“Cartilage?”Here!
Hasn’t appeared in a scanned product yet.
As a supplement
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Roll Call does not check drug interactions or assess personal safety.
A dried, powdered animal tissue — typically from cow (bovine) or shark sources — added whole rather than as an isolated compound. It naturally contains collagen and cartilage-matrix components such as chondroitin sulfate, but in unrefined, variable amounts.
Why it’s used
Taken by some to support joint comfort and cartilage health, following the same rationale used for isolated chondroitin sulfate or glucosamine supplements.
What the evidence says
The oral-use evidence in this space centers on isolated chondroitin sulfate, which NCCIH has examined for osteoarthritis symptoms, with mixed but sometimes favorable results at defined doses. Whole, unspecified cartilage as an ingredient has not been studied in the same way — its content of active compounds is not standardized, so results from purified-extract trials don't transfer directly.
Context
Evidence appears to exist for cartilage-derived compounds, but not for unspecified whole cartilage itself as sold on a label. A reviewer looking to firm this up would look for trials using standardized chondroitin sulfate extract at a stated dose, not raw cartilage powder.
Rumors
Cartilage supplements support immune health.
Does not supporthealth and safety evidence
Measured as an outcome.
- Cartilage (Bovine and Shark) (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version (Regulatory) · Funding not checked
- Bovine Cartilage | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Database) · Funding not checked
- Shark Cartilage Extract Uses, Benefits & Dosage (Database) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- Enviromedica — a brand: makes and sells dietary supplements
How we know who this is
- “Enviromedica's bovine organs are sourced exclusively from grass-fed and finished livestock regeneratively raised on beautiful green pastures in New Zealand.” (their page)
- “In 2007, we set out on a mission to empower people to support their ancestral biology with science-based dietary supplements rooted in the paradigm-shifting principles of evolutionary medicine.” (their page)
Shark cartilage is anti-inflammatory.
Unresolvedhealth and safety evidence
Measured as an outcome.
- Shark Cartilage | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Database) · Funding not checked
- Shark Cartilage Extract Uses, Benefits & Dosage (Database) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- The Georgia Straight — a publisher: Vancouver arts, culture and events publication
How we know who this is
- “The Georgia Straight is essential reading for anyone who’s interested in Vancouver and its place in the world.” (their page)
Shark cartilage helps treat cancer.
Does not support — establishedhealth and safety evidence
Studied in: patients with advanced (incurable breast or colorectal) cancer receiving standard care.
Measured as an outcome.
- Evaluation of shark cartilage in patients with advanced cancer: a North Central Cancer Treatment Group trial (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
- Cartilage (Bovine and Shark) (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version (Regulatory) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- community.bulksupplements.com — the site doesn’t say who runs it
Shark cartilage supplements support joint comfort and healthy cartilage.
Does not supporthealth and safety evidence
Measured as an outcome.
- Shark Cartilage Extract Uses, Benefits & Dosage (Database) · Funding not checked
- Shark Cartilage | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Database) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- Swanson Vitamins — a brand: sells its own vitamins and supplements
How we know who this is
- “At Swanson Vitamins, integrity means you get exactly what's promised: Safe, pure, effective supplements that you can trust.” (their page)