<P> Shark liver oil is an oil obtained from the livers of sharks . It has been used for centuries as a folk remedy to promote the healing of wounds and as a remedy for respiratory tract and digestive system problems . It is still promoted as a dietary supplement, and additional claims have been made that it can treat other maladies such as cancer, HIV, radiation illness, swine flu and the common cold . To date, none of these claims has been medically validated and shark liver oil (alone) is not a medication prescribed or utilized by American physicians . However, it is a component of some moisturizing skin lotions, and some hemorrhoid medications . </P> <P> Many fish maintain buoyancy with swim bladders . However sharks lack swim bladders, and maintain their buoyancy instead with large livers that are full of oil . This stored oil may also function as a nutrient when food is scarce . Deep sea sharks are usually targeted for their oil, because the livers of these species can account for up to 5 - 10% of their total weight . </P> <P> A principal component of many shark oils is squalene, a triterpenoid (C H), ranging up to 90% of the oil, depending on the species . In Centrophorus species squalene may account for 15% of the total body weight . Pristane, another terpenoid (C H), is often a minor component, ranging up to nearly 8% of the oil . </P>

What is the function of a sharks liver
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