How does shark liver oil support white blood cell counts?

Alkylglycerols serve as biochemical building blocks for cellular membranes within bone marrow tissue. Clinical and physiological research demonstrates that supplemental AKGs stimulate the normal maturation and circulation of leukocytes (white blood cells), neutrophils, and platelets, supporting robust foundational immune defense.

Is Scandinavian Formulas Shark Liver Oil tested for mercury and heavy metals?

Yes. Scandinavian Formulas utilizes a vacuum molecular distillation process that thoroughly screens and filters out ocean contaminants, including methylmercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Every batch complies with stringent purity specifications and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).

Can I take Shark Liver Oil 500mg along with my daily Omega-3 Fish Oil?

Yes. Shark liver oil and conventional fish oil provide entirely different biological lipid classes. While standard fish oil supplies EPA and DHA for cardiovascular and joint health, shark liver oil supplies ether lipids (AKGs) tailored toward immune cell modulation. They do not compete for absorption and can be safely taken together.

Does this product cause Vitamin A toxicity?

No. While crude, unrefined shark liver oil naturally contains high concentrations of fat-soluble vitamin A, Scandinavian Formulas Shark Liver Oil undergoes specialized molecular separation that extracts and standardizes the alkylglycerols while stripping out excessive retinoids, making it safe for continuous daily supplementation at recommended dosages.

What is the recommended daily dosage for Scandinavian Formulas Shark Liver Oil?

The standard adult intake is one (1) to two (2) softgels taken two to three times daily with meals (providing 200mg to 600mg of active alkylglycerols daily), or as recommended by a licensed healthcare provider.

Scandinavian Formulas Shark Liver Oil 500mg (120 Softgels)

Scandinavian Formulas Shark Liver Oil 500mg delivers pure, cold-water marine lipids standardized to contain a guaranteed 20% Alkylglycerols (100mg active AKGs per softgel). Harvested from deep-sea Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) and dogfish species inhabiting pristine Arctic waters, this refined formulation provides concentrated ether lipids that support immune defense, promote normal white blood cell production, and maintain optimal cellular membrane integrity.*

Product Highlights & Quality Standards

Standardized Potency: Each 500mg softgel supplies a minimum of 100mg pure alkylglycerols (AKGs), ensuring consistent biological activity.
Deep-Sea Greenland Shark Source: Harvested from cold-water, deep-sea marine sources with a legacy of traditional Scandinavian use.
Molecularly Distilled Purity: Rigorously refined and vacuum-purified to remove environmental contaminants, heavy metals (including mercury and cadmium), PCBs, and unwanted saturated fats.
Safe Retinoid Profile: Purified to eliminate excessive levels of vitamin A and vitamin D, preventing the risk of hypervitaminosis associated with crude marine oils.
Clinically Studied Ether Lipids: Formulated around the landmark biochemical research on hematopoietic and macrophage modulation pioneered since 1962.
Free of Artificial Additives: Contains no artificial colors, flavors, dairy, gluten, yeast, or chemical preservatives.

The Science of Alkylglycerols: How Shark Liver Oil Operates at the Cellular Level

Unlike conventional fish oils that primarily supply esterified omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), Shark Liver Oil 500mg is valued specifically for its dense concentration of ether lipids, known biochemically as 1-O-alkyl-sn-glycerols (AKGs). Naturally synthesized in minute quantities within human hematopoietic tissues—most notably bone marrow, the spleen, and maternal breast milk—alkylglycerols serve as indispensable precursors in cellular signaling and physiological resilience.

1. Hematopoiesis and Leukocyte Support

Early clinical investigations spearheaded by Dr. Astrid Brohult and colleagues demonstrated that alkylglycerol supplementation plays a functional role in supporting the body's natural blood-forming processes (hematopoiesis). Alkylglycerols help nourish bone marrow stem cell microenvironments, promoting the normal production and differentiation of white blood cells (granulocytes and neutrophils) and thrombocytes (platelets). This physiological mechanism explains why alkylglycerols have been studied extensively as nutritional support for individuals seeking to maintain healthy immune cell baselines.

2. Macrophage Activation & Phagocytic Defense

Within the innate immune system, macrophages act as front-line defenders that identify, engulf, and clear cellular debris and foreign pathogens. Research indicates that the primary active ether fractions in shark liver oil—specifically selachyl alcohol (18:1), chimyl alcohol (16:0), and batyl alcohol (18:0)—are incorporated directly into the phospholipid bilayer of macrophage membranes. This integration modulates intracellular protein kinase C (PKC) activity and enhances macrophage phagocytic efficiency without triggering destructive hyper-inflammatory cascades.

3. Cellular Membrane Fluidity & Squalene Synergies

In addition to alkylglycerols, carefully refined shark liver oil contains trace amounts of squalene, an isoprenoid triterpene that acts as a low-density lipid antioxidant. Squalene quenches singlet oxygen and limits lipid peroxidation across mucosal epithelial barriers, providing complementary systemic support for dermal tissues and respiratory tract linings.

Shark Liver Oil vs. Standard Fish Oil: Key Differences

While both are sourced from cold marine environments, shark liver oil and standard fish body oils fulfill distinct nutritional objectives:

Nutritional Attribute	Scandinavian Formulas Shark Liver Oil 500mg	Standard Fish Oil (Salmon, Anchovy, Sardine)
Primary Active Compounds	1-O-Alkylglycerols (Selachyl, Chimyl, and Batyl alcohols)	Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA)
Primary Targeted Benefit	Bone marrow support, leukocyte regulation, macrophage phagocytosis	Cardiovascular health, joint mobility, cognitive support
Chemical Lipid Class	Ether lipids (alkyl-ether linked glycerol backbones)	Ester lipids (triacylglycerols or ethyl esters)
Endogenous Human Site	Concentrated in bone marrow, spleen, and human breast milk	Integrated widely into neural and cardiovascular cell walls
Complementary Use	Both supplements can be safely combined to provide simultaneous cellular immune support and systemic anti-inflammatory eicosanoid balance.

Complete Ingredient Listing & Supplement Facts

Supplement Facts

Serving Size: 1 Softgel

Servings Per Container: 120

Amount Per Serving	% Daily Value*
Refined Shark Liver Oil	500 mg †
Standardized Alkylglycerols (20%)	100 mg †

† Daily Value (DV) not established.

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Other Ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Purified Water (softgel capsule shell).

Allergen Information: Contains fish (shark). Free from yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, egg, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and artificial colors or preservatives.

Item SKU: EC0030 | UPC: 851137000247

Suggested Use & Protocol Guidance

Directions: As a dietary supplement for adults, take one (1) to two (2) softgels two to three times daily, preferably with a meal and an 8 oz glass of water, or as directed by your qualified healthcare professional.

Storage: Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place between 65°F and 75°F (20°C–24°C) with relative humidity below 60%. Keep out of direct sunlight and avoid excessive heat. Keep out of reach of children.

Precautions & Medical Considerations: Consult your physician prior to using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking prescription medications (particularly blood-thinning agents or immunosuppressants), or planning a surgical procedure. If you have an allergy to fish or marine products, do not consume this supplement.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Peer-Reviewed Scientific Citations

Brohult, A. (1962). "Alkoxyglycerols in the treatment of radiation-induced leukopenia." Nature, 193(4814), 482. DOI: 10.1038/193482a0.

Pugliese, P. T., Jordan, K., Cederberg, H., & Brohult, J. (1998). "Some biochemical properties of shark liver oil." The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 4(1), 87–99. DOI: 10.1089/acm.1998.4.87.

Lewkowicz, P., Banasik, M., Glowacka, E., Lewkowicz, N., & Tchorzewski, H. (2005). "Effect of high doses of shark liver oil on human neutrophil function and cytokine production." Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, 12(9), 1048–1054. DOI: 10.1128/CDLI.12.9.1048-1054.2005.

Mitre, R., et al. (2005). "Dietary alkylglycerols modulate immunological indicators in maternal milk and improve systemic humoral immune response." Journal of Animal Science, 83(10), 2439–2447.

Pedrono, F., et al. (2004). "Natural alkylglycerols inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis and cell permeability." Cancer Research, 64(15), 5215–5222.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are alkylglycerols and why are they found in shark liver oil?

Alkylglycerols (AKGs) are naturally occurring ether-linked glycerolipids. While they exist in trace quantities in human breast milk, bone marrow, and the spleen, deep-sea cold-water Greenland sharks accumulate high concentrations in their massive livers to assist with cellular buoyancy, biological resilience, and immune defense in extreme deep-water marine habitats.

Shark Liver Oil 500mg - 120 caps