Shilajit: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
mumie, moomiyo, mummiyo
Family or group:
Minerals and trace elements
Active ingredients:
Fulvic acid
Indications
Rating 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 recruited into the study and received 100 mg of treated shilajit in capsule form twice daily for 90 days. The 28 subjects who completed the study showed significant increases in the number of normal (18.9%) and total (61.4%) sperm and sperm motility (12.4 to 17.4%). A significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels in sperm indicated that shilajit exhibited antioxidant activity. Additionally, shilajit treatment led to a significant increase in serum testosterone levels (23.5%) and FSH (9.4%), findings which supported the increase in sperm count.
Posologie
Oral administration
200 mg
Sports performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Animal and human data support the use of Shilajit as a "revitalizer," enhancing physical performance and relieving fatigue due to increased ATP production. In an unpublished pilot study involving six healthy human volunteers, 200 mg of processed shilajit were administered once daily for 15 days. Shilajit treatment significantly increased energy production and physical exercise (Harvard step test). The increase in energy production was confirmed by the rise in ATP, ATP/ADP ratio, coenzyme Q10, total adenine nucleotides, adenylate energy charge, and uric acid levels in whole blood.
Posologie
Oral administration
200 mg
Oxidative Stress ✪✪✪✪✪
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 2000 mg of processed shilajit or a placebo were administered daily for 45 days. Twenty subjects received shilajit, while 10 subjects received placebo. An improvement in antioxidant status was noted as an increase in superoxide dismutase, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
Posologie
Oral administration
200 mg
Cognitive Performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Preclinical research indicates a medical application of Shilajit in controlling cognitive disorders associated with aging and cognitive stimulation. Indeed, fulvic acid, the main active component, blocks tau self-aggregation, opening a pathway to study Alzheimer's disease therapy. Moreover, in vivo research on rats highlighted the dopaminergic activity induced by Shilajit, leading to increased memory and anxiolytic activity.
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 condition involving extracellular plaques (β amyloid) and intracellular tau protein tangles. The formation of tangles has been identified as a key event 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 the formation of tau filaments or disaggregating them, such as Shilajit. Indeed, a study showed that the tau protein aggregation process, forming paired helical filaments (PHF) in vitro, is inhibited by fulvic acid, which affects fibril length and morphology. It impacts the entire structure by decreasing PHF length and probably acting at the hydrophobic level. Thus, fulvic acid is likely to provide new insights into developing potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease using shilajit.
Posologie
Oral administration
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 has been compared to unprocessed shilajit and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Processed shilajit has significant antioxidant activity and the ability to regenerate (recycle) ascorbic acid after neutralizing free radicals. The dihydroxybenzo-alpha-pyrones from shilajit promoted the recycling (regeneration) of ascorbic acid. Unprocessed shilajit does not consistently show antioxidant activity. The antioxidant effects were concentration-dependent. 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 the 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
Bioenergizer
In a pilot study involving 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 exercise (Harvard step test) (Raju, 2012). The increase in energy production was confirmed based on increases in ATP, the ATP/ADP ratio, coenzyme Q10, total adenine nucleotides, adenylate energy charge, and uric acid levels in whole blood. This study is limited by the lack of a sufficient number of subjects and the absence of a control group.
Usages associés
Anti-allergic
In vitro research shows that fulvic acid does not affect the viability of rat histamine-releasing cells. 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 the antibody-receptor binding stage. Fulvic acid also inhibits the release of histamine by stimulated human basophil cells and decreases intracellular calcium levels. a0 In another study (Ghosal et al., 1989), Shilajit and its active components provided significant satisfactory protection to antigen-induced degranulation of sensitized mast cells, markedly inhibited antigen-induced spasms of 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.
Hormonal metabolism
Animal research shows that fulvic acid increases plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels 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 influence on LH.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
Shilajit appears to have potent anti-inflammatory activity in acute, subacute, and chronic inflammation models. In an animal model, Shilajit reduced induced edema with an effect comparable to phenylbutazone and betamethasone.
Immunomodulator
Shilajit has been studied in mice as an immunomodulating agent. White blood cell activity was studied and monitored before and at regular intervals after receiving shilajit extract and after receiving a placebo. It was found that white blood cell activity was increased by shilajit extract. The observed activity increased as the dose of shilajit extract and exposure time increased. Shilajit and its combined components triggered and activated, to varying degrees, murine peritoneal macrophages and activated splenocytes from tumor-bearing animals at early tumor growth stages. In another experiment, it was found that shilajit significantly reduces the level of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid and increases the level of dopamine, noradrenaline, 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 disrupts the dimer and trimer formation of the beta-amyloid (Abeta) protein, suggesting an inhibition of Abeta aggregation. In vitro, fulvic acid inhibits tau protein aggregation. a0 Neurochemical studies observed on shilajit indicate a decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine turnover in the rat brain, associated with an increase in dopaminergic activity leading to an increase in memory and anxiolytic activity in rats.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult: 200 mg
Human studies have used 200 mg of Shilajit containing 50% fulvic acid in two divided doses with meals over a period of 90 days.
Interactions
Médicaments
Thyroid hormone-based drugs: mild 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.
Immunosuppressant: mild interaction
Evidence from animal research suggests that fulvic acid may stimulate immune function. In theory, taking fulvic acid could reduce the effects of immunosuppressive treatments.
Precautions
Pregnant woman: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data.
Breastfeeding woman: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data.
Autoimmune diseases: use with caution
Fulvic acid may stimulate immune function. In theory, shilajit could exacerbate certain autoimmune diseases by stimulating disease activity. Advise patients with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or others to use fulvic acid with caution.
