium and Glycosaminoglycans which are nutritionally helpful in promoting bone, joint and connective tissue health.In 1983, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published a study showing that shark cartilage has the ability to inhibit blood vessel growth (angiogenesis). The public interest in shark cartilage grew when Dr. I. Williiam Lane published his book, Sharks Don't Get Cancer -- How Shark Cartilage Could Save Your Life. Dr. Lane discusses how inhibition of angiogenesis can halt tumor growth and prevent cancer metastasis. His extensive research of shark cartilage has led him to conclusion that shark cartilage can inhibit angiogenesis and is, therefore, effective against cancer, as well as other conditions, such as arthritis, psoriasis and enteritis. His most well known work was conducted in Cuba and consisted of giving shark cartilage to 29 nonresponsive terminal cancer patients. This work was extensively covered by 60 Minutes' Mike Wallace. The airing of this 60 Minutes edition marked the start of the shark cartilage "craze."
Currently, there are more than 40 different brand names of shark cartilage available to consumers. Because dietary supplements are regulated as foods, rather than drugs, the FDA does not evaluate these various brands of shark cartilage. The FDA has recognized the potential benefit of shark cartilage. To conduct clinical drug research, investigators must first file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA. The IND status has been granted to at least 4 groups of investigators who are studying shark cartilage as a cancer treatment.
How pure is your Shark Cartilage?
This food grade Shark Cartilage Powder is assayed by the manufacturer to be 25.76% protein and 20.96% calcium. You will receive a sealed and labeled heavy duty 4 mil polyethylene bag containing a high purity bulk quantity of this product. An increasing amount of research is now focused on the role of shark cartilage and its effects on cancer tumors, since within the cartilage material, there are specific protein substances which inhibit tumor growth and development. Shark cartilage has also been recommended as useful against arthritis, psoriasis, osteoporosis and an eye condition known as macular degeneration. Due to the fact that our product is pharmaceutical grade, these are best utilized by the body, since they do not require digestion and are easily absorbed. Our product does not contain any fillers, additives or anti-caking agents. If all you want are the health benefits made possible with Shark Cartilage, buying this product in bulk is the best way to get there. Buying in bulk is also your best bet for saving money because for sure you’ll pay more at a local nutrition store. Bulk costs are cheaper in the long run and you will receive a great deal at or below wholesale prices for a high purity bulk quantity of this product.What is the daily suggested dose of Shark Cartilage?
The use of shark cartilage as a dietary supplement is increasing world-wide since it has a high level of clinical safety and efficacy in the treatment of chronic and acute inflammatory conditions, and can be easily added into the diet as a powder or in capsule form. The commonly recommended dose for Shark Cartilage varies between 500 milligrams (500mg) and up to as much as 2 grams per day, depending upon individual needs, taken with water with or after meals (although very much higher levels have been used with success and absence of side-effects under controlled conditions by qualified clinicians). Take one level 1/2 (approximately 1.8 grams or 1829 milligrams) Shark Cartilage with 8 to 12 fluid ounces water once or twice per day. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for Shark Cartilage here.Interactions, Precautions, and Potential side effects of Shark Cartilage
Shark cartilage has a high level of calcium. Using shark cartilage with a calcium supplement will increase the likelihood of hypercalcemia. Although shark cartilage is not toxic, and can be taken together with any other cancer treatment, there are some conditions such as heart attack or stroke and during pregnancy, where it’s ability to prevent the development of new blood vessels and increase blood supply is contraindicated. Shark Cartilage should not be administered to children, or used during pregnancy or lactation without specific medical advice.Taste, solubility, and suggested preparation of Shark Cartilage
Shark Cartilage powder when dissolved or mixed with water has a somewhat salty and fishy taste, but not bad tasting. Taking anywhere between 500mg and 2 grams with water is recommended, preferably after a meal. There are no significant side effects associated with using shark cartilage. However, lactating or pregnant women should not take it.Shark Cartilage is used in the following Proprietary Formulas
Brand names for shark cartilage include Carticin, Cartilade and BeneFin. Some people use these as an alternative cancer therapy. Other products with Shark Cartilage include NOW Shark Cartilage, Olympian Labs Shark Cartilage, Eclipse 2000 Joint Relief Stack, Higher Power Relieve With MSM, MDR Chondro-Pro, Metabolic Diet InsideOut, Metabolic Diet Joint Support, NuCare PowerFlex, Olympian Labs Fibro-X, Olympian Labs Glucosalage SO4, SciFit Joint Enhance + MSM, Universal Hard Fast, Universal Jointment SportReferences & Further Research
Evaluation of shark cartilage in patients with advanced cancer: a North Central Cancer Treatment Group trialShark cartilage has been a popular complementary or alternative medicine intervention. The basis for this popularity is the claim that sharks rarely get cancer because of the high proportion of cartilage in the shark's body. However, early studies were equivocal. Therefore, a clinical trial was conducted to look at the impact of shark cartilage in patients with advanced cancer. The primary goal of this trial was to determine whether a shark cartilage product improved overall survival for patients with advanced cancer who were getting standard care. Secondary research goals were to evaluate toxicities, tolerability, and quality of life associated with this shark cartilage product.
Effect of U-995, a potent shark cartilage-derived angiogenesis inhibitor, on anti-angiogenesis and anti-tumor activities
A potent angiogenesis inhibitor, U-995, has been purified from the cartilage of the blue shark (Prionace glauca). U-995 was designed to study human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration and proliferation in vitro and angiogenesis induced by TNF alpha in chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Furthermore, we determined the ability of U-995 to inhibiting tumor cell growth and metastasis. U-995 (15 and 30 micrograms/ml) markedly inhibited HUVEC migration and, at 15-50 micrograms/ml produced a dose-dependent decline in [3H]-thymidine incorporation. 30 and 50 micrograms/ml of U-995, when added to TNF alpha-induced angiogenesis caused discontinuous and disrupted blood vessels. Moreover, U-995 (30 micrograms/ml) markedly prevented collagenase-induced collagenolysis. These results suggest that the anti-angiogenic effects of U-995 may be be due to interference with the proliferation and migration of HUVECs as well as inhibition of collagenolysis, thereby leading to inhibition of both angiogenesis and tumor cell growth.