Shilajit is a natural substance primarily found in the Himalayan region and has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It is a complex mixture of organic compounds, including fulvic acids, dibenzo-α-pyrones, proteins, and minerals. Here are some of the known benefits and effects of Shilajit:

1. Fatigue Reduction: Shilajit is known to reduce fatigue and improve energy levels. It helps in the transportation of nutrients into deep tissues, thus helping to overcome tiredness, lethargy, and chronic fatigue¹.

2. High-Altitude Adaptation: Shilajit can help people adapt to high altitudes by combating hypoxia (low oxygen levels), acute mountain sickness, and other high-altitude related problems like cerebral and pulmonary edema. It helps improve the body's ability to handle high-altitudinal stresses by stimulating the immune system and improving overall energy production².

3. Muscular Strength: Studies indicate that Shilajit supplementation can enhance muscular strength and reduce fatigue-induced declines in strength. It has been shown to improve maximal voluntary isometric contraction strength and concentric peak torque over an 8-week period¹.

4. Neuroprotective Effects: Shilajit has neuroprotective properties. It can help improve memory, reduce inflammation, and act as an antioxidant. This makes it potentially beneficial in the treatment of neurological conditions³.

5. Post-Traumatic Brain Injury: Research has shown that Shilajit can be effective in reducing brain edema and improving neurological outcomes following traumatic brain injury. It decreases brain water content and improves BBB (Blood-Brain Barrier) permeability and intracranial pressure (ICP)[^4].

6. General Health Benefits: Shilajit also works effectively as a tonic for the cardiac, gastric, and nervous systems. It is considered an adaptogen and an anti-stress agent².

These studies underline the broad range of potential health benefits offered by Shilajit, from enhancing physical and mental endurance to providing neuroprotective and adaptogenic effects.

Footnotes

1. Joshua L. Keller, "The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels," PubMed Central, 2019. ↩ ↩²

2. Harsahay Meena, "Shilajit: A panacea for high-altitude problems," PubMed Central, 2010. ↩ ↩²

3. Mohammad Khaksari, "The Effects of Shilajit on Brain Edema, Intracranial Pressure and Neurologic Outcomes following the Traumatic Brain Injury in Rat," PubMed Central, 2012. ↩