What Does Shilajit Do for the Body?

What Does Shilajit Do for the Body?

What Does Shilajit Do for the Body?

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Shilajit is used as an herbal supplement to improve symptoms of many ailments. Shilajit resin is rich in minerals, antioxidants, and beneficial metals that can help prevent and protect from diseases, improving the overall health of the body. However, despite what Ayurveda may say, most of Shilajit’s benefits do not have enough scientific evidence for their efficacy and safety.

Shilajit is available over the counter and it is marketed as a supplement. Consult your healthcare provider before using it for any therapeutic purposes. Avoid using it for prolonged periods, and report to your doctor if you notice side effects.

Nineteen Shilajit benefits may include:

  1. Brain function: The powerful antioxidant fulvic acid in Shilajit reduces inflammation, slows down the aging process, and prevents or slows down the progression of brain cell damage.
  2. Cognitive function: Fulvic acid in Shilajit is a strong antioxidant that improves cognitive functions because it prevents the accumulation of tau protein, a buildup of which may damage the brain cells, reducing cognitive functions, such as thinking, learning, understanding, justifying, listening, questioning, and paying attention to details.
  3. Alzheimer’s disease: Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder where a person has problems with thinking, memory, and behavior. The antioxidant effect of fulvic acid blocks the buildup of tau proteins that damage nerve cells and slows down aging of brain cells, improving cognitive functions, which in turn prevents or improves symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
  4. Aging: Shilajit contains high concentrations of fulvic and humic acids that act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, reducing free radicals, and lowering cellular damage in the body, thus improving the overall health and functionality of the cells, and slowing the aging process, as well as improving longevity.
  5. High cholesterol: A study reported a group given Shilajit showed a significant decrease in cholesterol and triglycerides compared with another group given a placebo.
  6. Heart health: Shilajit has cardioprotective properties since it relieves symptoms of palpitations and abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). It reduces the risk of heart disease because of its antioxidant properties that improve the health of cells, slow the aging process, and reduce cholesterol.
  7. Maintains healthy blood sugar levels in people with diabetes: Shilajit has hypoglycemic (glucose-lowering) properties. It increases the production of insulin by the pancreas and reduces the breakdown of starch into glucose.
  8. Anemia: It is a good source of iron that can help treat anemia (iron deficiency).
  9. Antiviral: Shilajit has a wide range of minerals and compounds that are believed to fight off viruses and boost the immune system. A study suggested that it may fight and kill viruses including the herpes virus.
  10. Chronic fatigue syndrome: A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2012 reported Shilajit reduced symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome because it reduces physical and mental stress. It improves cellular function and increases energy.
  11. Liver cancer: A study suggested Shilajit helped with the destruction of cancerous cells in the liver by preventing the cells from multiplying.
  12. Intestinal troubles: Shilajit’s anti-inflammatory and purifying properties suppress the growth of harmful bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori in the gut, prevent constipation, maintain healthy bowel movements, keep the colon healthy, and prevent stomach discomfort, flatulence, and pain.
  13. Male infertility: Studies have reported that intake of Shilajit showed a significant increase in total sperm count and improved production of male sex hormones, thus improving the health and motility of sperm and stamina in men. It’s also said to boost testosterone in men.
  14. Regulates periods: Shilajit balances female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone to help regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce menstrual cramps and pain by relaxing the muscles.
  15. Pain and inflammation: Shilajit has abundant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties, so it helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain. It was found to be effective against rheumatoid arthritis.
  16. Treats wounds and ulcers: Anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer characteristics of Shilajit help treat ulcers such as ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcers, canker sores, and mouth ulcers. It increases the regeneration of new cells and aids in wound healing.
  17. Relieves stress and anxiety: Shilajit has antidepressant properties that help calm the mind, and reduce anxiety symptoms, physical and mental stress, and irritability.
  18. Bone health: Shilajit may strengthen bones, increase bone density, and protect against osteoporosis. Post-menopausal women have estrogen deficiency that reduces bone density. By increasing estrogen levels, it can help relieve some symptoms of menopause.
  19. High-altitude sickness: Shilajit stimulates blood formation, enhances blood oxygen-carrying capability, and improves nutrient absorption. These properties can mitigate high-altitude symptoms such as low oxygen saturation (hypoxia), insomnia, appetite loss, headache, fatigue, pulmonary edema, and cerebral edema.

Ayurveda claims most of the above-mentioned benefits of Shilajit. However, despite Ayurvedic philosophy, extensive study is necessary to confirm all the potential health benefits.

Shilajit is marketed as an herbal product and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements stringently the way it regulates drugs. Its contents may not match what is mentioned on the label, and some products may be contaminated. Make sure you obtain Shilajit supplements from a trustworthy and reputed supplier who produces or sells contaminant-free good quality supplements.

This post was last modified on November 23, 2024 7:01 am