For centuries, fishermen from Japan, Micronesia, Scandinavia and Spain have used shark liver oil to treat wounds, to help with respiratory problems, to ward off colds and flu and to bring about general well being. Their experience has been confirmed by 20th century research.

Early studies in Japan into shark liver oil revealed that it contained a high quantity of unsaturated hydrocarbons. This was named squalene from the Squalidae species of deep sea sharks. Further work on the chemical nature of squalene in Switzerland in the 1930s showed that oxygen was released following the capture of hydrogen molecules present in water. In the 1950s the importance of alkoxyglycerols in human milk for building up the immune system were examined and this substance was later found in shark liver oil in very high concentrations compared to milk. In the 1990s, scientists at John Hopkins University in the USA discovered a further ingredient of shark liver oil, squalamine, which was found to be effective against many yeast, fungal and bacterial infections. Its effect on tumours has also been the subject of research.

key benefits

Used as a food supplement as part of a balanced diet, improvements in the following areas have been reported:

• Easing of joint pain
• Improved lung and breathing functions
• Strengthening against colds and flu
• Healthy maintenance of skin
• Potentiator of chemotherapeutic agents
• Reduces cholesterol
• Bactericidal agent
• Wound healing, helps prevent scarring
• Increases energy by supplying cells with oxygen
• Strengthens the immune system
• Antioxidant - functions as part of the detoxifying systems which protect the body from harmful substances