Shark liver oil

[5][6] It is still promoted as a dietary supplement, and additional claims have been made that it can treat other maladies such as cancer, HIV, radiation sickness, swine flu, and the common cold.

[11] Deep sea sharks are usually targeted for their oil, because the livers of these species can account for up to 5–10% of their total weight.

[5][13] Some animal studies have found that shark liver oil and its components may raise blood cholesterol levels.

A Japanese study found some shark liver oil supplements to be contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

Despite claims that the alkoxy-glycerols derived from shark liver oil could reduce tumor growth, there is not sufficient evidence to prove this to be a viable treatment option.

Sharks typically targeted for their liver oil include the school and gulper shark , and the basking shark (pictured) . [ 1 ] All three of these species are either endangered [ 2 ] [ 3 ] or critically endangered [ 4 ] due to overfishing according to the IUCN , although a legal targeted fishery for basking sharks no longer exists. [ 2 ]