Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION
Squalene is a triterpene compound that serves as a cholesterol precursor and powerful antioxidant, naturally found in shark liver oil and olive oil. It enhances skin barrier function through ceramide synthesis and supports cardiovascular health by modulating cholesterol metabolism via the mevalonate pathway.
Reported Benefits (Provisional)
Origin & History
Squalene is a natural organic compound originally sourced from shark liver oil but now also extracted from olives and other plant sources for sustainability.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
Research supports squalene's role as an emollient and antioxidant, with studies indicating its efficacy in skin hydration and protection.
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
Squalene is a triterpene hydrocarbon (C30H50) and polyunsaturated lipid, not a traditional macronutrient source. Key compositional data: Pure squalene is 100% lipid by weight with no protein, carbohydrate, fiber, or micronutrient content in isolated form. Bioactive compounds: Squalene itself is the primary bioactive at ~100% concentration in refined extract. In shark liver oil, squalene concentrations range from 40–80% of total oil content, alongside alkylglycerols (1–10%) and fatty acids including oleic acid (C18:1), palmitic acid (C16:0), and trace omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA <5%). In olive oil, squalene is present at 200–700 mg per 100g (approximately 0.2–0.7%), alongside oleocanthal, oleuropein, tocopherols (vitamin E: ~14mg/100g), and polyphenols. Molecular weight of squalene: 410.72 g/mol. As an antioxidant precursor, squalene is an intermediate in cholesterol and sterol biosynthesis (via the mevalonate pathway), converting to squalene epoxide. Bioavailability: Orally administered squalene demonstrates approximately 60–70% intestinal absorption in human studies; it is incorporated into chylomicrons and lipoproteins (primarily VLDL and LDL fractions) post-absorption. Skin absorption is high due to squalene being a natural component of human sebum (approximately 12–15% of sebum composition). No significant vitamin, mineral, or fiber content is present in isolated squalene compound form.
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
Squalene functions as an intermediate in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, converting to squalene epoxide via squalene epoxidase enzyme. It enhances skin barrier function by promoting ceramide and cholesterol synthesis in keratinocytes. The compound also exhibits antioxidant properties by scavenging free radicals and reducing lipid peroxidation through its unsaturated carbon structure.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
Human studies on squalene supplementation are limited, with most research focusing on topical applications. A 12-week study of 30 participants showed 23% improvement in skin hydration with topical squalene application. Cardiovascular studies primarily involve observational data linking dietary squalene intake to improved lipid profiles. Most immune function research comes from in vitro and animal studies, with human clinical evidence remaining preliminary.
Also Known As
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