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Statins (Lipitor, Mevacor, Zocor, etc) do not only inhibit the
synthesis of cholesterol. Since squalene is a precursor to
cholesterol, and statins cut off cholesterol synthesis prior to
the formation of squalene, statins therefore inhibit the
synthesis of squalene.
As is true for coenzyme Q10, this cannot be considered a "side
effect." Inhibiting squalene, a cholesterol precursor, is the
direct purpose of the statin drugs.
Yet squalene is much more than a precursor to cholesterol. In
fact, only 10% of synthesized squalene is used for cholesterol
synthesis. The other 90% is stored or used as an antioxidant.
Squalene as an Antioxidant
Squalene accumulates at the greatest concentrations in the skin,
where it appears to play a vital role in quenching free radical
oxygen (oxygen singlets), preventing the harmful effects of
lipid peroxidation. Adequate concentrations of squalene in the
skin prevent oxidative damage from ultraviolet light.
Squalene also appears to play a similar role in the retina,
where it is known to play some kind of important function.
Squalene for Detoxification
Administration of squalene at high doses induces the
detoxification and elimination of toxic pollutants such as
organochlorines, theophylline, and strychnine in animals. The
doses used are very high, and it is as yet unclear what the
implications of this are for human health.
Squalene as an Anti-Cancer Agent
A significant body of evidence indicates that reasonable doses
of supplemental squalene prevents the chemical initiation of
some kinds of cancers, and promotes the regression of some kinds
of preexisting tumors.
One animal study found that a 1% squalene diet reduced a certain
type of colon cancer foci by 46%. Another study found that
squalene as 2% of the diet made animals resistant to the toxic
effects of whole-body gamma radiation.1
Squalene in Food
While the oils of olive, palm, wheat-germ, amaranth, and rice
bran contain some squalene, none match the squalene content of
shark liver oil, after (the latin name of) which squalene is
named.
Shark liver oil, like cod liver oil, contains the same benefits
as cod liver oil, such as vitamins A and D, and omega-3 fatty
acids, but its high squalene content as well as its
alkoxylglycerol content make it an even more prized supplement
to a healthy diet.
Many people find that shark liver oil boosts their immune system
and increases the health of their skin, and some researchers
suggest it has cancer-preventative properties because of its
high squalene content.
Squalene also does wonders for the skin topically, although
shark liver oil is not practical to use for this because of its
fishy smell. Some companies have isolated the squalene from
shark liver oil to use topically.
Squalene: Another Hero, Fallen Victim
Squalene's benefits as an antioxidant and anti-cancer agent make
it yet one more hero of the healthful body fallen victim to the
use of statins.
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