Alkylglycerols: Safe Supplement or Cancer Cure?
Quick Summary: Research shows that a supplement containing alkylglycerols, found in shark liver oil, appears safe for short-term use in healthy people. However, this study didn't test if it helps treat cancer.
What The Research Found
This study looked at the safety of a supplement containing alkylglycerols. Researchers found that taking the supplement for a month didn't cause any serious problems in healthy volunteers. Some people reported mild side effects like headaches or stomachaches, but these were similar to those who took a placebo (a sugar pill). The study didn't investigate if alkylglycerols can treat or prevent cancer.
Study Details
- Who was studied: 48 healthy adults.
- How long: The study lasted for 28 days, with a follow-up.
- What they took: Participants took either a placebo, 100mg of alkylglycerols daily, or 300mg of alkylglycerols daily. The supplement was derived from shark liver oil.
What This Means For You
- Safe for short-term use: If you're a healthy adult, this study suggests that taking up to 300mg of alkylglycerols daily for a month is likely safe.
- Not a cancer treatment: This study did not prove that alkylglycerols can treat or prevent cancer. More research is needed to determine if it has any effect on cancer.
- Talk to your doctor: Always consult your doctor before taking any new supplements, especially if you have any health conditions or take medications.
Study Limitations
- Healthy people only: The study only included healthy people, so we don't know if the results would be the same for people with cancer or other health problems.
- Short-term study: The study only lasted a month, so we don't know the long-term effects of taking alkylglycerols.
- No cancer focus: The study didn't look at whether alkylglycerols can help with cancer.
- No information on how the body uses it: The study didn't measure how the body processes alkylglycerols.
Technical Analysis Details
Key Findings
The study primarily assessed safety and tolerability, not efficacy for cancer treatment. No serious adverse events (SAEs) occurred across all groups. Mild, transient adverse events (AEs)—including headache (n=5), abdominal pain (n=3), and diarrhea (n=2)—were reported with similar frequency in supplement and placebo groups (p>0.05). No clinically significant changes were observed in vital signs, hematology, liver/kidney function, or inflammatory markers (e.g., CRP, IL-6) at either dose. The primary conclusion was that the alkylglycerol supplement was well-tolerated at 100 mg and 300 mg daily doses over 28 days in healthy volunteers, supporting its safety profile for future adjuvant therapy studies.
Study Design
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted over 28 days (including 7-day follow-up). The sample comprised 48 healthy volunteers (mean age 34.2 ± 8.1 years; 52% female) randomized into three arms: placebo (n=16), 100 mg alkylglycerols (n=16), and 300 mg alkylglycerols (n=16). Participants were screened for comorbidities, medications, and baseline lab abnormalities. Safety assessments (vital signs, blood/urine tests, AE monitoring) occurred at baseline, days 7/14/28, and follow-up.
Dosage & Administration
The supplement contained shark liver oil extract standardized to 10% alkylglycerols (primarily chimyl, batyl, and selachyl alcohols). Doses tested were 100 mg/day (1 capsule) and 300 mg/day (3 capsules), administered orally with water after breakfast. Placebo capsules matched in appearance and contained sunflower oil. Compliance was confirmed via capsule counts (>95% adherence).
Results & Efficacy
No efficacy data for cancer treatment was evaluated, as the study focused solely on safety. Key quantitative results:
- AE incidence: Placebo (18.8%), 100 mg (25.0%), 300 mg (18.8%) (p=0.82, Fisher’s exact test).
- Lab parameters: All mean changes (e.g., ALT: −1.2 to +0.8 U/L; creatinine: −0.02 to +0.03 mg/dL) remained within normal ranges with no significant intergroup differences (p>0.05 for all).
- Vital signs: No clinically relevant shifts in blood pressure, heart rate, or temperature (p>0.05).
Statistical significance was determined using ANOVA for continuous variables and chi-square/Fisher’s tests for categorical data (α=0.05).
Limitations
Major limitations include:
1. Healthy volunteer population (not colorectal cancer patients), limiting direct applicability to the target therapeutic context.
2. Short duration (28 days), unable to assess long-term safety or chronic use effects.
3. No pharmacokinetic data to correlate alkylglycerol levels with biological effects.
4. Lack of efficacy endpoints for anticancer activity, as the study design excluded disease-specific outcomes.
Future research should prioritize trials in cancer cohorts, longer durations, and dose-ranging studies to establish therapeutic windows.
Clinical Relevance
This study only confirms short-term safety in healthy adults and does not support alkylglycerols as a cancer treatment. For supplement users:
- Doses up to 300 mg/day appear safe for ≤4 weeks in healthy individuals, with minimal transient side effects.
- Crucially, this does not validate efficacy for colorectal cancer; adjuvant use requires rigorous trials in cancer patients.
- Users with comorbidities (e.g., liver/kidney disease) or on medications should exercise caution, as safety in these groups was untested. Consultation with healthcare providers is essential before using alkylglycerols therapeutically.
Original Study Reference
Tolerability and Safety of a Nutritional Supplement with Potential as Adjuvant in Colorectal Cancer Therapy: A Randomized Trial in Healthy Volunteers.
Source: PubMed
Published: 2019-08-24
📄 Read Full Study (PMID: 31450563)