Shilajit Benefits, Side Effects, and Safety Advise

by Dr Peter Wilson
9 minutes read

Shilajit resin is a supplement that is largely utilized in Ayurveda. It is rich in antioxidants and might have additional benefits for some individuals, but evidence needs to be thoroughly conducted.

Shilajit is a thick brownish black paste that is found within the rocks of Himalayas and other mountain ranges. It is a product that has taken centuries to form from the gradual rottening of vegetation.

It is also common to use shilajit in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a relatively safe and competent supplement that is capable of enhancing one’s health and wellness.

Shilajit Benefits

1. To combat and delay the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease.

It is a progressive disease of the brain which impairs one’s ability to remember, think and carry out even the simplest of tasks including change in behaviour. Medication has been discovered which is known to lessen the indication of Alzheimer’s.

Related studies have shown that shilajit active compounds could have the capacity to prevent or delay the development of Alzheimer’s.

Based on research, fulvic acid, an active shilajit compound was discovered to combat cognitive decline caused by an accumulation of tau proteins, which are dominant in the nervous system that can be damaging if overproduced.

Scientists believe that the components existing in Shilajit may help in mediating the abnormal accumulation of tau protein and inflammation in the body, which could translate into improvement of Alzheimer’s symptoms. However, further studies and clinical tests are necessary.

2. Increase testosterone

Whether or not some men exhibit greater levels of hormones depends on a variety of biological and genetic factors. Low testosterone could be as a result of:

  • a lack of sexual desire
  • loss of hair
  • diminishing muscle volume
  • feeling excessively tired
  • growing body weight.

According to one Clinical Trial involving male volunteers ages 45-55, a placebo was administered to half of the participating volunteers while the other half was administered 250 (mg) dose of purified Shilajit two times per day.

After 90 days of administering the medication, it was revealed that there was a notable variation in the levels of testosterone of subjects who were intravenously given purified shilajit and those who had a placebo.

3. Cure chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a rare long-lasting condition which is characterized by persistent tiredness usually accompanied by get up struggles. It is a disorder that complicates attending employment or educational institutions and other simple activities. CFS appears to be balanced by shilajit supplements that increase a patient’s energy.

Defects in mitochondria have been documented in individuals who suffer from CFS. In most cases, this results from insufficient energy production in their cells.

A new study published in 2012 showed that rats were tested shilajit for a period of 21 days after which they were subjected to swimming for 15 minutes every day for 21 weeks. It was noted that shilajit had a CFS ameliorating effect. They hypothesize that this was due to shilajit reducing damages to vomiting experienced during CFS.

In this context, one could say that supplementing with shilajit is a natural way of boosting one’s mitochondrial function for enhanced energy.

4. Slow aging

It is believed by many that shilajit benefits with high content of an antioxidant and a friend of the aging process known as fulvic acid can help people live a longer life as well as protect them from liver and other diseases.

Thus, consuming shilajit on a regular basis is likely to increase lifespan, slow down aging, and improve health on the whole.

5. Reduce altitude sickness

An increase in living in higher acute sectors can cause symptoms such as the following:

  • Pulmonary edema
  • Sleep problems
  • Tiredness or fatigue or sluggish appearance
  • Any part of the body again may hurt.
  • The brain is known to deteriorate in high atmospheric pressure also known as dementia.
  • Iron deficiency anemia.
  • Hypoxic attacks.

High atmospheric pressure, a cold environment, and fast wind are all contributing factors to the disease known as altitude sickness. Many scientists are of the view that shilajit can boost your ability to survive in high altitude locations.

Shilajit contains fulvic acid and more than 84 minerals, so it offers numerous health shilajit benefits. That way it can act as an antioxidant, a metabolism booster, suppress inflammation processes to assist one’s memory, boost energy levels and act as a diuretic which eliminates excess fluid from the body.

Due to these benefits, it is believed that shilajit assists in alleviating several symptoms resulting from extreme altitude changes.

6. Treat iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia can occur due to a diet deficient in iron, loss of blood or poor iron absorption. The symptoms include:

  • Persistent fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Cold extremities
  • Headaches
  • Palpitations.

According to researchers, however, shilajit supplements might in the end improve the level of iron in the body.

A study was conducted whereby 18 rats were divided into three groups comprising of 6 each. Blood loss was simulated for the 2nd and 3rd groups who lost weight and suffered from anemia. For the 3rd group 500 mg of shilajit was given after 11 days.

All groups were then, on the 21st day, enrolled into the study where blood was assessed for features of hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cells in their systems. Findings revealed that rats in the third group had markedly higher levels of these components in comparison to those in the 2nd group.

7. Treat infertility

One of the more healthcare applications of Shilajit supplements is male infertility. Published in 2003, a Study where a group of 60 male participants who were infertile ingested shilajit twice a day for nine consecutive days. Over sixty percent of that group increased their overall sperm count at the end of the ninety day period.

Sourced Round Sleeves from the Internet more than 12% had an increase in sperm motility. Sperm motility is the term used to indicate the percentage of sperm in the sample that moves in a proper way with the aim of fertilizing an egg.

8. Support heart health

Another Shilajit benefits, as a dietary supplement, may have further benefits regarding the heart. Scientists sought the cardiac effects of shilajit in animal tests using laboratory rats.

In the experiment involving rats, there were some who received pretreatment with shilajit and others who were injected with isoproterenol to cause heart injury. The research found that there were fewer cardiac lesions in the hearts of rats that were given shilajit before the heart injury.

You shouldn’t take Shilajit if there is fresh heart disease in your body.

9. Help improve bone density in females

Many females assigned at birth begin to lose bone mass, which makes bones weaker during menopause.

Shilajit as per study in average of 2022 may be more beneficial in increasing the density of bones in the postmenopausal female in cases where the women has experienced a loss of minerals in their bones.

Some of the Side Effects of Shilajit

Due to shilajit remaining under-resourced, safety thereof is not widely known. But, in as much as caution is taken, there are shilajit adverse effects to consider which include the following.

It is suggested by animal model studies, that Shilajit has the ability to increase iron levels. Until more human-derived investigations are completed, it is recommended that people with disorders like hemochromatosis (which is caused by an overload of iron in the bloodstream) should stay away from this supplement due to safety concerns.

Shilajit concentrates and modifies the body’s hormonal substance which includes increasing the amount of total testosterone in the body.

Problems may arise from the consuming of Raw or unpurified shilajit as it has some unwanted metals and/or fungi that can nauseate someone.

Safety Advise

The likelihood of supplement-drug interaction is low but not impossible as drug-drug interaction is not well researched.

It is best practicing not to give children or pregnant/breastfeeding women any shilajit form. Having Sex or testosterone worries it is highly advised not to take this sage supplement as aforementioned.

It’s important to note the tip that appears at the beginning of the article. It will be necessary to assess it with the health professional as it highlights the dose of the different ingredients in the product. In a country like the US, Shilajit is banned as it would cause issues with drugs, other supplements, and food.

Dosage: How Much Shilajit Should You Take?

However, you have taken the liberty not to acknowledge Shilajit being medical advice. Talking about the dosage, one should first and foremost advise and discuss this with their healthcare provider.

There’s hardly any research on Shilajit so there is no reason or scientific logic for recommending a specific dosage. However, it must be noted that the use of Shilajit interchangeably in some studies led to the subjects being under assessments of medical professionals.

At the same time, more research on Shilajit and dosage concerning certain groups and categories of people and their requirements will be greatly beneficial.

Sources Of Shilajit and How To Use It

There are many forms to consume shilajit such as resins, capsules, powders and gummies. The substance is often dark in color but can regularly be found in many other colors and has a distinctive smell.

Resin is a thick liquid whose taste might be offensive to few people but can be ingested. Honey, warm tea, fruit juice are other options for mixing it up to increase the chances of being palatable.

Different supplements consist of varying quantities of ashwagandha either by itself or with other nutrients. It is because of these alterations that you are supposed to stick to the directions given about the dosage of the supplement you use.

Some products should be avoided as they might contain high amounts of dangerous heavy metals. Other metallic substances which are represented as purified would still contain contaminants.

A number of fakes exist out there and so far no valid proof has been provided on which form appears to be the best. Additionally, this or any other supplement comes along with a safety warning. It is to be noted that promoting such supplements as treatment medicine for diseases is prohibited.

Final words

Shilajit, a time-honored remedy in Ayurvedic medicine, offers a myriad of potential health benefits. Shilajit, which is a resin that is rich in minerals, has been used for a long time in the Ayurvedic healing process. With some of the recent studies in place, Shilajit can possibly be effective in treating mild Alzheimer’s disease, however, further studies are required. As of now, these studies are limited to only animal subjects. More clinical trials with human participation in them are required to know the proper dosage and understand the results.

One of the various shilajit effects that can be experienced and that are recommended are due the lack of research which suggests iron overload and hormone alterations. It is advised that you consult your healthcare provider before using shilajit for any medical purposes, keeping in mind that shilajit like most supplements is not approved by FDA.

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