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Shark Cartilage
Q: What is in shark cartilage?
A: Shark cartilage is an all-natural, whole food source of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfates, and angiogenesis-inhibiting proteins, among other compounds.
Q: What are the beneficial effects of shark cartilage?
A: Shark cartilage can help to alleviate and prevent the inflammation and pain of arthritis and joint ailments/injuries, as well as some skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis.
Q: Can shark cartilage transmit BSE ("mad cow") disease?
A: NO. Shark cartilage is a completely safe nutrient for use with pets and people without any fear of contracting mad cow disease.
Q: How does shark cartilage work?
A: Shark cartilage is both an all-natural anti-inflammatory
agent and an angiogenesis inhibitor. As an
angiogenesis inhibitor, shark cartilage prevents
the formation of new unwanted, unnatural
and unneeded blood vessels. Under normal
conditions, the cartilage in joints is avascular
(without blood vessels). With normal wear
and tear, injury, hip dysplasia, etc. cartilage
in joints can develop an unnatural blood
supply. This new blood supply allows for
the calcification of the joint cartilage
-- the formation of new bone. This angiogenesis
and calcification of the joint cartilage
leads to the stiffening of the joints. Shark
cartilage controls this unnatural blood supply,
thereby allowing the glucosamines and chondroitin
sulfates to more effectively do their job
of restoring the flexibility and integrity
back to the joint cartilage.
"If glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates
are the pumps on a leaking or sinking boat
then it is the angiogenesis-inhibiting proteins
that work to stop the leaks. It makes no
sense to just pump without trying to stop
the leaks."
A: Like shark cartilage, bovine cartilage is high in glycosaminoglycans that can help the body repair damaged joints. However, shark cartilage was found to be 1,000 times more effective in preventing new blood vessel growth. Therefore, shark cartilage has now replaced bovine cartilage as the supplement of choice by many veterinarians and doctors, particularly, with the public concerns of the transmission of BSE or mad-cow disease through beef by-products.
Q: Are there any side effects?
A: No, there are no side effects associated with the use of shark cartilage. However, because of the angiogenesis inhibiting properties we do express caution and suggest discontinuance of shark cartilage immediately before and during pregnancy. As an angiogenesis inhibitor shark cartilage may cut off the blood supply to the placenta.
For additional information about shark cartilage please click for articles and research or click here for an excerpt from The Arthritis Solution for Dogs by Shawn Messonnier, DVM.
email: contact@seapet.com
telephone: 800-434-8152
This document is maintained by
Sea Starr Animal Health, Inc.