Continuing Education (CE/CME)

Natural Standard has developed Continuing Education (CE) modules based on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) evidence-based informational monographs. These modules cover issues of safety, interactions, and efficacy of CAM therapies. The below example is for shark cartilage. These modules will soon be available on this site. For further information, please contact info@naturalstandard.com.

Shark Cartilage
Continuing Education Questions
Accompaniment to shark cartilage Natural Standard monograph

1. DOSING
Which of the following statements is untrue:

  1. Shark cartilage products have not been standardized
  2. Oral preparations of shark cartilage are recommended to be taken with meals
  3. Efficacious dosages in humans have not yet been established
  4. There is insufficient evidence to establish toxic dosage levels
  5. Acidic fruit juices may impair bioavailability of shark cartilage

2. ADVERSE EFFECTS
Which has NOT been reported as a potential adverse effect of shark cartilage:

  1. Allergy/sensitivity
  2. Gastrointestinal toxicity
  3. Transient hypotension
  4. Hypercalcemia
  5. Hypertension
  6. Seizure

3. DRUG/FOOD INTERACTIONS
Which of the following poses no risk of adverse effects when combined with shark cartilage:

  1. Thiazide diuretics
  2. Anti-hyperglycemic agents
  3. Calcium supplements
  4. Acidic fruit juices

4. CONTRAINDICATIONS
Shark cartilage is contraindicated in children due to theoretical risk of:

  1. Seizure
  2. Hypotensive effect
  3. Effects on blood sugar levels
  4. Impaired angiogenesis

5. CONTRAINDICATIONS
Shark cartilage is contraindicated in pregnant or lactating women due to risk of:

  1. Seizure
  2. Hypotension
  3. Impaired angiogenesis
  4. Hypertension
  5. Hyperglycemia

6. CONTRAINDICATIONS
Patients most directly at risk of adverse effects from shark cartilage are:

  1. Hypercalcemic
  2. Depressed
  3. Hypoglycemic
  4. Hypertensive
  5. Hypotensive

7. MECHANISMS OF ACTION
Basic animal research has suggested that each of the following may be a quality of shark cartilage EXCEPT:

  1. Anti-angiogenic
  2. Anti-tumor
  3. Anti-inflammatory
  4. Anti-hypertensive

8. MECHANISMS OF ACTION
Theoretically, the primary means by which shark cartilage might help in cancer is:

  1. Immunoenhancement
  2. Anti-angiogenesis to tumors
  3. Placebo effect
  4. Improved blood circulation

9. REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE
For which of the following conditions is there sufficient human data to recommend use of shark cartilage:

  1. None
  2. Cancer
  3. Psoriasis
  4. Macular degeneration
  5. Inflammation
  6. Chronic pain

10. LABORATORY INTERACTIONS
In theory, shark cartilage may confound results in laboratory tests of:

  1. HIV
  2. Cardiac ischemia
  3. Hypoglycemia
  4. Tumor necrosis factor
Answer Key:
  1. b
  2. f
  3. d
  4. d
  5. c
  6. a
  7. d
  8. b
  9. a
  10. b