Shark liver oil is rich in omega 3 fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins, but what gives shark liver oil its own specific abilities is its content of especially alkoglycerols (AKG), squalene, and squalamine.
Alkoglycerols are also present in humans, but only in small amounts. It can be found in breast milk and in the bone marrow, liver, and spleen. Alkoglycerols activate the immune system, increase the number of blood platelets and lymphocytes, promote wound healing, inhibit bacterial and fungal growth, mediate antiangiogenic effects (counteract the formation of new blood vessels), and protect the body against harmful radiation.
In our body, squalene is produced from cholesterol. It can be found particularly in the fatty tissue of the brain and in the skin. It has the effect of an antioxidant and protects the vitamin A that is present in our body. Small amounts of squalene can also be found in olive oil.
Squalamine has abilities that resemble those of squalene; research is being carried out as to its possible anticarcinogenic abilities.
As early as several hundred years ago, Scandinavian fishermen discovered the wound healing ability of shark liver oil. It can still be used in the treatment of wounds for slowly healing wounds and infections and for intestinal inflammation like colitis and Crohn's disease. It is said to have some analgesic effect. Furthermore, the oil can be used externally for dissolving earwax.
Dosage
Preventative and immunostimulatory: 1,000 - 2,000 mg. a day.
Therapeutically: 2,000 - 6,000 mg. a day.
(The dosages above apply when using preparations containing 20% active alkylglycerols)
Side effects
Taking large therapeutic doses for more than a month can increase the risk of blood platelet aggregation.
