Shark Cartilage and Cancer Cure

On an average, a hundred million sharks are killed by humans every year. Among the major factors which contribute to this large-scale hunting of sharks, the two most prominent ones include its popularity as seafood and the alleged health benefits associated with the various organs of this fish. Of the alleged health benefits, the use of shark cartilage for cancer cure seems to be the most popular. Even though there is no scientific evidence to prove that the products made from shark cartilage help in curing cancer, hunting of sharks for their cartilages continues on a rampant scale.

Shark Cartilage and Cancer Cure

In several animals, including human beings, cartilage is a type of connective tissue which forms an important constituent of the skeletal system. In cartilaginous fish species, like the shark, the entire skeleton is made of this connective tissue. The major components of shark cartilage include proteoglycans, glycoproteins, protein and calcium salts. Even though bovine cartilage (the cartilage of cows) is also assumed to be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of ailments such as cancer and osteoarthritis, the fact that the entire skeleton of shark is made of cartilage makes this creature more vulnerable to human onslaught.

Sharks are hunted excessively for these cartilages, which were eventually crushed into fine powder and administered to patients through various methods. The belief this powder strengthens the immune system and kills cancerous cells in the body is based on the results of some studies which were carried out in 1970s and 80s. The use of shark cartilage for cancer treatment can be attributed to the myth that sharks are immune to this ailment. In the 1970s, a study revealed that the cartilage of shark contains a substance that blocks the formation of new blood vessels. Researchers believed that curbing the formation of new blood vessels would curb its eventual growth into a tumor, and thus help in cancer treatment. Though the studies carried out on animals yielded satisfactory results, the same in humans were disappointing. By then, the false claims pertaining to the effectiveness of shark cartilages for cancer treatment had spread considerably.

Can Shark Cartilage Powder Cure Cancer?

More recently, studies have revealed that sharks are also vulnerable to diseases like cancer and other parasitic infections - a fact that questions the credibility of all those studies which are often highlighted to show that shark cartilage powder is effective for the treatment of cancer. As of now several attempts have been made to prove it effectiveness, however none of the clinical trials have yielded any positive results as of now. A study published in the July 2005 issue of renowned journal 'Cancer' refuted these claims as mere myths. On the contrary, these products are known to result in side effects - ranging from mild to severe. At the end of the day, the use of alternative medicine, such as shark cartilage products, is not recommended for the treatment of life-threatening ailments, such as cancer, as there is no evidence to suggest that these claims really hold ground.

Even though there is no scientific evidence to support the alleged link between shark cartilage and cancer cure, statistical data reveals that the multi-million dollar shark hunting industry is virtually dependent on over-the-counter shark cartilage products. This large-scale hunting of sharks as a food source and for the alleged medical benefits has left this species severely endangered. The failure of the administration to curb illegal hunting cannot be denied, but people who buy these products are also responsible for the decline in shark population - owing to which the list of endangered sharks continues to grow today.