What Is Shark Powder?

Hair growth is always going to be a hot topic. Nobody wants to lose their hair and every woman wants her hair to grow at the speed of lightening. Now that I think about it, I can only imagine how many crazy hairstyles I’d try if I knew I could grow my hair right back! According to the American Academy of Dermatology, an estimated 30 million women and 50 million men have hair loss disorders, such as alopecia. That’s a lot of missing hair!

Thankfully there are always new hair growth methods to try and the latest is shark powder. I am all about the hair growth bandwagons (as long as they are safe). So when I heard of this new fishy hair growth phenomenon I just had to get all of the details.

Shark powder is made from shark cartilage and when put into hair care supplements, it can produce amazing results. The glucosamine found in shark cartilage stimulates the growth of new tissues and studies have seen evidence of it stimulating the growth of dormant hair follicles.

Apparently this supplement has been around for decades, and can be traced all the way back the ancient Roman period. Shark Cartilage supplements are made up of mostly protein, calcium, sulfur, collagen, glucosamine, and much-polysaccharides. Historically, it has been used for many other health purposes such as cancer, HIV, arthritis, psoriasis, wounds, damaged retina, diabetes, and the treatment of inflamed intestines.

Hair growth  just takes this super supplement to whole new heights as far as its benefits are concerned. According to the International Journal of Medical Research, a study showed around a 38% increase in hair growth (over a 6 month period) in over 95% of the participants who used a supplement containing shark cartilage.

Are there risks?

The long-term effects of shark cartilage have not been studied, but most people seem to be able to tolerate the supplement in small doses. Some potential side effects that users have experienced include:

• nausea
• dizziness
• abdominal cramps and bloating
• constipation
• fever
• fatigue

Supplements may also lower blood pressure and raise blood sugar levels. According to a report from the University of Pennsylvania, children and pregnant women should avoid the supplement because it could slow the normal growth of children and fetuses. People who have recently had surgery are also advised not to take it, as it may slow healing.

Before trying it yourself, continue to do your research. Also, don’t give up on natural ways to stimulate your hair growth, like eating more greens.