Shark Liver Oil

The human immune system is highly complex, exceedingly intelligent and redundant.
In contrast, the immune system of the shark is quite simple.

In humans, the bone marrow manufactures the components of the immune system whereas, in sharks there is no bone or marrow, therefore the shark's liver manufactures the components of its immune system. From studies and research conducted through the ages, the shark has lived to an advanced old age and retains its health throughout its lifetime.

In studies conducted at the Smithsonian Institution over the past twenty five years, only one malignant tumor was found in over 25,000 sharks. Sharks have demonstrated the ability to heal their wounds quickly. Extensive research on the nutritional value of alkylglycerols (also called alkoxylglycerols or AKGs), found in the shark's sizeable liver (one third of the shark's size and weight) exerts remarkable benefits to a variety of organs, glands and other internal parts. They help to nourish, maintain and defend the body against disease.

In humans, alkylglycerols are present in the milk of all lactating mothers and in bone marrow(16.7%). Mother's milk (breast milk) contains 33.8% of alkylglycerols, the same type found in shark liver oil, however the percentage of alkylglycerols in shark liver oil is 59.4%. Human newborns are incapable of developing antibodies (also called immunoglobulins), therefore they must rely on the antibodies that the mother has passed to them through the placenta to fight disease and infections. Babies who have a good supply of immunoglobulins are able to fight infections more effectively. This is the one reason doctors recommend breast-feeding; babies nursed at the breast thrive better than bottle-fed infants. It not only supplies important nutrients, but it also provides anti-infectious agents, such as alkylglycerols.

The two disease threats that face us every day are infections and oxidative (free-radical) stress. We use immune boosters and anti-inflammatory agents to offset these threats. Although we all know that it is easier to prevent disease than to cure it, very few of us seem to take that truths seriously.

^{Can Shark Liver Oil Help Humans?}

Alkylglycerols, are a group of three natural substances which are involved in the production and stimulation of white blood cells in bone marrow. Alkylglycerols are found in a variety of marine and freshwater fish; shellfish; cows; sheep; and, finally, in the breast milk of mammals. In fact, there are ten times more alkylglycerols in human breast milk than in the milk of cows, making breast milk the healthier choice for babies.

Alkylglycerols in the milk of any mother in any specie are the active substances which provide infants with natural protection and immunity against infection until the infant's own immune system is fully developed. The importance of breast milk in protecting infants from infection is recognized the world over. In short, few would dispute the antiviral and other long-term health benefits of alkylglycerols-rich breast milk.

ALKYLGLYCEROLS Helps Cancer Patients

More than seventy years of research, in New Zealand, Japan, and Europe, have yielded remarkable results. For example, scientists have found that giving cancer patients small dosages of alkylglycerols before, during, and after radiation treatment reduces the sharp and dangerous drop in white blood cells (leukopenia) which is a common side effect of the treatment.

Immune Strengthener

Alkylglycerols also have been shown to elevate the production a of white blood cells, called macrophages, which consume yeast and viruses. This result makes alkylglycerols effective as general strengtheners of the immune system.

When the human body is suffering from an infection, an allergic disease, or a tumor, its need of alkylglycerols is evidently greater than what can be provided by its own immune system. Under these circumstances, the intake of additional, or supplemental, alkylglycerols is important to achieve a more rapid recovery and to prevent further disease conditions.

As mentioned above our bone marrow manufactures the components of our immune system. Shark have neither bones nor marrow. Their liver manufactures the components of their immune system.

Each of us, with some rare exceptions, is born with an immune system that is divided into two parts: the innate immune system and the acquired immune system. The innate immune system is the body's first and principal line of defense against invasion from hostile, and even non-hostile, forces. It attacks everything and anything which it does not identify as belonging to one's particular physical body.

The acquired immune system is different in that it only functions when it recognizes specific intruder antigens (viruses, other microorganisms, cancer cells and other foreign substances). This recognition comes from previous experience.

When the immune system recognizes the invasion of a threatening alien substance, it mobilizes various types of white blood cells, some called macrophages and lymphocytes, as well as different chemical agents such as kinis. Some macrophages circumnavigate the body through the bloodstream, destroying germs where they find them. Other macrophages destroy germs within body tissue.

A third group of lymphocytes is called null cells. Null cells are the immune system's most aggressive cells, attacking even cancer cells. They are also called natural killer or NK cells.

Although it is a generally effective system, the human immune system is fallible. It can, for example, overreact to an unidentified, harmless substance attacking it and causing violent allergic symptoms. Conversely, it can under react to the presence of a true invading antigen and attack it less vigorously than it should. This is the case with the virus that is responsible for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The Human Immuno-deficiency Virus itself cripples the immune system and invades the cell.

What do these findings mean for the average person? That alkyglycerols, taken in the form of shark liver oil, a folk medicine now enjoying some long-deserved, serious attention, will improve the quality of life and ease the aging process. Shark liver oil, rich in alkylglycerols, acts as a natural booster of the body's immune system. Adding shark liver oil to the diet, as a food supplement, not a drug, helps increase general well-being, stave off common viruses and infections, and battle more serious diseases, thereby improving the quality of life overall.