Shilajit may be one of the world’s most unique substances.

It is formed by the compression of organic material between layers of rock over hundreds or thousands of years. During the summer months, this biomass literally exudes out of deep fissures in the rocks of the Himalayas. Here are the top 10 reasons why everyone should get to know this herb:

1. Shilajit the Adaptogen

Shilajit has been classified as an adaptogen, which means it helps the body adapt or process both internal and external stressors. (1,2) It has been used for thousands of years to fight stress and fatigue, while rejuvenating and regenerating tired cells.

2. Shilajit the Energizer

Shilajit works by increasing the production of the body’s primary fuel supply, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This energy supply is made by the mitochondria in every cell as they convert food into ATP or energy. As we age, the mitochondria make less and less ATP. (1,3)

3. Shilajit the Anti-Aging Agent

The mitochondria manufacture about 95% of the cellular energy of the body, which dramatically reduces with age. The mitochondria are responsible for muscle strength, hormonal energy and, as it turns out, shilajit is a powerhouse for mitochondrial energy, along with an enzyme called CoQ10. Shilajit alone has been shown to activate, stabilize and revitalize CoQ10, making it more available to boost mitochondrial energy production. (3,4)

4. Shilajit Battles Fatigue

In one study, mice were given shilajit for 21 days before exposure to a stress procedure. They were forced to swim daily for 15 minutes for 21 consecutive days. They were then given a series of stress tests for endurance and anxiety. The mice that took shilajit had significantly less stress and anxiety compared to the group that were not given shilajit. (4)

When I worked with the New Jersey Nets NBA team, all the players took shilajit (along with boswellia and ashwagandha) regularly. We went from the 3rd most injured team in the league to the 3rd least injured team in the league that year.

5. Shilajit the Turbo-Charger

One of the secret ingredients in shilajit are the humic acids, which speed up the transfer of electrons and energy to the mitochondria. Studies suggest this is like a turbo-charger in your car, but for your mitochondria. (1,3) In nature, humic acids found in soils are what break down nutrients and deliver them to plants in a digestible form. In the body, they play a similar role. (1)

6. Shilajit Slows an Aging Brain

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is critical for brain function, memory and attention. Stress and aging decrease levels of acetycholine, and shilajit has been found to inhibit the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. (5)

7. Shilajit the Brain Detoxifier

Proteins like beta-amyloid plaque and tau can build up over time in the brain and cause nerve damage related to cognitive decline. Shilajit has been shown to drive oxygen, minerals and nutrients into the brain tissue and support the brain’s natural ability to drain these potentially damaging proteins. (8, 10)

8. Shilajit the Fight or Flight Blocker

It is accepted that fight or flight stress from the sympathetic nervous system is degenerative for the body. The opposite calming parasympathetic nervous system is the rebuild, repair, rejuvenate, rest and digest nervous system. Shilajit has been shown to increase parasympathetic activity supporting health and longevity. (5)

9. Shilajit the Heart Health Herb

Shilajit has been shown to support heart health with lower heart rates, breathing rates and healthy blood pressure when under stress. (6)

10. Shilajit Boosts Performance and Pleasure

Shilajit has been shown to boost performance and reduce worry when under stress. It was also shown to trigger the release of pleasure hormones such a dopamine. (7)

 

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References:

 

1. Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with Potential Procognitive Activity

2. Adaptogenic activity of Siotone, a polyherbal formulation of Ayurvedic rasayanas.
3. Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo).
4. Shilajit attenuates behavioral symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and mitochondrial bioenergetics in rats.
5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/90717665

6. Effect of shilajit on the heart of Daphnia: A preliminary study

7. Effects of Shilajit on memory, anxiety and brain monoamines in rats
   
8. Ghosal S. Shilajit in Perspective. Oxford, UK: Narosa Publishing House; 2006
9. Shilajit: A panacea for high-altitude problems.

10. Tau Oligomers as Potential Targets for Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Novel Drugs

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Author: Dr. John Douillard

Editor: Travis May

Photo: Wikipedia