According to the AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) in 2023, approximately 411,100 Australians have dementia out of these 257,500 are women and 153,700 men. This means brain health, especially Alzheimer’s disease, is a growing concern among Aussies and other countries as well. So shilajit for Alzheimer’s disease is of great potential. This is why researchers are discovering the most effective way to prevent and treat cognitive dysfunctions. Their discoveries include novel treatments and traditional medicine.
A June 2024 study, published in Perspectives on Integrative Medicine explored the potential of different samples of Shilajit, a natural resin, to support brain health.
They found that Shilajit, the traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, can protect brain cells by minimizing amyloid beta protein damage. This is a protein that degenerates your brain cells, called neurons and leads to diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Among the samples they studied, Shilajit from the Altai Mountains showed remarkable results because of its enriched content of salicyluric acid and fulvic acid. These chemical compounds further reduce inflammation to ensure brain health.
What is Shilajit and Where Does It Come From?
Shilajit is a sticky, tar-like substance that appears on high altitude rock surfaces resulting from the decomposition of plants and microbes. Known as “natural phytocomplex,” Shilajit resin is rich in bioactive chemical compounds, minerals, salicyluric acid and fulvic acid ( which makes 60-80% of its primary content). Because of its rich mineral content, shilait has been a well-known traditional medicine, especially in Chinese and Ayurveda, just like berberine.
Several mountain ranges, including the Himalayas in India and Nepal, the Caucasus Mountains, the Siberian regions, and the Andes in South America, are the main harvesting regions of Shilajit.
Shilajit sourced from each origin varies in composition due to local flora and environmental factors. Besides this, its extraction methods also make a big difference in the bioavailability of its compounds.
To make Shilajit safe for human use, raw material is purified using different processes, including water-based extraction, filtration, and sun-drying techniques to remove contaminants and heavy metals. Most of the traditionally extracted Shilajit has a content of heavy metals below the limit permissible by WHO. However, modern practices precisely focus on purified Shilajit’s heavy metal content and microbial safety.
How does Shilajit Work for the Brain?
For centuries, Shilajit, a cornerstone of traditional medicine, has been considered a “rasayana,” longevity and vitality-promoting substance.
Historically, Shilajit has been popular for treating various ailments, including fatigue, inflammation, arthritis, and digestive disorders. It has also been believed to boost immunity and improve mental clarity.
Today, studies are confirming shiljait’s role in treating complex diseases like cervical cancer and cognitive dysfunctions.
A 2024 study published in Perspectives on Integrative Medicine has emphasized that Shilajit’s, especially coming from Altai regions, can be a promising natural remedy for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease because of its neuroprotective properties.
The study focused on Shilajit’s ability to reduce Alzheimer’s progression. The researchers used 3 samples of Shilajit from different regions, including Altai ranges, as they were concerned about the heavy metal content in Shilajit.
Besides finding all Shilajit samples within safe limits of heavy metals as advised by WHO, they also discovered that Altai region Shilajit has a higher ratio of salicyluric acid–a chemical compound known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
According to their different clinical trials on Human primary bone marrow mononuclear cells and rats, Shilajit can protect your brain’s cells from the damage that amyloid protein causes. This plaque-forming protein reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β in brain tissues, leading to inflammation and oxidative stress, which ultimately results in progressive Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, Shilajit prevented cell death for up to 96 hours. This means Shilajit has the potential to slow Alzheimer’s disease. However, the effectiveness of Shilajit varies solely because of salicyluric acid content.
This is why the researchers have found Altai Shilajit to be the most effective in fighting Alzheimer’s disease. However, further human studies are essential before using it as a complementary treatment.
Why is Altai Mountains’ Shilajit so Special for Boosting Brain Health?
Undoubtedly, Shilajit from the Altai Mountains stands out because of its higher salicyluric acid ratio, but why?
Here are a few reasons:
- The extraction techniques that are traditionally carried out in Altai regions ensure the perseverance of precious chemical compounds, including fulvic acid and salicyluric acid. Instead of high-temperature extraction methods, which reduce Shilajit’s mineral content, Altai regions rely on traditional low-temperature methods. This is why the ratio of these compounds and trace minerals is optimum.
- Altai Shilajit has an exceptional purity and unique composition as it comes from the world’s most pristine and mineral-rich regions.
For these reasons, Altai Shilajit is a powerful natural brain booster shaped by time and nature.
Can you Use any Other Shilajit Instead of Altai Mountains?
Yes, you can use Shilajit from other regions if you can’t find Altai Shilajit easily. After Altai Shilajit, Himalayan Shilajit is also considered high-grade.
In the same way, those extracted and packed using modern techniques also aim at preserving beneficial chemical compounds besides minimizing toxic compounds like mercury. And Australia-packed Shilajit is one example.
The researchers haven’t denied the overall effect of different sources of Shilajit, but they have emphasized the superiority of the Altai region’s Shilajit.
However, when choosing Shilajit, you should ensure its quality, purification, and testing for safety. Certified products from trusted origins and suppliers can still support brain health, though they might not match the specific potency of Altai Shilajit. Similarly, you should consult your healthcare provider before using shilajit.
Ending Remarks
Overall, Altai shilajit has an incredible effect on brain health and against damage caused by harmful proteins. But, if you can’t get it, make sure that you get shilajit from highly trusted sellers and suppliers who take care of preserving the precious compounds.
Among these, Activ Nutrition stands out with its high-quality Himalayan shilajit packed by Switch Nutrition, the company known for its 100% pure natural products. These 500 mg capsules are completely vegan and free from any allergens.
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