One of the extremely beneficial natural compounds is squalene. What it is? Not everyone will answer this question. It turns out that squalene is a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon that prevents the occurrence of oxygen deficiency in the human body. But this is not his only useful property. This substance is an enemy of cancer and many diseases of the skin. On the useful abilities of this hydrocarbon and where it is contained, read on.
Squalene: what is it?
Probably almost everyone heard about this hydrocarbon. But few people know about its beneficial properties and where squalene is contained. What is it, fans of cosmetics that are produced with the addition of the above substance are well aware. After all, this is the most common scope of this hydrocarbon.
It turns out that even in everyday life we often use squalene. What is it and what is it for? Let's try to figure it out.
Translated from Latin, "squalene" means "shark." This name was not chosen for him by chance, since it was first discovered in the liver of this particular fish.
Squalene characteristic:
- liquid hydrocarbon, polyunsaturated, acyclic;
- boiling point -242 degrees Celsius;
- main area of distribution: tissue of plants and animals.
This substance is the main component of the skin of a person. Squalene in its composition is very similar to body cells. It, through interaction with water, captures oxygen and saturates human organs and tissues with it.
Discovery of squalene
This substance was first discovered at the beginning of the 20th century (in 1906) by the Japanese scientist Mitzumaro Tsujimoto. Squalene was isolated from shark liver using special methods, which is why it got its name.
Biochemists call it a special compound, a natural unsaturated hydrocarbon. In 1931, the Swiss professor Claur proved that the shark squalene does not have 12 hydrogen atoms. This prevents him from achieving a stable state. Therefore, this hydrocarbon captures them from any sources available to it. More often, squalene reacts with water, since it is this liquid that is the most common source of oxygen.
Sharks, which are located at a decent sea depth, squalene helps to survive in conditions of low oxygen content (hypoxia). It saturates with this component their tissues and organs.
Useful properties of squalene
This hydrocarbon has many abilities with which it can have a positive effect on the functionality of the human body. How did squalene deserve its popularity? Useful
properties of the substance :
- It has a unique ability to regenerate cells, to saturate them with oxygen;
- slows down the aging process, that is, acts as a powerful antioxidant;
- maintains the body's water balance, moisturizes the skin;
- increases immunity (it has an immunostimulating, bactericidal, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory effect).
Some experts consider squalene to be a powerful antitumor factor. Its properties in this direction are quite effective. It is known that oxygen deficiency and cellular destruction, which is caused by an excess of oxidants, are precisely the main reasons for the formation of various kinds of tumors. The development of cancer also prevents squalene. Its beneficial properties are also observed in obesity. It perfectly controls weight (affects the blood cholesterol, reduces its level, improves the processes of fat metabolism, takes part in the synthesis of hormones, fat cells and even some vitamins).
Where is squalene contained?
Sources of this polyunsaturated hydrocarbon are:
- shark liver;
- vegetable oils: olive, amaranth, cottonseed, linseed;
- rice bran;
- yeast;
- wheat germ oil;
Of course, shark liver is not a reliable source of squalene, since this product is quite exotic.
Only cold pressed olive oil contains the above valuable component. What is usually used for frying, of course, does not possess it.
Amaranth oil is of particular value to humans, since experts found 8% of squalene in its composition!
Use of squalene
Nowadays, this polyunsaturated hydrocarbon is actively used in the following industries:
- official medicine;
- dietetics;
- cosmetology;
- food production.
As for cosmetology, squalene has been used for more than 100 years to produce anti-aging products. Its use here is due to its unique abilities in this regard:
- This hydrocarbon protects the tissues of the human body from various kinds of damage by active oxygen formulas. It successfully extinguishes aggressive singlet oxygen, thereby preventing aging processes and prolonging life.
- Squalene well saturates the skin with oxygen, thereby moisturizing it and the mucous membranes well. It makes it more elastic, silky and soft, smoothes wrinkles and inhibits the development of pathogenic bacteria. It is with the help of the latter property that the protective barrier of the skin increases. In addition, this hydrocarbon restores the supply of many useful substances in the body, thereby preventing the development of many skin diseases.
- Squalene helps control a person’s weight because it has the ability to lower cholesterol in the blood.
- This polyunsaturated hydrocarbon strengthens hair and nails.
Indications for use of squalene
Specialists recommend using products containing this polyunsaturated hydrocarbon to people with diseases such as:
- eczema;
- trophic ulcers;
- psoriasis;
- atherosclerosis;
- high blood pressure;
- strokes, heart attacks;
- arthritis;
- chronic fatigue syndrome;
- problems of the organs of vision;
- colds;
- diabetes;
- oncology;
- infectious diseases of the respiratory tract.
In addition, squalene is recommended by specialists in official medicine against radiation and as an effective tool that reduces the side effects of radio, chemotherapy. Also, the above polyunsaturated hydrocarbon cleanses the body from various kinds of contaminants.
Squalene: contraindications and side effects
The above substance is not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Also, squalene is not allowed to be given to children under 16 years of age.
It should be noted that in some people, experts noted an increased sensitivity to this substance. In case of individual intolerance to squalene, the consumption of foods in which it is contained should be minimized.
In addition, this liquid hydrocarbon can cause allergic reactions. This is its main side effect.
Squalene: patient reviews
Today, you can find many responses from patients who used drugs with the above polyunsaturated hydrocarbon. Some of them concern people who used squalene to strengthen nails and hair. Reviews of the use of the drug by this group of patients indicate a positive result. Moreover, these people claim that after taking this drug they became balanced, self-doubt disappeared.
Especially positively women value squalene. Their reviews say that drugs with this hydrocarbon have a positive effect on the state of the body during PMS. Patients claim that the bouts of aggression these days have disappeared, in addition, tearfulness and irritability are no longer observed.
A significant part of the responses comes from people who, on the advice of a nutritionist, took squalene to normalize their weight. Reviews about the use of the drug in this group of patients are also only positive. People claim that in addition to weight loss, their skin condition improved, nerves calmed down.
Squalene also wrote to patients who had squalene to help get rid of high blood pressure. Their reviews indicate a significant effectiveness of the drug with the above hydrocarbon. Their blood pressure returned to normal, their mood improved, their vitality rose.
Squalene is a natural compound found in exclusive and hard-to-reach products. But it is very necessary for man. Eating some vegetable oils and other of the above products will enrich the body with this valuable polyunsaturated hydrocarbon, which prevents oxygen deficiency.