Shilajit is a natural substance found mainly in the Himalayas. Exuding from sedimentary rocks (largely in the Himalayas) shilajit is a pale-brown to blackish-brown exudate, composed of rock humus, rock minerals and organic substances that have been compressed by layers of rock mixed with marine organisms and microbial metabolites. Said to carry the healing power of these great mountains, shilajit has been used for over 3,000 years as a rejuvenator and adaptogen in a variety of conditions. Interestingly, the Sanskrit meaning of shilajit is “Conqueror of mountain and destroyer of weakness. Among its many applications, shilajit has been used for the management of male reproductive disorders. Furthermore, shilajit has an extensive history of use in Ayurveda medicine as an aphrodisiac, and its safety has been well documented based on animal and human studies.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone that is produced primarily in the testicles for men and the ovaries and adrenal glands for women. This hormone is essential to the development of male growth and masculine characteristics. For women, testosterone comes in much smaller amounts. Testosterone production increases about 30 times more during adolescence and early adulthood. After early adulthood, it’s natural for levels to drop slightly each year. Your body may see a one percent decline after you’re 30 years old.
Testosterone plays a key role in:
- muscle mass and bones
- facial and pubic hair
- body’s development of deeper voices
- sex drive
- mood and quality of life
- verbal memory and thinking ability
What are the benefits of increasing your testosterone levels?
1. Healthy heart and blood
A healthy heart pumps blood to the rest of the body, providing muscles and organs with the oxygen needed for peak performance. Testosterone helps red blood cell production through the bone marrow. Low testosterone levels are linked to a variety of cardiovascular risks.
A more recent, larger study of 83,000 men found that men whose testosterone levels returned to normal were 24 percent less likely to have a heart attack and 36 percent less likely to experience a stroke.
2. Less fat, more muscle
Testosterone is responsible for increased muscle mass. Leaner body mass helps control weight and increases energy.
3. Stronger bones
Testosterone plays a huge role in bone mineral density. Bone density decreases as men age and testosterone levels drop. This raises the risk of weak bones and osteoporosis. Strong bones help support your muscles and internal organs, which can boost athletic performance.
4. Better verbal memory, spatial abilities, or mathematical reasoning
Research shows that men with higher ratios of total testosterone have a reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. There’s also evidence for a strong correlation between testosterone and thinking abilities such as verbal memory and faster processing speed.
5. Better libido
Testosterone levels naturally rise in response to sexual arousal and activity. Men with higher levels of testosterone usually have greater sexual activity. Older men need more testosterone for libido and erectile function. But it’s important to note that erectile dysfunction is often due to other conditions or medications rather than low testosterone levels.
6. Improved mood
Lower testosterone levels are associated with poorer quality of life. Some of the symptoms of low testosterone levels include depression, fatigue, and irritability.
Natural ways to increase your testosterone levels
A low testosterone level is major concern for many men, due to which some end up taking steroids. Steroids will enhance your levels but at a massive cost to your health and several side effects. Some foods, vitamins, and herbs can help boost your testosterone levels, including shilajit.
Given its historical use as an aphrodisiac, it is not a big surprise that modern studies have demonstrated that shilajit has successfully increased testosterone levels in two different male populations. These studies have also demonstrated additional benefits associated with shilajit supplementation.
In one clinical study of male volunteers between the ages of 45 and 55, half of the participants were given a placebo and half were given a 250 milligram (mg) dose of purified shilajit twice a day. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at the J.B. Roy State Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital (Kolkata, India) and included 75 healthy volunteers aged 45-55. For 90 days, the men either took shilajit or a placebo, with total and free testosterones estimated from fasting blood drawn from each volunteer at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days into the intervention period. After 90 consecutive days, the study found that participants receiving purified shilajit had a significantly higher testosterone level compared to the placebo group, the shilajit group showed a 20% increase in total testosterone levels and a 19% increase in free testosterone levels.
Consumption of Shilajit:
Raw or unprocessed shilajit may be contaminated with heavy metals or fungus that can make you sick. Studies indicate the shilajit consumption without preliminary purification may lead to risks of intoxication given the presence of mycotoxin, heavy metal ions, oxidant agents, and free radicals, among others. Therefore, a purified, ready-for-use preparation for human consumption must be used. It’s important to consume shilajit from a source that is verified and authentic. This is where Shilajit USA comes to your rescue.
Shilajit USA
Shilajit USA directly sources shilajit above 18,000 ft. from the Himalayan range near K2 Mountain. We only select the best gold grade and discard all other material that is of inferior quality. Purified at source using ancient techniques, glacial water and potentisized by sun; we are privileged to introduce the K2 Himalayan Gold graded shilajit – the finest standard you can buy.
Authentic shilajit comes only in a resin form. After years of hard-work, perseverance and establishing a sound source to maintain authenticity and efficacy, we have launched our line of Shilajit resin to the market that people can safely consume. Our Shilajit is fair traded where villagers are earning full value for their hard work and we are supporting communities by giving back a percentage of our sales for health care and education. We are making a difference in people’s lives and now you have an opportunity to make a difference too.
Dosage:
Always administer supplements according to instructions. There is no single standard of recommended dosing for shilajit that is applicable for everyone. 300 to 500mg per day of Shilajit is generally considered sufficient and effective. The right dose for you may depend on your age, your current state of health, and the desired benefit. It can be dissolved in liquid, milk or water and can be taken every day.
The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Sources:
- Morris P.D. & Channer K.S., (2012, May 14). Testosterone and cardiovascular disease in men. Asian Journal Andrology, (3):428-35
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22522504/ - Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers S Pandit , S Biswas , U Jana , R K De , S C Mukhopadhyay , T K Biswas