Health Benefits Of Shilajit To Men’s Health
Shilajit benefits for men are plentiful since this natural supplement contains over 80 minerals. It boosts fertility, energy, testosterone.
Fun Fact: Men live shorter than women. This general statistic has stayed more or less the same throughout history. [1]
While the reason for this may have been evident in eras of war where exclusively only men went into the battlefield, it is far less apparent in this modern age.
Medical experts point to specific factors for the shorter average lifespan of men:
- For one, males are more likely to use intoxicants such as tobacco and alcohol. [2]
- They are less to consult a doctor for regular checkups. [3]
- Men also make riskier choices that potentially endanger their lives. [4]
That is why greater emphasis needs to be put on men’s health. Many ailments faced by men can be avoided with a healthy lifestyle that integrates diet, exercise, stress, regulation, and moderation of vices.
Supplements are also a great way to enhance men’s health and ensure there are no nutritional gaps from the diet. One of these is shilajit.
Shilajit is a natural, safe supplement made from the substance found in certain rocks of the Himalayas. It’s also called mumijo, mumie, or mineral pitch.
Shilajit is an exceptional herbal supplement that may help address the unique health needs of men. So let’s talk in-depth about shilajit benefits for men.
Shilajit Benefits For Men
Shilajit’s bioactive components may help promote optimum function at the cellular level.
Ayurvedic practitioners used the substance not only for general wellness but for infertility, anti-aging, stamina, increased testosterone level, cardiac health, and even promoting healthy memory. [5]
But is there truth to any of these claims? In this article, we will discuss the many purported advantages of shilajit for men’s health while highlighting the supports of these health benefits.
It is imperative to mention that most of the health advantages associated with its use only come about when the purified form is used.
Only a handful of US manufacturers sell authentic shilajit who masterfully process the raw material and doing so that it is closest to nature without any additives.
We highly recommend Purblack resin if you are looking for high-quality shilajit resin.
Now, let’s get back to the health benefits of shilajit for men:
1. Increases Male Fertility
Shilajit is quickly gaining ground as a health supplement optimum for men nowadays. In fact, many use it as an aid during resistance training.
One of the most popular reasons for its use is fertility and libido. Anecdotal records claim that it was heavily used to improve fertility along with other herbs valued in Ayurvedic medicine.
Others even used it as an aphrodisiac and were claimed to improved libido.
A study has established that mineral pitch may significantly increase sperm count and motility (the sperm’s ability to move, that aids in fertilization of the female egg). [6]
The study employed a group of oligospermic males (infertile men) who took mumijo regularly for three months.
More than 60% of the subjects showed results where sperm count has increased, and around 12% of the participants recorded better sperm motility.
Some even regained fertility capability after use. Sperm quality also improved.
The researchers observed the incorporation of some of the significant constituents of shilajit in the semen.
Although the test is rather small in scale, it serves as a preliminary study that hopefully will lead to large scale study in the determination of mineral pitch for improving aspects of fertility.
To this day, no scientific study proves the substance helps improve sex drive but mineral pitch may enhance testosterone level, and likely the reason why it was considered for libido.
2. Slows Down Aging
Followers of Ayurveda have observed the rejuvenating powers of mumijo that seem to defy the aging process. As such, it was used by the old and young alike to boost energy levels and improve memory.
Today, we know the underlying reason for mumie’s anti-aging properties. Authentic shilajit is rich in ashless humic substances, including fulvic acid, helpful in reducing the effects of oxidative stress.
Fulvic acid was found to donate some of its electrons to free radicals thereby stabilizing them and preventing cellular damage. [7]
Mineral pitch use also allows the optimum recycling of Ascorbic Acid, a vitamin helpful for its antioxidant capability and for maintaining healthy immune response. [8]
Other benefits may include optimum cognitive health, which will be discussed later on in this article.
Noteworthy anti-aging effect of mineral pitch is how it improves the mitochondria’s ability to efficiently create ATP, the usable power source of cells.
3. Boosts Energy And Productivity
How our bodies produce energy from food decreases as we age. Digestion slows down causing inefficient use of nutrients from food and production of ATP at the cellular level.
The mineral pitch has been known to boost energy, a claim shilajit is well known for.
Research on rats with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) has revealed that shilajit may help relieve the effects of the disorder by addressing mitochondrial dysfunction. [9]
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a medical condition in which severe tiredness is not solved by rest and cannot be explained by any underlying ailment.
The study aimed to understand shilajit’s ability to counter the disorder, which is a growing concern for many people.
In the study, for 21 days, rats were given shilajit and then made to swim for fifteen minutes to induce CFS.
The researchers discovered that its anti-oxidative components promote the efficient functioning of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (the process wherein cells create ATP from food sources). [10]
This leads to increased energy production that is readily available for immediate use.
The study also established that shilajit is just as effective as coenzyme C10, a well-known energy-enhancing food supplement in maintaining energy during strenuous exercise and there is evidence that mumijo ameliorates the effects of CoQ10. [11]
4. Normalizes Testosterone Levels
Testosterone is not only associated with sexual prowess but is chiefly responsible in a man’s reproductive abilities, and the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
When testosterone levels are low, physical masculinity suffers.
The peak period for the hormone production is adolescence, and levels vary widely between the age groups 18-69 and 70-89, with the latter age group seeing a decline in male hormone production. [12]
A study established that purified Shilajit is effective in increasing testosterone levels. [13]
The subjects, men with normal health between the age of 45 and 55, were administered with purified shilajit for 90 days.
Results showed that the men experienced a rise in both total testosterone (those produced) and free testosterone (those released), two significant androgenic markers.
Upon closer inspection, the researchers were able to pinpoint shilajit’s positive effect on luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, as well as Dehydroepiandrosterone, also known as androstenolone as the likely reason for the increase in overall testosterone production and secretion.
The study gives credence to the long-held notion that shilajit may help with testosterone, as well as the other aspects that require it.
5. Encourage Optimum Heart Health
With heart disease being among the foremost killers of both men and women, it is good news that shilajit has some scientific backing that it may help promote proper heart health.
Laboratory rats in a study were administered shilajit before being injected with isoproterenol to induce cardiac injury. Results revealed that rats pretreated with shilajit before heart injury had fewer cardiac lesions. [14]
While consumption of shilajit for a 1-week period under normal conditions showed no significant effect on blood pressure, it actually had a protective effect against myocardial injury and even reduced the damage caused by the attack.
Another study also showed that regular consumption improved blood chemistry and promoted the regulation of blood sugar and lipid levels in the blood back to its healthy levels, two parameters in the blood associated with heart health. [15]
Researchers posited that the possible mechanism for shilajit’s cardioprotective effects may be due to:
- The rise in myocardial oxygen supply;
- Decrease in inflammation of heart tissue;
- Stabilizing of membrane capillaries;
- And quite possibly inhibition of free radical production caused by its bioactive antioxidant components.
Shilajit definitely enhances normal heart health. However, it should not be relied on to cure active heart disease. Supplements like mineral pitch are not meant to cure or treat any disease.
6. Supports Male Memory
Men are more likely to experience memory loss and deterioration of thinking skills with old age, as compared to women. [16]
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that affects more men than women may result in Alzheimer’s disease.
The fulvic acid present in shilajit is a potent antioxidant that may help prevent the buildup of tau protein. [17]
While tau protein is an essential part of the nervous system, excessive accumulation triggers brain cell injury. By preventing the accumulation of tau protein, shilajit supports memory and other cognitive skills.
Fulvic acid may also reduce inflammation, potentially improving the symptoms experienced with Alzheimer’s. [18]
While the results of the mentioned studies are quite promising, It is important to remember that these tests are purely scientific and serve as preliminaries to proper clinical trials. No large scale clinical tests have ever been conducted.
Small scale clinical trials and various scientific studies do shed light on many of the claims surrounding shilajit and should pave the way towards a better understanding of the substance and how it is helpful to human health.
Choosing Shilajit
Only choose shilajit that has been authenticated, and avoid those that are in powder forms as those are most likely imitations with fertilizer-based fulvic acid and unnecessary fillers added to increase volume.
Other forms include extracts and tablets or pills. The original benefits of shilajit may pique your interest but make sure to avoid these forms since they contain little to no actual resin.
True shilajit is always in resin form, the way nature made it.
How To Use Shilajit For Men
For optimal health benefits, the only purified resin should be taken preferably in the morning, before breakfast.
Consumption of the raw material is highly discouraged. It may contain harmful microbes and heavy metals injurious to health.
In fact, only purified mumijo will deliver any and all of the benefits associated with its use.
250mg to 500mg of resin is the recommended dose with most manufacturers, about the size of a pea, dissolved in purified distilled water. About 250ml of water is adequate.
It should be taken immediately. If the taste does not bother you, taking it as a pill or dissolving the resin under your tongue works too.
The minimum amount to get some benefit from shilajit is 100mg, just about the size of a grain of rice. This is also the recommended dose for children.
If you are more active, a higher dosage may deliver better results. 500mg or higher is recommended.
Weight and physical activity affect dosage, therefore you need to change dosage depending on your lifestyle.
There is nothing to worry about when going beyond the recommended dose as shilajit has been widely documented to be safe even at double or triple the recommended level.
The dilemma is with the cost. Real mumijo is a rarity and expensive, so you might want to stick with the dosage so your supply lasts.
Keeping A Journal Might Help With Dose
Many find it helpful to keep a journal recording shilajit dosage and the corresponding effects felt that day.
Every person’s experience is different because of the varying factors affecting how our bodies utilize substances. These could be hereditary factors, lifestyle-related and conditions or illness.
Like diets, herbal supplement intake is personalized to fit your needs, thus keeping a journal is helpful.
If you find that the desired shilajit benefits have been sustained with regular use, then the dose may be perfect for you.
The supplement can be enjoyed in innumerable ways, you can easily integrate it into your regular diet, along with foods that you prefer.
Ayurveda practitioners often take shilajit with a mix of delicious, organic ingredients including warm milk, sesame oil, raw honey, and clarified butter.
Vegans may opt to substitute those with spring water or distilled water.
Tea, fruit juice and coffee can also be used, just make sure not to brew the resin in or add to boiling hot water.
Shilajit is best absorbed on an empty stomach during the daytime. Taking it in the evening may prevent or disrupt your sleep, as shilajit is a natural energy booster. But many found that it improved their sleep when they took it before bedtime.
Others feel the health benefits of shilajit after a few months, while many others feel it a few days after the starting regimen. In any case, it is perfectly safe and healthy to use shilajit as a diet supplement, as it has no known negative, long-term side effects.
Do remember that food supplements may interact with medication. Consulting your physician before using shilajit resin is highly recommended.
