Is Shilajit A Miracle Compound?
Hello, I am Julie Donaldson and I am a clinical nutritionist with functional medicine training. I specialize in restoring balance in complex, chronic and acute health conditions. I welcome you to peruse other articles that may be of interest to you in your health investigation!
“I had never heard of shilajit before, and I have never had the experience of such attention to my personal health situation before! What I did have were countless people giving me a standard approach. Don’t be misled by how “popular” a practitioner is - what you need is for a person like Julie to know who you are and what you need! She is simply the best - decades of experience and a heart of gold.”
Shilaljit is a very unique compound, and may be a quiet miracle in a multitude of healing situations. It has been used for over 3,000 years in Ayurvedic medicine. At True Nature, it is a common inclusion in our holistic health approaches. With everything from poor gut health, cardiovascular disease, pain, brain inflammation, and anxiety to low energy, histamine/mast cell imbalances and musculoskeletal problems, shilajit can be a right inclusion for your healing. Translation of the Sanskrit word means “Conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness”! Let’s talk more about it.
Shiljait exudate
What is shilajit?
Shilajit is a blackish brown rock exudate (oozing substance) that is found in some mountain ranges, especially in the Himilayan and Hindukush ranges. It is composed of fulvic acid (the primary biologically active compound) held together with triterpinoic (steroidal) compounds, specialized structural and mast cell protective proteins, and the amino acids glycine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid.
Fulvic acid is a chemical compound that’s formed when microorganisms in soil break down plant material over long periods of time. In some cases, this process can take centuries. Fulvic acid forms in clay, sand, mountain rocks and mud.
The rediscovery of the power of shilajit is said to have been made by Himalayan villagers observing large white monkeys migrate to the mountains in the warm summer months. The monkeys were seen to be chewing a semi-soft substance that flowed from layers of rock. The villagers attributed the monkeys’ great strength, longevity and wisdom to the strange substance. They began to consume it themselves and reported a broad spectrum of improvements in health. It seemed to give them more energy, relieve digestive problems, increase sex drive, improve memory and cognition, improve diabetes, reduce allergies and improve the overall quality and quantity of life.
A number of illnesses and conditions have been researched to be positively impacted by shilajit, including Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, fertility and energy depletion. Let’s dive into these areas.
Shilajit and cholesterol concentrations
Shilajit has lipid-reducing capacities. Of the many significant studies on shilajit and the major diseases of our time was done on the effects of reducing high cholesterol. The study results showed that (in otherwise healthy adults) Shilajit was able to reduce triglycerides by 21.7%, LDL-C by 22.6%, vLDL-C by 20.6%, and increase HDL-C by 5.8%. (Note that triglycerides are the main cholesterol marker associated with risks of cardiovascular disease and fatty liver disease. This result is a powerful one in the war on elevated triglycerides.)
Shilajit and antioxidant support
The same study referenced above shows its effects of shilajit on the antioxidants serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), vitamin E and vitamin C. SOD is one of the important antioxidant enzymes which removes the super oxide radical in the front line of defense against oxidative stress. (You may read more about oxidative stress here, in the 2nd section of the article.)
Vitamins E and C are important nutrient antioxidants which prevent lipid peroxidation. In the study, shilajit significantly increased the levels of all three of these antioxidants. The authors suggest that shilajit’s “sparing” effect on antioxidants as well as the strengthening of systems that prevent damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) are provided by fulvic acid. Fulvic acid acts as a bi-directional super antioxidant with its ability to donate electrons as well as accept electrons depending upon the need for balance in the situation. When shilajit encounters free radicals with unpaired positive electrons, it supplies equal and opposite negative electrons to neutralize. Equally, when encountering free radicals with negative charge, shilajit can supply the positive electrons needed for nullification. These are highly intelligent capacities.
Shilajit and fertility
Here is another tie to the above topic on shilajit and antioxidant support. In a study of infertile men, shilajit dosing accomplished a reduction in oxidative stress in their sperm. It was also attributed with increases in total and normal sperm counts, motility, and the production of testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone. Additionally, concomitant decreases in pus and epithelial (immune inflammatory) cell counts were observed, compared with baseline values.
In another study, female rats fed 25, 50, and 100mg/kg shilajit daily for 6 weeks, shilajit was associated with more rats in estrus and having stimulating properties on oocytes and ovulation frequency.
Many in the True Nature have been supported to healthy fertility by our methods. This evidence on shiljait brings yet more possibilities to the table.
Shilajit and high altitude sickness
Yet another study shows shilajit’s ability to help resolve the symptoms of high altitude sickness. These include exhaustion, insomnia, dementia, pain/headaches and shortness of breath.
Shilajit, muscle integrity and osteoporosis
Muscle integrity
Further information shows promising results in the treatment of osteoporosis and associated bone loss. (For extensive information on bone health, please read here.) Its ability to promote osteoblasts is key.
In this study, shilajit had a dramatic impact upon muscle integrity. The study provided new evidence that oral shilajit supplementation in adult overweight/class I obese human subjects promoted skeletal muscle adaptation through upregulation of ECM-related genes that control muscle mechanotransduction properties, elasticity, repair, and regeneration.
Shilajit and diabetes
When combined with numerous Ayurvedic adaptogenic ingredients, shilajit has been studied to contribute to healing of the pancreas, including a significant increase in islet number and beta cell count as well as blood glucose homeostasis through the increase of insulin secretion.
Shilajit and pain
One of the first significant studies on shilajit and pain showed significant pain reduction in the face and jaw with supplementation. This appears to be due to its activating effects upon GABA and glycine receptors. GABA and glycine are the chief inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain stem) that regulate the excitability throughout the nervous system.
Shilajit, the brain and neuroprotection
Yet another fascinating effect is that of shilajit on brain health/cell growth and neuroprotection. Its ability to improve cognition has also been shown. With neurodegenerative diseases on the rise, shilajit becomes an important consideration in therapeutic applications for both prevention and treatment.
Shilajit and energy
Still needing more reasons to try this amazing supplement?! How about energy production? When combined with CoQ 10, shilajit produced an increase in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in the mitochondria. A specific compound called dibenzo-a-pryone is involved in this reaction and is also known to be mast cell protective. For those with histamine and mast cell imbalances, shilajit is an excellent supplement choice.
Improvement in the energy generating process in animals by shilajit indicates that it is acting in tandem with CoQ 10 in the mitochondria.
We talk a lot about ATP at True Nature. We work with personalized nutrition (Metabolic Typing®) that finely tunes your needs and optimizes ATP. ATP is the “gas” to every one of your body’s cells, no matter what organ or system it is part of. Digestion, cell repair, new cell development, detoxification and immune function are some of the many functions in your body that are dependent upon ATP. Optimal levels are key to optimal health.
Shilajit and detox/binding
One of the reasons that shilajit is such a powerful healing substance is that it is packed with beneficial minerals, including silica, iron, calcium, copper, lithium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, sodium, and zinc - many of these minerals are also cofactors for healthy methylation/detoxification. Fulvic acid is also a binder for heavy metals and bio toxins.
Shilajit and gut health
Other research shows that shilajit improves gut health and integrity by positively affecting the microbiome as well as fortifying the mucosal barrier. As we know, gut health is key to overall health and control of inflammatory processes in the body and especially in the immune system. Absorption of nutrients and enzyme activity are improved in its presence.
Shilajit as an adaptogenic substance
An adaptogenic substance is defined by the following characteristics:
Has a normalizing effect on a wide range of bodily functions
Has a nonspecific action that helps the body overcome stress regardless of the direction of stress
Is nontoxic when used in a normal dosage
As an adaptogen, shilajit also has the potential to moderate anxiety.
While more and more studies will appear on the powerful, potential miraculous quality of shilajit, empirically in practice, I witness this everyday. The wide range of functions it can impact along with its ability to work synergistically with a huge array of other compounds makes shilajit something almost anyone can benefit from. In addition to the conditions above, I have utilized shilajit with gut dysfunction, skin conditions and mold sickness. Whatever your health concerns and personalized needs, shilajit will “boost” the actions of your program.
It is important to have a high quality product and to know how to use it. There are little to no side effects and few contraindications, but the careful attention of a trained practitioner is always advisable. Shilajit comes in capsule and resin forms - for the latter, you’ve got to stomach a very strong taste! Email me today at Julie@truenaturehealthconsulting.com to get more details and decide what is right for you. We provide holistic telehealth services.