Alkylglycerols

Fatty-acidEther lipidBest with a meal

What is it

Alkylglycerols (AKGs) are ether-linked glycerolipids found in shark liver oil, breast milk, and bone marrow. They are marketed for immune support and as adjuncts in cancer and radiation therapy.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Immune support during radiation therapy

Mixed Evidence

Older Swedish trials suggest modest benefit; replication in modern oncology is limited.

How it works

Alkylglycerols are precursors to platelet-activating factor and may modulate macrophage function, hematopoiesis, and immune cell signaling. Older Swedish trials (Brohult and colleagues) reported reductions in radiotherapy-related complications in cervical cancer patients. More recent rigorous trials are sparse, and the immune-support claims marketed in dietary supplements rely on extrapolation from this older literature.

Dosage

No RDA. Trials and supplements typically supply 100-300 mg/day of alkylglycerols. DSLD does not report a median.

When and how to take it

Fat-soluble; take with a meal containing fat.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Shark liver oil

Most common source.

Lipophilic; absorbed with dietary fat.

Safety

Well tolerated at typical doses. Shark liver oil sources may contain squalene and small amounts of contaminants depending on source; product quality varies.

Who should be cautious

Pregnancy and lactation: insufficient supplement-specific data. People undergoing cancer therapy should consult their oncologist before using shark liver oil products.

Interactions

No documented significant drug interactions. Theoretical immune effects could matter for people on immunosuppressants.

Food sources

Human breast milk

Amount
Naturally rich in alkylglycerols
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Do alkylglycerols help with infections?⌄

Marketing claims exceed evidence. Some immune-modulating effects are documented in older studies but modern clinical confirmation is limited.

Are shark liver oil products sustainable?⌄

Sustainability and contaminant levels vary by supplier. Choose products with transparent sourcing.

References

Alkylglycerols on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Alkylglycerols (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Alkylglycerols with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.