Shiliajit has become more popular over the past few years and for good reason. As the authors of a review called the Therapeutic Potential of Fulvic Acid in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and Diabetes, noted, “Chronic inflammatory diseases like diabetes are on a rise in the Western world. Based on the tsunami of new cases every year, new therapeutic measures must be considered.
A promising avenue might involve the attenuation of underlying inflammation through natural health products (NHPs). This is because most NHPs have a rich history in traditional medicine and might be considered safer under appropriate doses and conditions.”
SHILAJIT IS RICH IN FULVIC ACID
The same review went on to write, “Fulvic acid (FvA), one such NHP, comes from humic substances produced by microorganisms in soil. Traditional medicine and modern research claim FvA can modulate the immune system, influence the oxidative state of cells, and improve gastrointestinal function; all of which are hallmarks of diabetes.”
HOW HUMANS DISCOVERED SHILAJIT
While researching Shilajit benefits, I came across a really interesting story (with citations) about how humans came to discover it and it’s really fascinating, so I’d love to share it with you. It comes from the students at the ,California College of Ayurveda.
Shilajit is a “thick, blackish-brown, sticky substance made from plants and organic matter that have been trapped by many layers of rocks over millions of years in the areas surrounding India, China, Tibet, Nepal, Pakistan, Central Asia and Scandinavia.
First “discovered by Himalayan villagers, they would observe large white monkeys gather and journey to the mountain tops each summer. The monkeys were frequently seen eating a soft, black substance that the villagers eventually realized came from the Himalaya Mountains. The villagers then started consuming this organic matter.
It didn’t take long for them to realize Shilajit’s amazing healing powers of both physical and mental health, as well as increased muscle and bone strength and the potential of increased longevity.
The extreme variations of hot and cold weather combined with the massive pressure from the weight of the mountains creates the mineral rich matter to flow out of the rocks. In some areas, foot-long scorpions will sting the rocks and the poison that is dispersed causes the shilajit to flow out of the rocks.
There are four different types of Shilajit: Copper (Tamra) that is blue in color, Silver (Rajat) which is white in color, Gold (Sauvarna) that is red in color, and Iron (Lauha) which is blackish brown in color and is the kind that is used for healing.”
HOW SHILAJIT IMPROVES CHRONIC FATIGUE SYMPTOMS
According to the, International Journal of Alzheimer’s, “researchers hypothesize that Shilajit is produced by the decomposition of plant material from species such as Euphorbia royleana and Trifolium repens. This decomposition seems to occur through centuries, and on this basis, shilajit is considered a millenary product of nature.”
Shilajit is abundant in minerals.
According to Healthline, “It can function as an antioxidant to improve your body’s immunity and memory, an anti-inflammatory, an energy booster, and a diuretic to remove excess fluid from your body.”
The most interesting information I found came from Dr. Axe, a leading authority on nutrition and health. He states that Shilajit can provide both energy and relaxation!
“One way shilajit helps provide the body with energy is the way it increases the function of mitochondria within the body. Mitochondria are organelles that serve as the “power source” of cells in the body because they convert oxygen and nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the substance that actually powers body cells. Shilajit encourages the function of mitochondria, helping them oxygenate more efficiently.
Not only does it help mitochondrial function on its own, but it’s been found to create a powerful effect on mitochondrial oxygenation when combined with supplemented CoQ10, an antioxidant naturally found in all human cells.
As this substance helps increase the production of ATP, it increases overall energy and stamina. In fact, it’s commonly used to enhance athletic performance.
Chronic fatigue syndrome, a disorder classified by at least six months of inescapable fatigue, has been successfully treated with shilajit supplementation, also evidenced by the way it enhances mitochondrial function,” writes Dr. Axe.
