NOW Foods Shark Cartilage

Name: NOW Foods Shark Cartilage
Brand: NOW Foods
SKU: 733739032706
Price: 14.69 GBP
Availability: InStock

Brands: NOW Foods

£14.69

NOW Foods Shark Cartilage — 750mg per cap, in two pack sizes.

What it is

Dried shark cartilage powder in capsules
A traditional source of the cartilage components chondroitin and collagen

How to use

Take as directed on the pack. Joint formulas are normally taken daily over a longer run rather than as a one-off.

Good to know

Choose from 2 sizes: 750mg - 100 caps / 750mg - 300 caps
Format: caps
Caffeine free
Fish source — not suitable if you have a fish allergy

A food supplement, not a substitute for a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the stated dose. Keep out of reach of children.

Size: 750mg - 100 caps

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Quantity

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Categories : Amino Acids & Recovery Supplements, Caffeine-Free Supplements, Everyday Health Supplements, Joint Supplements, Joint Supplements, Muscle & Joint Supplements, NOW Foods, Vitamins & Supplements, Workout Recovery Supplements

SKU: 733739032706

At a glance

£0.67

per daily dose

Insufficient

evidence for shark cartilage

Our honest take

Six capsules a day give 4.5 g of shark cartilage, which also supplies a hefty 1,000 mg of calcium (125% of the NRV). There is no good evidence that shark cartilage does anything for joints and no authorised claim for it, so the calcium is the only part with established value, and you could get that far more cheaply from a calcium tablet or diet. If you want chondroitin, a standard chondroitin product gives a known dose.

You have specifically chosen shark cartilage and accept the evidence is poor
You already take calcium: this adds 1,000 mg a day, so check your total with your GP
You have a heart or circulation condition, high blood calcium or kidney stones, are recovering from surgery, or are pregnant or breastfeeding
You are allergic to fish, vegetarian, or avoid shark products for sustainability reasons

The science

Shark cartilage· evidence: Insufficient

Shark cartilage powder contains chondroitin, other cartilage compounds, protein and a lot of calcium. It was heavily promoted in the 1990s, but well-designed trials did not support the claims made for it at the time.

There is no good evidence that taking shark cartilage does anything for joints, and no authorised health claim for it, so we make no claims about its effects. If you want chondroitin, a standard chondroitin supplement gives you a known amount. Some buyers also avoid shark products for sustainability reasons.

Typical dose: Products usually suggest 2–5 g a day

Safety: Contains fish (shark). High in calcium: count it towards your total if you take other calcium supplements. Speak to your GP first if you have a heart or circulation condition, high blood calcium or kidney stones, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Can cause stomach upset and an unpleasant taste.

Research we looked at:
Loprinzi CL et al. (2005). Evaluation of shark cartilage in patients with advanced cancer: a North Central Cancer Treatment Group trial. Cancer 104(1):176–182.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Cartilage (bovine and shark). nccih.nih.gov

Calcium· evidence: Moderate

Calcium is the main mineral in bones and teeth and is also needed for muscles, nerves and blood clotting. Adults need about 700 mg a day in the UK, which most people get from dairy, fortified plant milks, tofu, bread made with fortified flour and green vegetables.

Calcium supplements help people whose diets are genuinely low, for example some vegans or people who avoid dairy, and are sometimes prescribed with vitamin D for people with osteoporosis. For well-fed adults, reviews have found that extra calcium makes little difference to fracture risk.

Food is the preferred source. Different forms (carbonate, citrate) give different amounts of elemental calcium; citrate is easier to absorb without food.

Authorised health claim
Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones. Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal teeth. Calcium contributes to normal muscle function. Calcium contributes to normal blood clotting. (Applies where a daily dose gives at least 15% of the NRV, i.e. 120 mg.)

Typical dose: Adults need 700 mg a day from all sources (NRV on labels: 800 mg). Supplements usually give 200 to 1,000 mg.

Safety: The FSA advises that 1,500 mg a day or less from supplements is unlikely to cause harm. High doses can cause constipation and wind. Calcium reduces absorption of some medicines (such as thyroxine, some antibiotics and bisphosphonates) and iron, so take them at different times and check with a pharmacist. People with a history of kidney stones or high blood calcium should speak to their GP.

Research we looked at:
NHS. Calcium. nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/calcium
Bolland MJ, Leung W, Tai V, et al. Calcium intake and risk of fracture: systematic review. BMJ 2015;351:h4580.
EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level of calcium. EFSA Journal 2012;10(7):2814.

Ingredients & nutrition

Ingredients: shark cartilage (with naturally occurring mucopolysaccharides), microcrystalline cellulose, bovine gelatin (capsule), stearic acid (vegetable source), silicon dioxide.

Per daily dose (6 capsules): shark cartilage 4,500 mg, calcium 1,000 mg (125% NRV), protein 2 g, sodium 20 mg.

Pack: 100 capsules (16 daily doses) or 300 capsules (50 daily doses).

Allergens: contains fish (shark). Bovine gelatin capsule; not suitable for vegetarians.

Always check the pack you receive, as manufacturers sometimes update recipes.

How to use

Take 6 capsules a day, preferably split into smaller doses. Do not exceed the stated daily dose. For adults only.

Joint products are not a treatment for any condition. If you have ongoing joint pain, stiffness or swelling, see your GP or a physiotherapist.

Price per dose & how it compares

Product	Size	Price	Per daily dose
This product	750mg - 100 caps	£14.69	£0.91
This product	750mg - 300 caps	£33.99	£0.67
SciTec Shark Cartilage		from £11.59	–
NOW Foods Glucosamine & Chondroitin Extra Strength		from £19.99	£0.62
Doctor's Best Glucosamine		from £17.99	£0.20

Cost per daily dose lets you compare packs of different sizes fairly.Worked out from our current prices.

Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. General information, not medical advice. Speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take medication.