Shark cartilage
Scientific names: Squalus acanthias, Sphyrna lewini
Alternative names: AE-941, Cartilage de Requin, Cartilage de Requin du Pacifique, Cartilago de Tiburon, Collagène Marin, Extrait de Cartilage de Requin, Liquide de Cartilage Marin, Marine Collagen, Marine Liquid Cartilage, MSI-1256F, Neovastat, Pacific Shark Cartilage, Poudre de Cartilage de Requin, Shark Cartilage Extract, Shark Cartilage Powder
Actions: Antiangiogenic, Antiarthritic, Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Fibrinolytic, Immune stimulation, Media supplement
Background
Shark cartilage is the tissue that provides support for fins in sharks (Squalus acanthias). It mainly comes from sharks caught in the Pacific Ocean.
Shark cartilage became a popular medicine in the 1970s. But its popularity led to a decline in shark numbers. It was previously suggested that sharks don't get cancer, so consuming their cartilage might help prevent cancer in humans. But it is now clear that sharks do get cancer, and research hasn't shown benefits for cancer in humans.
People use shark cartilage for cancer, scaly itchy skin (psoriasis), osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence supporting these uses.
Don't confuse shark cartilage with bovine cartilage, or with chondroitin, which can be sourced from shark cartilage.
Shark cartilage became a popular medicine in the 1970s. But its popularity led to a decline in shark numbers. It was previously suggested that sharks don't get cancer, so consuming their cartilage might help prevent cancer in humans. But it is now clear that sharks do get cancer, and research hasn't shown benefits for cancer in humans.
People use shark cartilage for cancer, scaly itchy skin (psoriasis), osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence supporting these uses.
Don't confuse shark cartilage with bovine cartilage, or with chondroitin, which can be sourced from shark cartilage.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Shark cartilage is possibly safe when used for up to 40 months. It can cause a bad taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, and constipation.
When applied to the skin: Shark cartilage is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks.
"Autoimmune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Shark cartilage might cause the immune system to become more active. This could increase the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using shark cartilage.
High calcium levels (hypercalcemia): Shark cartilage contains calcium and might increase calcium levels. Do not use shark cartilage if you already have high calcium levels.
When applied to the skin: Shark cartilage is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if shark cartilage is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use."Autoimmune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Shark cartilage might cause the immune system to become more active. This could increase the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using shark cartilage.
High calcium levels (hypercalcemia): Shark cartilage contains calcium and might increase calcium levels. Do not use shark cartilage if you already have high calcium levels.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Cancer. Taking shark cartilage by mouth does not benefit people with advanced, previously treated cancers, including breast, colon, lung, prostate, and brain cancer.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of shark cartilage might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Shark cartilage can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking shark cartilage along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Calcium: Shark cartilage contains calcium and might raise calcium levels. Using it along with calcium supplements might make calcium levels too high.
Interactions with foods
Acidic fruit juices such as orange, apple, grape, or tomato, can lower the strength of shark cartilage. If shark cartilage is added to a fruit juice to improve flavor, it should be consumed right away.
Products
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Per 10 g:
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Per 1.6 g:
- 2'-Fucosyllactose 1.2 g equiv. lactose 27 mg
- Cholecalciferol 10 μg equiv. vitamin D3 400 IU
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$52.00
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Per 10 g (Berry):
- Acacia sp. (gum) 2.5 g
- Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Guar gum) 2 g
- Green banana starch 1.5 g
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (boulardii) (SB) 5 billion CFU equiv. inactive (zinc powder) 24 mg
- L-glutamine 1.9 g
- Althaea officinalis ext. 500 mg
- Cinnamon zeylanicum powder 400 mg
- Protease
- Amylase enzyme
- Lipase
- Cellulase
- Lactase
- Berry flavour
- Bacillus coagulans 2 billion CFU
- Aloe barbadensis ext. 100 mg
- Punica granatum ext. 100 mg
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Malpighia glabra powder 50 mg
- Stevia rebaubiana powder 50 mg
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot) 33 mg
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Per tablet (Berry):
- Cholecalciferol 6.25 µg equiv. vitamin D3 250 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopherol 5 mg equiv. vitamin E 7.5 IU
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 100 µg
- Zinc citrate 18.30 mg equiv. zinc 6.25 mg
- Calcium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 18.15 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 15 mg
- Phyllanthus emblica ext. 5 mg
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2) 20 µg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 794 µg equiv. thiamine 625 µg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 855 µg equiv. riboflavin 625 µg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 6.25 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 2.98 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 2.5 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 1.01 mg equiv. pyridoxine 625 µg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 370.37 µg equiv. levomefolic acid 200 µg
- Ferric pyrophosphate 5 mg
- Chromium picolinate 80.45 µg equiv. chromium 10 µg
- Copper sulfate pentahydrate 392.8 µg equiv. copper 100 µg
- Manganese gluconate 10.97 mg equiv. manganese 1.25 mg
- Selenomethionine 62.09 µg equiv. selenium 25 µg
- Borax 3.29 mg equiv. boron 375 µg
- Lutein 500 µg
- Lycopene 500 µg
- Lysine hydrochloride 3.12 mg equiv. lysine 2.5 mg
- Ascophyllum nodosum 9.34 mg
- Magnesium 6.25 mg
- Magnesium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 7.07 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 5 mg
- Calcified lithothamnion (Red algae) 13.22 mg equiv. calcium 4.17 mg
- Calcium ascorbate equiv. calcium 1.83 mg
- Calcium pantothenate equiv. calcium 0.25 mg
- Cruciferous vegetable blend 20 mg
- Ultra fruit blend 20 mg
- Live vegetable blend 20 mg
- Multi herb blend 20 mg
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Per capsule:
- Equisetum arvense ext. 150 mg
- Crateva magna ext. 120 mg
- Lindera strychnifolia ext. 150 mg
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Per 5 g (Unflavoured):
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Per capsule:
- Zinc amino acid chelate 12.5 mg equiv. zinc 2.5 mg
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (low-alpha type) (Vitamin E) 3.9 mg
- Calcium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 7.5 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 6.18 mg
- Cholecalciferol 6.25 μg equiv. vitamin D3 248 IU
- Retinyl acetate (Vitamin A) 32.96 μg equiv. retinol equivalents 33 μg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 12.5 μg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica powder 362.5 mg
- Chromium chloride hexahydrate 515 μg equiv. chromium 100 μg
- Selenomethionine 15.625 μg equiv. selenium 6.25 μg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 12.5 mg equiv. manganese 1.25 mg
- Borax 250 μg equiv. boron 28.4 μg
- Molybdenum trioxide 14.92 μg equiv. molybdenum 10 μg
- Potassium iodide (Iodine) 32.7 μg equiv. iodine 25 μg equiv. potassium 7.7 μg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 10.92 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 10 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 10 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 6.58 mg equiv. riboflavin 5 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 7.08 mg equiv. thiamine 5.57 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 54.3 μg equiv. folinic acid 50 μg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 54.2 μg equiv. levomefolic acid 50 μg
- Biotin 10 μg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) 3.13 mg equiv. pyridoxine 2 mg
- Cucumis melo ext. 831 μg
- Copper gluconate 2.14 mg equiv. copper 300 μg
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Per 5.5 g serve (Lemon Lime):
- Magnesium citrate 560.03 mg equiv. magnesium 90.50 mg
- Magnesium bisglycinate 621.79 mg equiv. magnesium 72.50 mg
- Magnesium amino acid chelate 935.00 mg equiv. magnesium 187.00 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 36.47 mg equiv. pyridoxine 30.00 mg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 40.00 mg equiv. zinc 8.00 mg
- Taurine 1.00 g
- Potassium citrate 154.87 mg equiv. potassium 56.00 mg
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Per capsule:
- Amylase enzyme 3500 DUAA
- Protease 10000 HUT
- Tilactase 250 ALU
- Lipase 40 LipU
- Cellulase 44 CU
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Per 10 g (Coconut & Lemon Myrtle):
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This monograph was last reviewed on 24/03/2025 11:00:00 and last updated on 16/09/2014 21:29:37. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
