Home Conditions & Treatments Pediatric Health Library Safety and Injury Prevention

Pediatric Health Library

Health Library Explorer
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Topic Index
Library Index
Click a letter to see a list of conditions beginning with that letter.
Click 'Topic Index' to return to the index for the current topic.
Click 'Library Index' to return to the listing of all topics.

Shark Cartilage

General description

Shark cartilage is made from powdered shark skeleton. Sharks have no true bone. Their skeletons are made of cartilage. Shark cartilage is white. It may have an unpleasant odor and taste.

It has been said to help prevent or treat cancer. But studies have had mixed results and have not been conclusive.

Ingredients in shark cartilage include:

  • Mucopolysaccharides

  • Calcium

  • Phosphorus

Medically valid uses

There is no evidence that shark cartilage helps any health condition.

Unproven claims

There may be benefits that have not yet been proven through research.

Studies are looking if shark cartilage stops new blood vessels from forming. Substances that do this are called angiogenesis inhibitors. This may help fight certain cancers by cutting off their blood supply. Studies are also being done to learn if angiogenesis inhibitors treat certain cancers. But most of these inhibitors are stronger than those in shark cartilage. They don’t come from shark cartilage. Even the newer, stronger substances have not clearly shown to work against cancer.

Shark cartilage may boost the immune system. It may help manage many diseases. These can include:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Skin issues, such as psoriasis

  • Retinopathies, such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration

  • Bowel inflammation

  • Kaposi sarcoma

  • Breast, cervix, uterus, ovary, prostate, kidney, liver, and central nervous system cancer

Dosing format

There is no current recommended dietary allowance for shark cartilage.

Shark cartilage comes in oral capsule and powder forms. It’s important to buy it from a high-quality manufacturer.

Side effects, toxicity, and interactions

Like all supplements, shark cartilage can interact with other medicines. These include antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and diabetes medicines. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking this supplement.

Pregnant and breastfeeding people should not take shark cartilage.

Shark cartilage might increase calcium levels. People who already have high calcium levels should stay away from using shark cartilage.

Shark cartilage might make the immune system more active. This could cause the symptoms of autoimmune diseases to increase. It's best to stay away from taking shark cartilage if you have an autoimmune condition.

Online Medical Reviewer: Brittany Poulson MDA RDN CD CDE
Online Medical Reviewer: Heather M Trevino BSN RNC
Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN
Date Last Reviewed: 8/1/2023
Powered by StayWell
Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.
About StayWell | Disclaimer | Terms of Use

Our web site is designed to provide general information to educate users about programs and services, which may be available through our hospitals. The web site is not intended to provide medical advice nor should the information be used to attempt to determine the presence, absence or severity of any illness or medical condition which may be perceived or experienced by the user of this site. If you have or suspect you may have an illness or condition which you believe requires medical attention, we recommend you call your primary care physician. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency please call "911" (or your local medical emergency number) or seek immediate care from the nearest hospital Emergency Department. The provision of information to users of this web site is not intended as an inducement or to otherwise influence a person's decision to order or receive any item or service from a particular provider, practitioner or supplier that is reimbursable under Medicare, a state healthcare program (e.g., AHCCS) or any other healthcare plan.

Physicians are members of the medical staff at each facility, but are independent contractors who are neither employees nor agents of Tenet Florida Coastal Division; and, as a result, Tenet Florida Coastal Division is not responsible for the actions of any of these physicians in their medical practices.