For many years, scientists thought the secret to the shark's remarkable immune system was to be found in its cartilage. Today it is known that the shark's liver is the principal source of its incredible immunity.
Alkyglycerol, or AKG, is a family of compounds that play a vital part in the production and stimulation of white blood cells. It is found in the freshwater fish, cows, sheep and mother’s milk--AKG’s are one of the active substances that give breast fed babies crucial protection against infection until the infants’ own immune systems are fully developed. But it is the liver of the deep-water shark that AKGs are found in greater concentration than any other place on earth.
Your Immune System and AKGs
Shark liver oil, rich in AKGs, acts as a natural booster of the body’s immune system. Adding shark liver oil to the diet, as a food supplement, not a drug, helps increase general well-being, thereby improving the quality of life overall.
It is important to note that AKGs normalize the bone-marrow function. They do not overstimulate. AKGs also have been shown to elevate the production of white blood cells, called macrophages, which consume yeast and viruses. This result makes AKGs effective as general strengtheners of the immune system.
AKGs improve the body's immune defense system
Supplementing one’s diet with AKGs, in the form of shark liver oil capsules, seems to elevate the nonspecific immune response by causing an increase in the level of white blood cells that work for the body’s immune system.
Experiments in humans and animals have shown that Alkylglycerols improve the body's immune defense mechanism. In fact, Astrid Brohult, M.D. stated that alkylglycerols "help reduce immune responses to foreign substances."
AKGs as Antioxidants
There are many different types of antioxidants. All have been used in varying dosages to eliminate oxidizing free radicals, which are produced from air and water pollution, smog, ozone, insecticides, normal human metabolism, strenuous exercise and much else. Free radicals. which attack the cells of the body, are a major factor in aging. The traditional antioxidants are most effective in scavenging free radicals outside of cells. Very few of them are able to penetrate the cell membrane.
Chemotherapy and AKGs
More than seventy years of research, in both Japan and Europe, have yielded remarkable results. For example, scientists have found that giving radiation therapy patients small dosages of AKGs before, during and after radiation treatment reduces the sharp and dangerous drop in white blood cells (leukopenia) which is a common side effect of the treatment.
AKGs are also known to reduce the drop in white blood cell count that accompanies chemotherapy. Given that white blood cells play a key role in promoting healing in humans, these results are of great importance.
Safety of Alkylglycerols
Perhaps most exciting is the fact that AKG’s have been shown to cause no significant negative side effects.
Not all shark liver oil is created equal
Look for a product that is processed to remove any significant amount of Vitamins A and D. Look for a product that is environmentally responsible, not relying on any one species of shark. A product that is approved by the Scandanavian Shark Association and produced under FDA packaging requirements. Immunity Plus from Iceland Health meets or exceeds all standards.