Shark Cartilage Benefits, Shark Cartilage Side Effects,
Shark Cartilage Uses, cancer and arthritis ZHION.COM July 2011
SHARK CARTILAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Shark cartilage side effects - hypercalcemia
Shark cartilage pills or supplements are not perceived as medications and are presumed to be safe, who may
however be at risk for hypercalcemia. Lagman R and Walsh D. reported eight cases of hypercalcemia in cancer
patients at Cleveland Clinic Foundation in whom these shark cartilage supplements may have contributed to the
prevalence or severity of hypercalcemia. Dangerous nutrition? Calcium, vitamin D, and shark cartilage nutritional
supplements and cancer-related hypercalcemia. Support Care Cancer. 2003 Apr;11(4):232-5.Epub 2003 Jan 15.

Shark cartilage side effects - heavy metal
Korean FDA pointed out that calcium supplements made of shark cartilage had the highest means of mercury and
cadmium. The mean daily intakes of mercury and cadmium from these shark cartilage supplement were estimated
in the range of 0.1-0.2 microg, however, which were still below the 0.4% of provisional tolerable daily
intakes.Mercury, cadmium and arsenic contents of calcium dietary supplements. Food Addit Contam. 2004
Aug;21(8):763-7.

This might not be a complete list about the product side effects. If you notice any side effects of the product,
please contact your doctor or the manufacturer immediately. You should be able to find the contact information
from the product label, and explain what side effect you have to the manufacturer. In the US you may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - you may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

SHARK CARTILAGE's COMPONENTS
Shark cartilage is made up of mainly collagen, amino acids, minerals and glycosaminoglycan.

Shark cartilage contains over 40% pure collagen protein, plus essential and non essential amino acids. Collagen
and Amino Acids are necessary for elasticity of the tissues, healing of cracked skin, torn ligaments and tendons
and growth and rejuvenation of skin and connective tissues. It is also a good source of minerals-calcium,
phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron and chromium, manganese and silica. These components are
essential for the maintenance and normal function of cells, muscles, bones and joints. Glycosaminoglycans attract
and retain moisture to resist compression and deliver nutrients to cells that need it. They are also important
building blocks for joint cartilage components, shock absorbing properties and replenishment of joint fluid lubricant.

SHARK CARTILAGE ARTHRITIS AND SHARK CARTILAGE CANCER
Angiogenesis is an important feature for tumor growth. In the past, cartilage has been shown to be a natural
source of material with strong antiangiogenic activities. And, some manufacturers suggest that shark cartilage can
be used to treat diseases like osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis as well as eczema.

Imada K, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, found that chondroitin sulfate from shark cartilage is
able to modulate the function of synovial fibroblasts as well as that of chondrocytes, and chondroitin sulfate is very
likely to be  multifunctional chondroprotective material for degenerative arthritis. [Biol Pharm Bull.
2010;33(3):410-4.]

SHARK CARTILAGE BENEFITS- ANTI-MUTAGENESIS EFFECT
Felzenszwalb et al used electrophoretical assays, bacteria survival and transformation to prove that shark cartilage
could protect cells against reactive oxygen species induced DNA damage and mutagenesis.
[Shark cartilage-containing preparation: protection against reactive oxygen species, Felzenszwalb et al,
Universidade do Estado do, Brazil, Food Chem Toxicol. 1998 Dec;36(12):1079-84.]

Kern et al at Harvard Medical School used various methods such as light microscopy, flow cytometry to identifythat
the active region of troponin I (in shark cartilage) was the molecule responsible for its antiangiogenic effect.
[Reference Troponin I peptide (Glu94-Leu123), a cartilage-derived angiogenesis inhibitor; in vitro and in vivo
effects on human endothelial cells and on pancreatic cancer. Kern et al, Harvard Medical School, USA, J
Gastrointest Surg. 2003 Dec;7(8):961-8; discussion 969.]

In a study of infiltration of CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) lymphocytes into a murine tumor model, Feyzi et al found that a
protein fraction of shark cartilage had anti-angiogenic effects. This protein faction could also augment cellular
immune response and T-cell infilration into the tumor. [Reference Modulation of CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) tumor
infiltrating lymphocytes by a fraction isolated from shark cartilage: shark cartilage modulates anti-tumor immunity.
Feyzi et al, Tarbiat Modares University, Iran, Inti Immunopharmacol. 2003 Jul;3(7):921-6.

Shen et al purified SCAIF-I, an inhibitor of angiogenesis, with molecular weight of 18 kD, from shark cartilage and
they supproessed 87.93% of the growth of Lewis lung carcinoma implanted in C57BL/6 mice. Reference
Purification and Functional Characterization of a Shark Cartilage Factor Inhibitory to Angiogenesis, Shen et al,
Naval Medical Research Institute, China, Sheng Wu Hua Xue Yu Sheng Wu Wu Li Xue Bao (Shanghai).
2000;32(1):43-48.] Similar Research- Reference SCAIF80, a Novel Inhibitor of Angiogenesis, and Its Effect on
Tumor Growth. Shen et al, Fudan University, China, Sheng Wu Hua Xue Yu Sheng Wu Wu Li Xue Bao (Shanghai).
2001;33(1):99-104.

SHARK CARTILAGE BENEFITS - ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT
Fontenele et al extracted a wate-soluble fraction (WSF) with 0.1 M ammonium bicarbonate, pH 8.0 from shark
cartilage. They found that oral administration of WSF caused 25.7% inhibition of the paw edema produced in
female Wistar rats (200-250g) by carrageenan. They also ran some other tests and concluded that a protein
molecule in shark cartilage is probably responsible for the anti-inflammatory / analgesic activities.
[Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of a water-soluble fraction from shark cartilage. Fontenele JB et al,
Universidade do Estado do, Brazil, Braz J Med Biol Res. 1996 May;29(5):643-6.]

SHARK CARTILAGE BENEFITS - PSORIASIS
Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease associated with dilation of capillaries. In advanced conditions,
lesions develop. Cartilage is an "avascular tissue", it was thought that cartilage contained factors to inhibit blood
vessel formation. Dupont and his group extracted the active agent (termed AE-941) from shark cartilage and test
its antiangiogenesis activity using the embryonic vascularization test. The result suggested that topical AE-941
(Neovostat trade mark; AEterna) had a beneficial effect in psoriasis.
[Antiangiogenic properties of a novel shark cartilage extract: potential role in the treatment of psoriasis. Dupont et
al, Les Laboratoires Aeterna, Canada, J. Cutan Med Surg. 1998 Jan:2(3):146-52; AE-941, a multifunctional
antiangiogenic compound: trials in renal cell carcinoma. Bukowshi RM, The Cleveland Clinic Raussig Cancer
Center, USA, Expert Opin Investig Drugs: 2003 Aug;12(8):1403-11. The antiangiogenic agent Neovastat (AE-941)
induces endothelial cell apoptosis.Boivin D et al, Loboratoire de medecine moleculaire, Hopital
Ste-Justine-Universite du Quebec a Montreal, Canada, Mol Cancer Ther. 2002Aug;1(10):795-802.]

WARNINGS

(1) Children, (2) people who have had a recent heart attack, surgery or major operation, (3) women who are
pregnant or breast feeding (4) Body builders or athletes who are attempting to build large muscles should not use
cartilage. New blood vessel formation is critical for them.

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM)'s SUMMARY ON THE USE OF CARTILAGE

Bovine (cow) cartilage and shark cartilage have been studied as treatments for cancer and other medical
conditions for more than 30 years.

Three principal mechanisms of action have been proposed to explain the antitumor potential of cartilage: 1) it kills
cancer cells directly; 2) it stimulates the immune system; and 3) it blocks the formation of new blood vessels
(angiogenesis), which tumors need for unrestricted growth.

At least 3 different inhibitors of angiogenesis have been identified in bovine cartilage, and 2 angiogenesis
inhibitors have been purified from shark cartilage.
Shark Cartilage benefits
THIS WEBSITE TALKS ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS. However, the information in this
website is for reference only. Please, discuss with your doctor before taking any medicine or supplement. All rights reserved 2011.
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Herbal / Dietary Supplements / Foods that may lower the risk of certain types of cancer: Avocados
Banana, Bitter Melon, Brown Seaweed, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Celery, Chlorophyll, Cordyceps, Curcumin,
Dandelion, Ellagic acid, Oldenlandia, Falcarinol, Fenugreek, Feverfew, Fish Oil, Forskolin, Galangal, Garlic,
Gotu Kola, Green Tea, Grape Seed Extract, Honokiol, Orange, Isothiocyanates, Linseed Oil, Limes, Lycopene,
Maitake, Milk Thistle, Onion, Peony, Phellinus, Quercetin, Pterostibene, Pycnogenol, Reishi, Rhubarb, Saffron,
Stinging Nettle, Sweet Potatoes, and more.

Drugs listed in this website for chemotherapy:
Xeloda, Avastin, Herceptin,  Tykerb,