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What is Shilajit?
What is this mysterious black supplement that everyone's talking about and why should I care?
Shilajit (pronounced shee-la-jee), is a popular Ayurvedic supplement that is incredibly rich in antioxidants and hosts a tonne of purported benefits. Benefits such as being the ultimate rejuvenator and anti-ager!
Shilajit is a resin and can be consumed in a tablet or powder form.
Predominantly sourced in the Himalayan mountains but also Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, Central Asia, Iran and Peru.
The reason that shilajit is so popular in Ayurvedic medicine is because of its ability to balance all of the "doshas" - vatta, kapha and pitta.
To go into Ayurvedic medicine and doshas, goes beyond the scope of this article so I will just keep it simple.
A "dosha" is believed to be a combination of each element - space, water, earth, fire and air and it is said to be responsible for who we are in the world (on a psychological, mental and emotional level).
You may be predominantly one dosha type (vatta, kapha or pitta) or you may have a few types but still be more predominantly one over the others.
If this dosha thing does not resonate with you that is totally ok but please stay with us because shilajit is not just about "balancing doshas", it's a serious supplement that means serious business!
What Does Shilajit Contain that Makes it So Great?
Have you heard of fulvic acid? It's been around forever but is now getting talked about.
Fulvic acid is formed (over centuries), when plant matter gets broken down by microorganisms. This acid is found in clay, sand, mountainous rocks and mud. You've likely heard of the amazing benefits of a mud bath yes?
Peat mud makes an especially beneficial mud bath as it is loaded with fulvic acid.
Depending on where the fulvic acid is sourced, it will have different properties. For example; fulvic acid found in Irish Peat moss will be very different from sand found in Iran or Shilajit found in Nepal.
Benefits Associated with Taking Fulvic Acid
Animal studies have suggested that fulvic acid may help with the following:
- Ulcers
- Allergies
- Eczema
- Anxiety & Memory
- GI function
- Immune response
- High altitude issues (hypoxia, tiredness and fatigue)
- Inflammatory diseases (such as diabetes)
- Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Dementia)
Nutrients Found in Fulvic Acid
- Trace minerals
- Electrolytes
- Fatty acids
- Silica (for collagen synthesis)
- Prebiotics and Probiotics
Fulvic acid is also very alkalising and absorbed well in the human body, this is because it has a very low molecular weight of 2,000 daltons.
The Potential Benefits of Shilajit (a rich source of fulvic acid)
Did you know, that shilajit has more antioxidants that noni berries and blueberries? It is fascinating to know how taking shilajit can positively impact the antioxidant enzymes in our body. Such as:
- Glutathione Peroxidase: This antioxidant enzyme significantly increased with shilajit supplementation over a period of time.
- Superoxide Dismutase: This antioxidant enzyme significantly increased with shilajit supplementation over a period of time.
These antioxidant enzymes (produced in our body) play a big role in defending from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can be catastrophic and so much so, that it has been said to be as harmful as cancer to the body, so finding ways to bring down oxidative stress is vital to one's longevity and wellness.
Taking in more antioxidants form food or food-based supplements is a wise strategy if you want to be healthy and live a long life. Remember though, that what we eat and take are just part of the big picture, you must strive to keep stress down, move your body, keep hydrated and rest.
Having a rich social life is important too for longevity and wellbeing, we must not forget the power of connection.
Purported Benefits of Shilajit
1. Supports Healthy Ageing: Shilajit may help promote longevity and healthy ageing. It contains many antioxidants that may help protect against cell damage and oxidative stress.
2. May Boost Immunity: Shilajit may help boost your immunity by providing immunity-supporting nutrients and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut.
3. May Supports Heart Health: Shilajit may help protect your heart by reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels, improving blood flow, and preventing oxidative damage.
4. May Improve Brain Function: Shilajit may help improve cognitive function and protect against neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
5. Enhances Athletic Performance: Shilajit may help enhance athletic performance by increasing energy levels and reducing fatigue.
6. Improves Digestion: Shilajit may help improve digestion by increasing the production of digestive enzymes and stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
7. May Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Shilajit may help reduce stress and anxiety by balancing hormones and increasing levels of the calming neurotransmitter GABA.
I hope you enjoyed today's article and learned a thing or two? Please share this article link with anyone you care about.
Your Health is Your Wealth!
Tam
Caution: Do not exceed the recommended dosage on the bottle and if you have an existing health condition or are feeling unsure, please seek the advice of a health practitioner who has experience and knowledge working with this substance.
References:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/fulvic-acid/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/fulvic-acid/
https://www.healthline.com/health/shilajit
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296184/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1050464816305009
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551541/
Disclaimer: the information in this article is intended purely as information and not health advice. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure and one should always seek expert advice from their trusted health practitioner.
