Everything You Need To Know About Shilajit, The TikTok Viral Supplement
It may be the latest craze on TikTok, but shilajit is far from being new. According to Healthline, the sticky substance develops over hundreds of years and is usually found in rocks among the Himalayan mountains.
Commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine, shilajit is available in both liquid and powder form. It's generally natural and safe, but raw forms can be contaminated by heavy metals, free radicals, and fungus. With that said, finding the best source for your shilajit supplements is important.
Additionally, it's almost always recommended you speak with a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement. They may even be able to recommend the right dosage for you, depending on your desired health goals, and recommend the best way to source them. Note that this supplement is contraindicated for those with sickle cell anemia, hemochromatosis (a high amount of iron in your blood), or thalassemia, Healthline reports.
What research has shown us so far
A 2012 study in the International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease reported that shilajit may prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, this was not concluded via a study on human participants, but rather in assessing the chemical composition of the substance. The theory is, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory called fulvic acid is a primary compound of shilajit that prevents a buildup of tau proteins. Your brain needs tau proteins for the nervous system to work effectively, but too many can damage brain cells. That same study also found that shilajit could be beneficial for longevity and slowing down the aging process because of the fulvic acid, according to Healthline.
Shilajit is also known for increasing testosterone levels in men, as suggested by a 2015 randomized controlled trial published in Andrologia. The double-blind study consisted of male volunteers between the ages of 45 and 55. Half of them were given a placebo and the other half were given 250 milligrams of shilajit twice per day. After three months, researchers concluded that the men who received shilajit had higher levels of testosterone.
Other likely benefits of taking shilajit include reducing symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, overcoming high altitude sickness, reversing iron deficiency anemia, addressing infertility in men, and improving heart health (via Healthline).