Lithium orotate is a form of lithium that is often used as a dietary supplement. It crosses the blood-brain barrier more effectively than lithium carbonate, allowing for much lower doses to be used effectively without the heavy side effects associated with other forms of lithium¹.

People taking lithium orotate may experience stabilization of mood swings, especially in conditions like bipolar disorder. Unlike lithium carbonate, lithium orotate generally does not cause common side effects such as a dulled personality, weight gain, or tremors when taken in appropriate doses¹. Additionally, it has a broader range of beneficial effects at low doses, potentially supporting cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, cognitive, and metabolic health².

However, it's essential to approach any lithium supplement with caution, as there are concerns regarding lithium carbonate's narrow therapeutic window—an issue not extensively studied with lithium orotate³. This means monitoring by a healthcare professional can be beneficial to ensure safe and effective use.

Footnotes

1. Shaheen E Lakhan, "Nutritional therapies for mental disorders," NCBI. ↩ ↩²

2. Sophie I. Hamstra, "Beyond its Psychiatric Use: The Benefits of Low-dose Lithium Supplementation," NCBI. ↩

3. Timothy S Murbach, "A toxicological evaluation of lithium orotate," PubMed. ↩

Shilajit is a substance known for a range of potential health benefits and effects on the body. Its potential effects include:

1. Energy and Fatigue: Shilajit is often reported to help with chronic fatigue and boost energy levels. It aids in overcoming tiredness and lethargy, which is beneficial for individuals dealing with fatigue-related issues¹.

2. Enhancement of Physical Performance: It may improve physical performance and endurance. Some studies suggest that shilajit can help reduce fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength².

3. Benefit to Brain Function: There are suggestions that shilajit can support cognitive function, potentially offering benefits for brain health due to its antioxidant properties³.

4. Support for Testosterone Levels: In healthy male volunteers, shilajit supplementation has been associated with increased testosterone levels⁴.

5. Adaptogen Properties: Shilajit might act as an adaptogen, helping the body manage stress and overcome high-altitude issues such as hypoxia and acute mountain sickness⁵.

6. Hepatoprotective Effects: Shilajit has been investigated for its protective effects on the liver, particularly in conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease⁶.

Shilajit is generally considered safe when taken in appropriate doses. However, it's important to use it under guidance, especially for individuals with specific health conditions or those taking other medications.

Footnotes

1. Harsahay Meena, "Shilajit: A panacea for high-altitude problems," PMC2876922. ↩

2. Joshua L. Keller, "The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength," PMC6364418. ↩

3. Mohammad Khaksari, "The Effects of Shilajit on Brain Edema," PMC3758058. ↩

4. S Pandit, "Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers," PubMed 26395129. ↩

5. Harsahay Meena, "Shilajit: A panacea for high-altitude problems," PMC2876922. ↩

6. Baran Ghezelbash, "Hepatoprotective effects of Shilajit on high fat-diet induced NAFLD," PubMed 32083445. ↩

Shilajit has several potential effects on women, particularly in areas related to bone health, skin health, and fertility:

1. Bone Health: In postmenopausal women with osteopenia, shilajit supplementation has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby helping to preserve bone mineral density¹. This can be particularly beneficial in mitigating conditions like osteoporosis that commonly affect women post-menopause.

2. Skin Health: Shilajit has been studied for its effects on the skin, showing that it can influence the induction of microvascular and extracellular matrix mechanisms². This suggests potential benefits for skin health by possibly enhancing skin perfusion and improving overall skin integrity.

3. Fertility and Ovarian Protection: Shilajit may have protective effects against ovarian toxicity, as seen in studies where it helped prevent radiation-induced damage in rodent models³. While these findings are preliminary and more research is needed, they indicate potential applications in reproductive health and fertility preservation.

While these studies offer promising insights, it's important for individuals to consider consulting healthcare professionals before starting any new supplements, especially in the context of specific health concerns or ongoing treatments.

Footnotes

1. Usharani Pingali, "Shilajit extract reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss," PubMed. ↩

2. Amitava Das, "Skin Transcriptome of Middle-Aged Women Supplemented With Shilajit," PMC. ↩

3. Zeev Blumenfeld, "Fertility Preservation in Women With Malignancy," PMC. ↩