Shark Cartilage

Shark cartilage supplements gained recognition in the 1990s after a popular book promoted the theory that sharks don’t get cancer. Some people promoted that the cartilage was therefore an anti-cancer treatment. That theory has since been disproven but shark cartilage may still offer other benefits. It has been in use for several decades after scientists began studying its potential benefits in 1954.

Shark cartilage contains mucopolysaccharids, a gel-like carbohydrate. Mucopolysaccharids are a source of chondroitin sulfate and posses anti-inflammatory properties. Clinical studies in the laboratory and with animals indicate shark cartilage may provide relief from the inflammation that comes with arthritis as well as stimulate the immune system.

Shark cartilage also appears to provide some benefit to sufferers of psoriasis which is an inflammation of the skin. Cartilage contains glucosamine and Chondroitin. These two substances have proven to be helpful for relief of symptoms and side effects of osteoarthritis. This includes a reduction of pain and swelling and an increase in range of motion. Shark cartilage was promoted heavily as an anti-cancer agent but clinical research is inconclusive according to the National Cancer Institute. While it appears that shark cartilage can inhibit the growth of blood vessels in tumors (necessary for growth), more research is needed to understand how this mechanism may work and whether or not sufficient benefit can be gotten from shark cartilage. Additional clinical studies are currently underway.