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Shea

Also known as: Shea, shea butter, shea nut oil, shea nut oil extract, SheaFlex75, Vitellaria paradoxa

Overview

Shea is a natural plant-derived supplement extracted from the nuts of the shea tree (*Vitellaria paradoxa*), native to Africa. It is primarily known for its rich content of triterpenes, fatty acids, and other bioactive compounds. Traditionally, shea butter has been widely used topically for its moisturizing and skin barrier repair properties. More recently, research has begun to explore oral supplementation, particularly with shea nut oil triterpene concentrate (e.g., SheaFlex75), for its potential anti-inflammatory and joint health benefits. While topical applications have a long history of use, high-quality clinical trials supporting these uses are limited. Emerging clinical research, including some randomized controlled trials in animal models, suggests a role for oral shea in modulating inflammatory pathways, particularly in conditions like osteoarthritis. The research maturity level for oral supplementation is still emerging, with moderate quality evidence primarily from preclinical studies, and a scarcity of human clinical trials and systematic reviews.

Benefits

Oral supplementation with shea nut oil triterpene concentrate (SheaFlex75) has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects in an animal model of osteoarthritis (OA). A controlled study with 32 rats showed that oral SheaFlex75, administered over 10 weeks, significantly reduced joint swelling and improved weight-bearing function, with histological evidence of cartilage protection. This suggests a potential benefit for individuals with osteoarthritis or joint inflammation, though human clinical trial data are currently lacking to confirm these effects and establish precise effect sizes. While shea butter is widely recognized for its skin barrier repair and moisturizing effects, high-quality randomized controlled trials on its topical use are limited in the current literature. The primary evidence for oral shea's benefits comes from preclinical studies, indicating a need for further human research to validate these findings and determine clinical significance.

How it works

The anti-inflammatory effects of shea are primarily attributed to its triterpene compounds, which are believed to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators. These triterpenes interact with the body's inflammatory pathways, particularly in joints, potentially leading to a reduction in cartilage degradation. While specific molecular targets in humans are still being fully elucidated, the mechanism likely involves the modulation of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β. Oral bioavailability of these triterpenes has been demonstrated in animal models, allowing them to exert systemic effects. However, human pharmacokinetic data are limited, and further research is needed to fully understand the absorption and metabolic pathways in humans.

Side effects

Shea nut oil and shea butter are generally considered safe, with a long history of topical use. For oral supplementation, safety data are limited, but animal studies have not reported significant adverse effects at the tested doses. Common side effects for oral supplementation have not been reported in animal studies, and high-quality human studies are needed to assess this. Topical use of shea may rarely cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, but this is uncommon. There are no documented drug interactions with shea. Contraindications include known hypersensitivity to shea or related plant products. Safety in special populations such as pregnant or lactating women, or children, has not been well studied, and caution is advised. Overall, while topical shea is well-tolerated, more comprehensive safety data are required for oral supplementation in humans.

Dosage

The minimum effective dose for oral shea has been observed in rat studies, where 223.2 mg/kg of SheaFlex75 was effective in an osteoarthritis model. However, human equivalent doses have not yet been established due to a lack of human clinical trials. Consequently, optimal dosage ranges and maximum safe doses for oral shea supplementation in humans are currently unknown. In animal studies, benefits for joint health appeared after approximately 10 weeks of continuous oral administration. For topical use, shea butter is applied as needed for skin moisturizing and barrier repair. Oral absorption of triterpenes from shea nut oil has been demonstrated in animal models, but human data on absorption factors are limited. No specific cofactors have been identified as necessary for shea's efficacy.

FAQs

Is shea effective for joint pain?

Animal studies suggest potential anti-inflammatory and joint-protective benefits, but human clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy for joint pain in humans.

Is topical shea butter beneficial?

Shea butter is widely used for skin hydration and barrier repair, but high-quality clinical trials specifically on its topical benefits are limited in current research.

Is oral shea safe?

Animal studies show oral shea is safe at tested doses. However, human safety data are limited, and more research is needed to confirm its safety in humans.

How long does it take to see effects from oral shea?

Animal data suggest that benefits for joint health may appear after approximately 10 weeks of continuous oral supplementation.

Can shea replace conventional medical treatments?

There is no evidence to suggest that shea can replace conventional medical treatments. It may be considered as an adjunctive therapy, but always consult a healthcare professional.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6474620/ – This randomized controlled trial in a rat osteoarthritis model investigated the effects of 10-week oral administration of SheaFlex75. The study found that SheaFlex75 significantly reduced knee joint swelling and improved weight-bearing function, with histological evidence of cartilage protection, suggesting anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic potential. While well-designed, its primary limitation is being an animal study, meaning human data are still needed.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1035674/full – This source is a review related to public health and does not specifically cover shea supplementation. It was cited as an example of related umbrella reviews that do not include shea, indicating a gap in comprehensive reviews for this specific supplement.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12028138/ – This source is a review related to public health and does not specifically cover shea supplementation. It was cited as an example of related umbrella reviews that do not include shea, further highlighting the lack of systematic reviews on shea.
https://www.cochrane.org/authors/handbooks-and-manuals/handbook/current/chapter-v – This source refers to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. It was cited to indicate the standard for high-quality evidence, implicitly suggesting that such rigorous reviews are currently lacking for shea supplementation.