Shilajit: A Natural Rasayana

Shilajit, also known as Asphaltum, Black Bitumen, Silaras, salajit, and shilajatu, is a blackish-brown powder or an exudate from high mountain rocks especially in the Himalayas. Shilajit, sometimes mentioned as a mineral tar or resin, is a highly viscous substance readily soluble in water. Though it is now obtained from many other countries, Shilajit was traditionally sourced in India and Tibet. The health benefits of shilajit differ from region to region, depending on the place from which it is extracted.

Molecular Composition of Shilajit

Shilajit is mainly composed of substances such as fulvic acids, humic acid, and some trace elements, including selenium. The fulvic acid in shilajit is known for its strong antioxidant activity and has a systemic effect as a complement activator. Shilajit also contains many other compounds, including ellagic acid, gums, resins, latex, amino acids, and polyphenols.

Traditional Uses of Shilajit

Shilajit has been used in Ayurveda for ages as a rasayana, rejuvenator, and anti-ageing agent. In Indian traditional medicine, it is used as 'yogavaha', means a synergistic enhancer of other drugs. Organic components of shilajit help transport different mineral substances to their cellular targets. Traditionally, shilajit is consumed by people from North India and Nepal, particularly Sherpas (mountain climbers), as part of their diet, as it enhances health and longevity. Common uses of shilajit include the prevention of Alzheimer's disease, genitourinary disorders, digestive disorders, jaundice, enlarged spleen, epilepsy, nervous disorders, chronic bronchitis, and anaemia. Shilajit is also useful for treating kidney stones, oedema, haemorrhoids, reducing anorexia, and as an internal antiseptic.

Novel Investigations of Shilajit

Shilajit has great potential uses in certain diseases due to its various properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, antifungal, antidiabetic, anxiolytic, antiallergic, analgesic, cognitive memory enhancer, and immunomodulatory properties. Shilajit also possesses the ability to interact positively with other drugs, protects at high altitudes, acts as a neuroprotective agent against cognitive disorders.

Potential Benefits of Shilajit

Shilajit has several health benefits due to the high concentration of fulvic and many minerals found in it. Some benefits are mentioned below:

Shilajit for Improving Brain Function and Alzheimer's

Shilajit contains numerous compounds that are helpful for brain function and cognitive control disorders, such as Alzheimer's. Shilajit prevents or slows the progression of Alzheimer's, a progressive type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. According to a report published in the International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, the fulvic acid found in shilajit helps block the buildup of tau, a type of protein. Tau is a crucial marker of Alzheimer's disease that forms neurofibrillary tangles (twisted clusters of dead and dying nerve cells), and the accumulation of tau protein triggers brain cell damage. By inhibiting the abnormal buildup of tau protein and reducing inflammation, shilajit potentially improves Alzheimer's symptoms.

Anti-Ageing Ability of Shilajit

Shilajit is rich in fulvic acid that is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It protects against free radicals and cellular damage, which are key factors in ageing. Regular use of shilajit contributes to overall vitality, longevity, a slower ageing process, and better health.

Shilajit Role in Anaemia

A low-iron diet, blood loss, or inability to absorb iron due to any reason lead to iron deficiency anaemia that causes many symptoms, including weakness, fatigue, cold hands and feet, headache, and irregular heartbeat. Shilajit contains humic acid and iron; therefore, shilajit supplements gradually increase iron levels, which help treat iron-deficiency anemia.

Shilajit Role in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder that causes extreme tiredness or fatigue. In chronic fatigue syndrome, body cells do not produce enough energy due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Studies suggest that shilajit helps reduce symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome by improving cell functions and restoring energy levels naturally. Shilajit also reduces anxiety and protects against oxidative stress.

Shilajit Benefits in High Altitude Sickness

At high altitudes, changes in pressure can cause body pain, fatigue, lung congestion, and low oxygen in the brain. Symptoms of altitude sickness can be triggered by low atmospheric pressure, cold temperature, or high wind velocity. Studies show that shilajit helps overcome high altitude sickness symptoms as it contains fulvic acid and more than 80 different minerals. Due to this broad spectrum of beneficial components, shilajit offers numerous health benefits and helps to reduce many symptoms of altitude sickness. It improves the brain's cognitive functions, boosts the immune system, and reduces inflammation, thus lessening altitude sickness.

Shilajit as Anticancer

Shilajit has an anti-cancer effect against liver cancer. Studies show that shilajit helps destroy cancerous cells in the liver and stops these cancer cells from multiplying. Shilajit also helps reduce side effects of chemotherapy as it contains fulvic and humic acid, which are powerful antioxidants and help scavenge the free radicals.

Shilajit Effect on Heart

Shilajit protects the heart and improves heart health. Studies show that regular use of shilajit protects against cardiac injury. Shilajit also significantly helps decrease cholesterol and triglycerides levels, thus reducing the risk of developing heart disease.

Benefits of Shilajit in Obesity

Being overweight puts stress on the bones and tires the muscles. Studies prove that obese people using shilajit respond better to exercise than those who do not. Research shows that shilajit activates genes in the body that help the skeletal muscles quickly adapt to the new workout leading to less fatigue and more strength over time.

Shilajit Role in Infertility

Shilajit is a safe supplement for increasing fertility. Studies have proven that Shilajit increases total sperm count and sperm motility. Regular use of shilajit also shows a significant improvement in total testosterone levels.

Antiviral Role of Shilajit

Shilajit helps fight against viruses due to the wide range of minerals and compounds found in it. Studies show that shilajit usage fights off and kills different viruses, including some herpes viruses.

Possible Side Effects of Shilajit

Shilajit is safe as a dietary supplement for long-term use. However, there are some concerns and possible side effects, such as:

• Unprocessed or raw shilajit should be avoided as it may lead to risks of intoxication due to the presence of mycotoxins, heavy metals, oxidant agents, and free radicals.



• People with active heart disease or hypotension should avoid taking shilajit to prevent a further drop in blood pressure.



• Shilajit increases iron levels in the body, so it should be avoided in conditions like an excess of iron in the blood or hemochromatosis.



• Shilajit may cause a significant increase in total testosterone, free testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and may alter the body's hormone levels.



• Breastfeeding or pregnant women and children should not use shilajit.

Conclusion

Shilajit is a potent and very safe dietary supplement, restoring the energy balance and potentially able to prevent several diseases. Recent research points to an interesting medical application towards controlling cognitive disorders associated with ageing. Fulvic acid, the main active ingredient of shilajit, helps in Alzheimer's treatment by blocking the buildup of tau, a type of protein, which is a crucial marker of Alzheimer's disease. In essence, this is a nutraceutical product of demonstrated benefits for human health.