Shilajit: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
mummy, moomiyo, mummiyo
Family or group:
Minerals and trace elements
Active ingredients:
Fulvic acid
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Male fertility disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
A clinical study evaluating the spermatogenic activity of shilajit was conducted in 35 infertile male subjects (oligospermic) who were enrolled in the study and received 100 mg of processed shilajit in capsule form twice a day for 90 days. The 28 subjects who completed the study showed significant increases in the number of normal sperm (18.9%) and total sperm (61.4%), and in sperm motility (from 12.4% to 17.4%). A significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels in semen indicated that shilajit exhibited antioxidant activity. Additionally, shilajit treatment resulted in significant increases in serum testosterone (23.5%) and FSH (9.4%) levels, findings that supported the increase in sperm count.
Posologie
Oral
200 mg
Sports performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Animal and human data support the use of Shilajit as a "revitalizer", improving physical performance and relieving fatigue by increasing ATP production.nnIn an unpublished pilot study involving six healthy human volunteers, 200 mg of processed Shilajit was administered once daily for 15 days. Shilajit treatment significantly increased energy production and physical performance (Harvard step test). The increase in energy production was confirmed by increases in ATP, the ATP/ADP ratio, coenzyme Q10, total adenine nucleotides, adenylate energy charge, and uric acid levels in whole blood.nn
Posologie
Oral
200 mg
Oxidative stress ✪✪✪✪✪
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 2000 mg of processed Shilajit or a placebo was administered per day for 45 days. Twenty subjects received Shilajit, while 10 subjects received the placebo. An improvement in antioxidant status was noted in the form of an increase in superoxide dismutase, vitamin C, and vitamin E.nn
Posologie
Oral
200 mg
Cognitive performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Preclinical research indicates a medical application of Shilajit for controlling cognitive disorders associated with aging and cognitive stimulation. Indeed, fulvic acid, the main active ingredient, blocks tau self-aggregation, opening a pathway toward the study of therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, in vivo studies in rats have demonstrated dopaminergic activity induced by Shilajit, leading to increased memory and anxiolytic effects.
Posologie
Oral administration
200 mg
The Emerging Role of Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals in the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Shilajit: A Review
Shilajit: a natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity
Alzheimer's disease ✪✪✪✪✪
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder involving extracellular plaques (β-amyloid) and intracellular tangles of the tau protein. Tangle formation has been identified as a major event involved in the neurodegenerative process, due to the conversion of soluble peptides or oligomers into insoluble filaments. Possible therapeutic strategies may target polyphenolic compounds capable of inhibiting tau filament formation or disaggregating them, such as Shilajit. Indeed, a study showed that the aggregation process of the tau protein, forming paired helical filaments (PHF) in vitro, is inhibited by fulvic acid, which affects fibril length and morphology. It affects the overall structure by decreasing PHF length and likely acting at hydrophobic sites. Thus, fulvic acid may provide new insights into the development of potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease using shilajit.
Posologie
By mouth
200 mg
The Emerging Role of Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals in the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Fulvic acid inhibits aggregation and promotes disassembly of tau fibrils associated with Alzheimer's disease
Properties
Antioxidant
The antioxidant property of processed shilajit was compared to unprocessed shilajit and to vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Processed shilajit exhibits significant antioxidant activity and the ability to regenerate (recycle) ascorbic acid after neutralizing free radicals. The dihydroxybenzo-alpha-pyrones of shilajit caused the recycling (regeneration) of ascorbic acid. Unprocessed shilajit does not consistently exhibit antioxidant activity. The antioxidant effects depended on concentration. Higher concentrations of processed shilajit provided better protection against free radicals. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Sharma et al. (2003) administered 2000 mg of processed shilajit or a placebo per day for 45 days. Twenty subjects received shilajit, while 10 subjects received the placebo. An improvement in antioxidant status was noted in the form of an increase in superoxide dismutase, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
Usages associés
Bioenergizing
In a pilot study of six healthy human volunteers, 200 mg of processed shilajit were administered once daily for 15 days. Treatment with shilajit significantly increased energy production and physical performance (Harvard step test) (Raju, 2012). nnThe increase in energy production was confirmed based on increases in ATP, the ATP/ADP ratio, coenzyme Q10, total adenine nucleotides, adenylate energy charge, and levels of uric acid in whole blood. This study is limited by the small number of subjects and the lack of a control group.nn
Usages associés
Antiallergic
In vitro research shows that fulvic acid does not affect the viability of histamine-releasing cells in rats. However, fulvic acid inhibits the release of beta-hexosaminidase from these cells after IgE sensitization and antigenic stimulation, at the antigen-antibody binding stage and at the antibody-receptor binding stage. Fulvic acid also inhibits histamine release from stimulated human basophil cells and decreases intracellular calcium levels.nnIn another study (Ghosal et al., 1989), shilajit and its active components provided significant protection against antigen-induced degranulation of sensitized mast cells, markedly inhibited antigen-induced spasm of the sensitized guinea pig ileum, and prevented mast cell disruption. These results are consistent with the therapeutic use of shilajit in the treatment of allergic disorders.nn
Hormone metabolism
Animal research shows that fulvic acid increases the plasma level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and decreases the thyroxine (T4):triiodothyronine (T3) ratio. In infertile men, taking 200 mg of Shilajit for 90 days increased testosterone by 23.5% and FSH by 9.8%, with no effect on LH.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
Shilajit appears to have strong anti-inflammatory activity in the three models of acute, subacute, and chronic inflammation. In an animal model, Shilajit reduced induced edema with an effect comparable to phenylbutazone and betamethasone.
Immunomodulatory
Shilajit has been studied in mice as an immunomodulatory agent. White blood cell activity was measured and monitored before and at regular intervals after receiving the shilajit extract and after receiving a placebo. It was found that white blood cell activity was increased by the shilajit extract. The observed activity increased as the dose of shilajit extract and exposure time increased. Shilajit and its combined constituents triggered and activated, to varying degrees, murine peritoneal macrophages and activated splenocytes from tumor-bearing animals in the early stages of tumor growth. In another experiment, shilajit was found to significantly reduce levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and to increase levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and their metabolites in the rat brain. These changes in neurotransmitter levels are similar to those observed in cases of increased humoral (immune) activity.
Neurological
In vitro evidence indicates that fulvic acid interrupts the formation of the dimer and trimer of the beta-amyloid protein (Aβ), suggesting inhibition of Aβ aggregation. In vitro, fulvic acid inhibits aggregation of the tau protein. Neurochemical studies observed on shilajit indicate a decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine turnover in the rat brain, associated with increased dopaminergic activity leading to improved memory and anxiolytic activity in rats.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adult: 200 mg
Human studies used 200 mg of Shilajit containing 50% fulvic acid, given in two divided doses with meals for a period of 90 days.
Interactions
Médicaments
Thyroid hormone medications: minor interaction
Animal research data suggest that fulvic acid increases plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and decreases the thyroxine (T4):triiodothyronine (T3) ratio. Theoretically, shilajit could interfere with treatment aimed at normalizing thyroid function; use with caution in patients treated with thyroid hormones.
Immunosuppressants: minor interaction
Evidence from animal research suggests that fulvic acid can stimulate immune function. In theory, taking fulvic acid could reduce the effects of immunosuppressive treatments.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data.
Autoimmune diseases: use with caution
Fulvic acid can stimulate immune function. In theory, shilajit could exacerbate certain autoimmune diseases by increasing disease activity. Advise patients with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or others to use fulvic acid with caution.nn
