Supplement and Nutrition Series: Shilajit
SHI-LA-WHAT!
If you catch me at the right time on any given morning between five and six o’clock, chances are you won’t get a smile out of me. No, not because I’m upset that I’m awake (quite the opposite, actually—I love the mornings), but rather because my pearly whites are more closely resembling charcoal blacks. A dark, brownish-black substance coats the surfaces of my mouth. This substance is none other than shilajit.
SHI-LA-WHAT?!
Shilajit. I said shilajit. As in she-la-jeet.
Okay, got it—now you know how to say it. But what is it? Well, quite frankly, it’s the magic pill. I’m only exaggerating a little. Let me explain.
Shilajit is an exudate (I’ll save you the Google search: exudate (n.) – a fluid that has exuded from somewhere, especially from a pore of an animal or plant) that forms from the decomposition of plant and microbial matter over thousands of years in mountain regions. Primarily derived from the Himalayan mountains, shilajit has been used for generations in Ayurvedic medicine, where it was believed to have anti-aging properties and was utilized to promote general physical strength and overall health.
Today, shilajit has been studied for its neuroprotective properties, particularly its potential role in cognitive function and neural protection. Research suggests it may help combat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s by inhibiting tau self-aggregation—a process where tau proteins misfold and form tangles that disrupt normal brain function, ultimately leading to neuronal death. In other words, shilajit may help prevent brain cells from malfunctioning by interfering with the toxic clumping of tau proteins.
The key bioactive compound in shilajit is fulvic acid, a type of humic substance (meaning it naturally occurs in soils and organic matter). Fulvic acid is primarily known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but it is also speculated to play a role in:
- Lowering cholesterol
- Improving muscle strength
- Relieving altitude sickness
- Boosting cellular function
- Inducing cancer cell death (though research is inconclusive)
- Enhancing testosterone levels
- Supporting gut microbiome health
In addition to fulvic acid, shilajit contains various essential minerals, including calcium, potassium, and magnesium, as well as trace elements such as chromium, selenium, and cobalt. It also contains amino acids, such as glycine, which has been linked to brain function and cognitive health.
Because of all these benefits, I take 600–1000 mg of shilajit daily for its cognitive, energy, and hormonal benefits. Before supplementing with shilajit, I consumed 300–600 mg of caffeine per day. After introducing shilajit into my routine, I’ve cut that down to 100–200 mg.
If you’re looking for a powerful, natural supplement that provides essential nutrients often missing due to modern soil nutrient depletion, I highly recommend shilajit.
The brand I trust is Mitolife—one of the few companies that prioritize purity and quality control. It’s expensive, but you get what you pay for.
Until next time.