Shilajit, also known as mineral pitch, is produced by breaking down plant matter and minerals over time. It's a tar-like, sticky substance that comes from high mountain range rocks. Shilajit was once only available in India and Tibet, but it is now available in many other nations. Shilajit has been utilized in Ayurvedic medicine in India for millennia, and the components found in it appear to be effective for a variety of ailments¹.

Shilajit is a mineral-rich blackish-brownish resin found in layers of rock in various mountain ranges across the world, including the Himalayan, Tibetan, and Altai highlands. Shilajit is assumed to be formed in part by the decomposition of certain plants and contains fulvic acid, an essential chemical.

 

Benefits of Shilajit

 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition defined by excessive exhaustion that is not caused by a medical disease. Shilajit may help in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, according to a preliminary rat study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2012.

Scientists discovered that administering shilajit to laboratory rats for 21 days influenced various processes involved in the body's energy production. The medication also appeared to reduce anxiety and protect against oxidative damage.

 

 

Alzheimer's disease

Shilajit has shown potential as a therapy for Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative form of dementia that affects memory, cognitive, and behavioral impairments. The fulvic acid found in shilajit may help block the accumulation of tau, a specific protein that forms neurofibrillary tangles and is considered a key marker of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, as per a study published in the International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Furthermore, additional study is required to evaluate shilajit's efficacy as an Alzheimer's disease treatment².

 

Infertility

Shilajit is also an effective treatment for infertility in males. In one trial, 60 infertile men were given shilajit twice daily post meals for 90 days. More than 60% of research subjects saw an increase in total sperm count at the conclusion of the 90-day period. Sperm motility increased in more than 12% of the participants. Sperm motility is a term that describes the capacity of sperm in a sample to move about freely, which is a key aspect of fertility.

 

Heart health

Using shilajit as a dietary supplement may also help with heart health. Shilajit's cardiac function was evaluated on lab rats by researchers. Some rats were injected with isoproterenol to produce cardiac damage after having a shilajit pretreatment. According to the study, shilajit was given to rats before cardiac injury showed fewer cardiac lesions. 

 

Low testosterone level

The main sex hormone of males is testosterone. The level of testosterone varies in men. The following are the signs of low testosterone. 

• More body fat 
• Hair loss 
• Fatigue 
• Low sex drive 
• Loss of muscle mass 

Half of the male volunteers in one clinical investigation between the ages of 45 and 55 were given a placebo and the other half were given a 250 milligram (mg) dosage of pure shilajit twice a day. The study discovered that those who took pure shilajit had considerably greater testosterone levels than those who took a placebo after 90 days³.

 

Manages Diabetes

Shilajit's exceptional hypoglycaemic characteristic aids in the regulation of blood glucose and lipid profiles in diabetic patients, especially when used in conjunction with diabetes medicines. When you take shilajit formulations, the pancreatic-cells' insulin synthesis gets active. It aids in the reduction of starch digestion into glucose, resulting in lower blood glucose levels.

 

Remedies Pain and Inflammation

Shilajit's bioactive components include an excess of anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic capabilities, making it the best option for arthritis pain and inflammation alleviation. It is also very helpful for rheumatoid arthritis, which is referred to in Ayurveda as Amavata. 

 

Treats Wounds and Ulcers

The anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory characteristics of the bioactive components of Shilajit are extremely important in the treatment of ulcers such as ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcers, canker sores, and mouth ulcers, among others. It also encourages tissue regeneration, which aids wound healing. 

 

Shilajit Dosage

Shilajit's effective therapeutic dosage varies from person to person, based on the patient's age, strength, appetite effects, severity, and condition. It is strongly advised to seek the advice of an Ayurveda doctor or practitioner, who will assess the patient's symptoms, past medical history, and prescribe an effective dose for a certain time period.

 

Shilajit Side-effects

Despite the fact that the mineral has been widely studied and researched and is incredibly effective in the treatment of a variety of health disorders, it is still required to ingest the formulation in the appropriate dosage as advised by an Ayurvedic practitioner or doctor. It can cause issues if used in high amounts.  Burning sensations in the feet, extreme heat across the body, frequent urination, itching, hives, dizziness, or an elevated heart rate are all examples of allergic responses⁴.

 

References

 

1. Ten benefits of shilajit. [Internet]. [Cited 2021 June 3]; Available from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320318
2. The Health Benefits of Shilajit. [Internet]. [Cited 2021 June 3]; Available from https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-shilajit-89514
3. Benefits of Shilajit. [Internet]. [Cited 2021 June 3]; Available from https://www.healthline.com/health/shilajit#benefits
4. Shilajit: Benefits, Uses, Formulations, Ingredients, Method, Dosage and Side Effects. [Internet]. [Cited 2021 June 3]; Available from https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/shilajit-benefits-uses-formulations-ingredients-method-dosage-and-side-effects

 

 

 

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