Here is a list of the top four myths surrounding the health and medical benefits of sharks and the facts behind the myths that pharmacy technicians can share with their friends, family, co-workers and fellow shark enthusiasts.

1. Shark cartilage helps cure cancer: This is one of the most recent myths about the health benefits of sharks, and it started with the 1992 publication of the book Sharks Don’t Get Cancer by I. William Lane. According to the book, sharks have powerful immune systems that protect them from cancer, viruses and many other kinds of human diseases. Humans can take a piece of that immune system by taking shark cartilage. The cartilage is often extracted from the heads and fins of sharks and sold as a dietary supplement under the names Carticin, Cartilade™, BeneFin™, Neovastat (AE-941). Researchers are still looking into the possible health benefits, if any, of shark cartilage, but little to no evidence exists that shark cartilage has any effect on cancer. Also, modern studies have proven that sharks actually do get cancer like everyone else.




2. Shark fin soup increases virility and is full of nutrition: Shark fin soup is a dish served in Asian countries, but no scientific studies have proven that it has any significant health benefits.  In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued advisories for consumers to avoid eating shark due to the fact that it can contain high levels of mercury.




3. Shark liver oil will protect against any disease: Shark liver oil has been used for centuries as a folk remedy to treat wounds. In fact, some formulations of Preparation H contain shark liver oil. Some proponents claim that shark liver oil is rich in vitamins, omega fatty acids and alkylglycerols (all of which are believed to help boost the immune system) and will protect against any disease from the common cold to Alzheimer’s disease to cancer. While shark liver oil does have some common uses,  researchers have yet to find a definitive link between shark liver oil and increased immune function.




4. Capsaicin works as a shark repellant: As many pharmacy technicians know, capsaicin is often used in topical creams to relieve arthritis and other pains, but it is also the chemical that gives chili peppers their spice. For this reason, capsaicin was featured on a special Shark Week edition of Mythbusters. The myth was that Kuna people of Panama used the capsaicin that gives chili peppers their spice as a shark repellant. The Mythbusters put the myth to the test by filling balloons with a special mix of water and habanero pepper juice and attaching the balloons to a bait box inside a shark swimming pool. Unfortunately, the capsaicin did nothing to make the bait any less desirable to the sharks.

Have you heard a myth about the health benefits of sharks or other animals? Share some of the most interesting myths you’ve heard about animals and medicine with NPTA on Facebook, Twitter or the comments section of this blog!

The people are ill
Oh what the heck!
Let’s get to work cause
I’m a pharmacy tech.

People are coughing
All over the counter top
Cover your mouths
So the germs will stop.

While on their cell phone
You ask, “been here before?”
They reply with a yes
And my birthday is May 5th, 1944.

This will take about 40 minutes
Oh no they’re gonna have to wait
They gather their things
As they walk away with a face of hate.

Here comes a mom with her kids
One is crying, the other is sick.
Mom asks for a trashcan
To throw away a lollipop stick.

Oh joy some grumpy customers
What a way to start the day.
Now what in the world 
Does this freakin prescription say?

For the adult with a cough
How about Tussionex and a Zpak.
They’re breathing funny too,
So let’s fill their prednisone pack.

The medicine tastes so yucky
Let’s make mom so very merry
See if the kid wants apple
Grape, watermelon or cherry?

The insurance comes back with an error
Tussionex requires a prior auth.
Try to explain that to the patient
“Pay for the syrup OR keep the cough!”

Then I’m interrupted
Over there by Mr. John Doe.
The crazy customer wants to know
“How do I get this fungus off my toe?”

Before you finish helping him
Another impatient customer is there.
She needs some butterfly bandaids, 
And asks, “Where is the first aid care?”

I finish, and walk back in the door
Oh, wonderful, it’s the ringing telephone
It’s good ol’ Betty Jean asking
“When can I fill my hydrocodone?”

Here comes the last minute customer
“Doctor said it’s on your $4 list”
Two of them are, the other is not
They are now a little bit pissed.

All the typing and the counting
On the free drug reps tray
Dealing with customers and doctors
For what? Very little pay.

As I start to wonder if this job is worth it
Others are wondering what the heck?
Your boss comes over to you and says
“Thanks for your hard work! You’re a great Pharmacy Tech!!!”

*****
Posted with permission of the author, Eileen Neumyer, CPhT.