Squalene is derived from either the liver oil of deep-water sharks or from olive oil, and is often used in the manufacturing of cosmetic products and vaccines. Squalene acts as an emollient or hydrating agent in cosmetics and is also used to increase the power of the vaccines. This type of ingredient in vaccines is called an adjuvant.
Breast Health
In April 2010, the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology" released a study that showed that squalene obtained from virgin olive oil was partially responsible for a reduced breast cancer incidence in women who consume squalene-containing olives or olive oil regularly. Researchers believe that this decreased incidence is due to the protective activity of squalene against DNA damage in normal mammary cells.
Pharmaceutical Benefits
Squalene assists in the absorption of drugs and vaccines, according to an article published in "Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews" in 2009. Squalene acts as a vehicle to get the active parts of vaccines or drugs into cells where they work best. The ADDR says that squalene enhances the immune response to various antigens, meaning that vaccine effects are improved when squalene is used as an adjuvant.
Cancer Prevention
In 2004, the "European Journal of Cancer Prevention" named squalene as an anti-cancer compound found in olive oil. Both olives and olive oil contain substantial amounts of squalene, and ingestion of these food items is being investigated regularly by the medical community as part of the Mediterranean diet. The interest in this research is due to the fact that populations in Europe that consume the Mediterranean diet have lower incidences of major illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to the EJCP.
References
- Medical News Today: New Method Could Stop Shark Oil Being Used In Cosmetics And Vaccines
- PubMed.gov: Squalene protects against oxidative DNA damage in MCF10A human mammary epithelial cells but not in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells
- PubMed.gov: Squalene: A natural triterpene for use in disease management and therapy
- PubMed.gov: Olives and olive oil in cancer prevention
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