Squalene

Squalene is a natural substance most commonly known as fish oil and shark liver oil when put in supplement form. However, many people don't realize this substance is actually in our bloodstream, originating in the liver.
See also :

• Shark Liver Oil
• Fish Oil
• Amaranth

Food Sources

• Squalene is present upto 85% by weight of liver in deep sea sharks. It is also found in high concentrations in the stomach oil of birds in the order Procellariiformes.
• Among the plant sources, squalene is present in Amaranthus seed oil (6-8%), Olive Oil (up to 0.7% by weight), Palm Oil (0.1 to 2%, depending on species and method of extraction), rice bran oil and wheat germ. Squalene extracted commercially from olive oil is marketed as vegetable squalene having purity of around 97.5% while squalene from shark liver oil can be processed up to 99.9% purity.

Health Benefits and uses of Squalenes are

In addition to its uses in cosmetics and over-the-counter medications, squalene is also used as a health supplement for cancer and heart health and an additive in some vaccines. Though they look promising, the benefits of squalene have yet to stand the test of time and further scientific testing.

• Immune System Response : Squalene oil contains elements that enhance an individual's immune system response. According to the American Cancer Society, this supplement contains alkylglycerols, which some researchers have claimed can fight off colds, viruses and infections. Other conditions, such as arthritis, asthma and psoriasis, may also be alleviated by squalene oil supplements. Additionally, the macrophages in squalene oil are promoted for their ability to help wounds heal faster. Though squalene oil is widely marketed for these uses, these particular health benefits have not yet been verified in a controlled clinical trial. Starting in 1997, squalene has been added to some flu vaccines, says the World Health Organization. Each dose of the original FLUAD and Chriron flu vaccines contained about 10 mg of squalene. Recently, researchers have also been experimenting with squalene for other vaccines, including the pandemic flu and malaria vaccines. Squalene has been linked to an enhanced immune system response when used in some vaccines.
• Cancer : The American Cancer Society explains that squalene oil is often linked to anti-cancer treatments. In certain studies, the supplement slowed the growth of blood vessels in a cancerous tumor. Medline Plus links these positive effects to several types of cancer, including prostate, colon and breast cancer. Because of these findings, some patients take squalene oil either alone or with chemotherapy in order to treat their cancer. Since squalene is also believed to have the ability to protect cells, it is suggested as a supplement for reducing some of chemotherapy's unpleasant side effects. Medline Plus asserts that although cancer patients often take squalene during treatment, the number of randomized controlled trials in this area are insufficient for conclusive evidence.
• Cell protection : Squalene has proven to help prevent cells from transmutation, or "mutating". Transmutation means that the normal structure of a cell has been "altered", and becomes a precursor to a cancer cell. Squalene can helps to prevent transmutation caused by radiation.
• Heart Health : Although some of its other benefits are not scientifically proven yet, squalene oil is strongly linked to heart health. Backed by several extensive studies, fish oil has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks, says Medline Plus. The December 2006 issue of "Public Health Nutrition" reports that fats such as squalene reduce the risk of high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms.
• Digestive Health: Squalene is a cytoprotectant - which combats thinning of intestinal lining and can prevents ulcers by increasing mucosal protection in the stomach.
• Cholesterol : Squalene is a precursor to cholesterol. Squalene is converted into cholesterol via lanosterol. Healthy cholesterol, or HDL - not associated with LDL, or "bad cholesterol", is absolutely vital to great health. HDL also makes up the inner-outer layer of every cell, as well as hormones essential for biomechanism. It's also an insulator for the nerves and is responsible for producing bile acids needed to digest fats in the gut. Thus, a body WITHOUT adequate healthy cholesterol, can break down from impaired function.
• Healthy Hormones: Because Squalene is a precursor to important sterols such as cholesterol, it can improve hormone balance, as cholesterol is the basic building block for all bodily hormones. Squalene supports the endocrine/hormone system because it allows hormones to be made with proper materials. Especially for even healthy vegans & vegetarians, there are not a lot of good sources of plant sterols (the main sterol in the human body is cholesterol). Affected "hormones" include hormones like - testosterone, estrogen, androgens, Vitamin D, progesterone, and sex hormones. Why is the main reason Squalene is said to also improve.
• Skin Health : Squalene prevents lipid peroxidation in human skin surface. Lipid peroxidation refers to the oxidative degradation of lipids (fats). It is the process in which free radicals "steal" electrons from the lipids in cell membranes, resulting in cell damage. It is also an extremely effective moisturizer. Those that have applied Squalene Oils to their face and skin, have consistently reported it as "the most powerful skin rejuvenator and moisturizer ever used" - commonly resulting in softer, more even-toned skin, with a more "youthful" visual appearance!
• Sexual Vitality : Squalene aids in the production of adrenal hormones as well as sex hormones for both males and females... such as testosterone, estrogen, androgens, Vitamin D, progesterone, and other sex hormones. Thus, taking Squalene regularly improves sexual vitality.
• Detox : Squalene's unique structure enables it to absorb toxins, thus assisting the body's detoxification processes. It has been shown to help improve the body's clearance of pesticides and heavy metals.

References

• Liu et al., 1976; Deprez et al., 1990; Sun et al., 1997; Newmark, 1997