A study published in the journal Marine Drugs links the consumption of shark fin and shark products, including dietary supplements, to neurodegenerative diseases in humans including Alzheimer’s and Lou Gehrig Disease. This is due to the presence of high concentrations of a neurotoxin called BMAA in the shark products. The study was carried out by scientists from the University of Miami, and is reported on the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science’s blog. Most significantly, the study suggests:

“That consumption of shark fin soup and cartilage pills may pose a significant health risk for degenerative brain diseases.”