What Is Shilajit? Top Shilajit Benefits & Uses
May 17, 2022
Shilajit is a powerful health supplement with a wide range of benefits. Shilajit is a Sanskrit name that translates as "destroyer of weakness." It is also commonly referred to as the "conqueror of mountains." Studies show that shilajit enhances nutrition, improves energy levels, regulates hormones, enhances immunity, and much more.
In this article, we will cover the diverse benefits of shilajit.
What Is Shilajit?
Shilajit is a sticky substance found in the high altitudes of the Himalayan mountains. It slowly forms over centuries from the decomposition of plants, forming a type of mineral-rich pitch that oozes out of the mountains in the summer months.
Shilajit resin is loaded with nutrients and contains over 80 carbon-bonded minerals. Shilajit is also rich in fulvic acid, a natural compound with many beneficial properties. It has been used as a Rasayana or rejuvenating herb in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years and continues to be used today for its medicinal properties.
What are the Uses of Shilajit?
Shilajit has many uses but is perhaps most commonly used for boosting energy and athletic performance. It may also enhance testosterone production in men. In addition, Shilajit is a dense source of trace minerals. Therefore, it is also commonly used as a nutritional supplement to improve overall health.
What Are the Benefits of Shilajit?
Because shilajit contains diverse nutrients and bioactive compounds, it also has many benefits. Some of the top shilajit benefits include:
1. Shilajit Is Highly Nutritious
Shilajit is a natural source of more than 84 carbon-bonded minerals. Supplementing with shilajit is a great way to ensure that your body meets its nutritional needs. Shilajit contains a high concentration of fulvic and humic acids and trace minerals like iron, copper, nickel, zinc, magnesium, potassium, sodium, manganese, iodine, sulfur, and more.
Minerals provide structure for our organs, tissues, and bones and are essential for health. Unfortunately, due to poor agriculture practices, most food today is severely lacking in minerals. Supplements like shilajit can help prevent mineral deficiencies by providing the body with essential minerals.
2. Shilajit Supports the Natural Detoxification of the Body†
Shilajit is high in fulvic and humic acids. These are substances produced by microorganisms in the soil that chemically bind to toxins in the body and help to enhance immune system health.
Fulvic acid is one of the most potent detoxifying agents found in nature. It helps the body detoxify at a cellular level. Due to its small molecular size, fulvic acid may penetrate cell membranes and bind to toxins and metals, helping to eliminate them from the body.†
Shilajit is also naturally high in dibenzo-a-pyrones, nutrients that contain potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
3. Shilajit May Boost Athletic Performance†
Shilajit may enhance energy levels and athletic performance. Of course, its mineral content plays a significant role in this. Still, studies on shilajit have found that it may also enhance blood flow and circulation.
Shilajit has vasodilating properties, which can cause your blood vessels to dilate. These properties can naturally increase blood flow, allowing the body to send more nutrients and oxygen to the body's many cells. This additional fuel may enhance energy levels and stamina and help you perform better in whatever you do physically.
A study observing a dose of 200 mg of shilajit showed that participants experienced a 13% increase in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. ATP is a fundamental unit of energy, and enhanced levels can provide more energy for the body.
4. Shilajit May Boost Testosterone Levels†
Many people use Shilajit for its testosterone-boosting properties. Testosterone is a primary male sex hormone involved in many body functions. However, testosterone production commonly declines with age or certain dietary or lifestyle factors. As a result, it can lead to loss of sexual drive and function, fatigue, hair loss, muscle loss, and much more.
In a 90-day placebo-controlled study involving men between the ages of 45 and 55, the results found that the group supplemented with shilajit had significantly higher testosterone levels than the placebo group.
5. Shilajit May Improve Fertility†
Shilajit has benefits for women as well. Some of the top shilajit benefits for women include enhancing fertility and supporting hormonal balance. The compounds in shilajit support the endocrine system and may help to regulate hormones.† As a result, shilajit may improve fertility.†
Studies show shilajit may enhance fertility in men. For example, one study examined 60 infertile men supplemented with shilajit twice a day for 90 days. At the end of the study, more than 60 percent of the participants showed an increase in total sperm count.
6. Shilajit Has Anti-Aging Properties
Shilajit has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may protect the body from cellular damage. Along with shilajit's high nutrient content, these properties make shilajit an excellent supplement for overall health, longevity, and slowing the aging process.
7. Shilajit May Improve Heart Health
Studies on shilajit suggest that it may improve heart health. This benefit is likely due to the previously discussed nitric oxide benefits. Shilajit may support blood vessel dilation, which is vital for cardiovascular health.
8. Shilajit May Lower Blood Pressure
Since shilajit is a vasodilator, it may lower blood pressure which could have many benefits and interfere with blood pressure medications. Consult a doctor before taking any dietary supplements, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions.
Blood pressure measures the force of blood on artery walls. Normal blood pressure is essential for the proper flow of blood from the heart to the body's organs and tissues. Low blood pressure may result in dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness. On the other hand, high blood pressure may cause serious health problems and even lead to more serious cardiovascular issues. Here at Zuma Nutrition, we are all about getting to the root cause of high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. If you would like to read more about lowering blood pressure naturally, read this blog.
9. Shilajit May Support Immune Function
Many of the nutrients and compounds found in shilajit have immune-supporting properties. The minerals, fulvic acid and humic acid in shilajit, help the body's natural immune response. One study found that shilajit could combat and kill many different viruses in isolated environments. The nutritional value of shilajit and its hormone regulating properties also have significant benefits to the immune system.
10. Shilajit May Enhance Brain Function
Studies on shilajit have found that it has neuroprotective properties and may be helpful for brain function. One study examining the compounds in shilajit stated that it might even help fight cognitive disorders.
Shilajit contains essential minerals that keep your brain cells healthy such as iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, and selenium. Minerals support many brain functions, including brain metabolism, learning, memory, and mood. The fulvic acid in shilajit also protects brain health with its free-radical scavenging and heavy-metal detoxifying properties.†
What Is the Best Way to Take Shilajit?
Shilajit is available in many forms today. Traditionally, in Ayurveda, the raw resin is eaten in small amounts. However, shilajit powder and shilajit capsules are widely available in modern times. As a raw resin or capsule, Shilajit is not bioavailable and must be eaten with a meal. The digestive process can break down the large molecules of shilajit, and some of it may be absorbed.
However, our Zuma Nutrition team has created a one-of-a-kind shilajit supplement as a liquid extract. We have used a natural and solvent-free emulsification process to break down the particle size into a liquid. As a result, our High Himalayan Shilajit Liquid Tonic is the most bioavailable shilajit you will find on the market. In addition, we have formulated it with additional trace ocean minerals to make this an incredibly nutrient-dense supplement.
This extract uses nano-technology to maximize the absorption and effectiveness of shilajit. There are several ways to reduce the particle size of shilajit to enhance its bioavailability. Our High Himalayan Shilajit Liquid Tonic uses a unique chemical-free method to break down the particle size of shilajit to below 5 microns.
For maximum purity, our shilajit is also wild-harvested from a pure source above 16,000 ft in the Indian Himalayas. Our low-heat, solvent-free extraction method (below 96°F) preserves the essential bioactive nutrients in this mineral-rich compound. We also process our shilajit formula in an FDA GMP and ISO 9001:2008 certified facility and use no fertilizers, chemicals, or pesticides in our formula.
It is essential to make sure you are getting it from a high-quality source for shilajit supplements. There are many shilajit supplements available, and the difference in the quality of shilajit supplements can vary greatly.
Is Shilajit Safe?
While shilajit is considered a safe supplement for most people, there are some possible side effects. Potential shilajit side effects include:
- Increasing uric acid levels in the body may affect conditions like gout
- May increase iron levels in the blood
- Shilajit may increase testosterone levels, which some groups may not desire
- Raw or unprocessed shilajit may potentially be contaminated with heavy metals or fungus—which is why it is crucial to get it from a quality source.
It is also not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women to take shilajit, as there is not enough research on its safety in these groups.
Summary
Shilajit is an amazing health supplement with many unique benefits. It contains over 84 carbon-bonded minerals and is naturally high in fulvic acid and humic acids—substances produced by microorganisms in the soil that chemically bind to toxins in the body and help to enhance immune system health.
Shilajit is a Sanskrit name that translates as "destroyer of weakness." It is also commonly referred to as the "conqueror of mountains." Shilajit has many health benefits. Some of the top shilajit benefits include:
- Supporting nutrition
- Detoxifying the body
- Boosting athletic performance
- Boosting testosterone levels
- Regulating hormones
- Improving fertility
- Increasing longevity
- Improving heart health
- Lowering blood pressure
- Improving immune function
- Enhancing brain function
Shilajit can be a beneficial supplement to include in your daily regimen and a great way to ensure your body gets essential minerals daily.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3326792/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296184/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6364418/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26395129/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609271/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30728074/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17295385/
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