Shilajit and prostate cancer, is there a relation? According to AIHW, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among males. It may account for 28% of all cancers in males by 2024.
And to treat this cancer, cyclophosphamide (CPA) is one of the most common drugs. However, CPA also reduces male fertility by attacking testicular cells. This worst side effect alters the overall quality of life.
For these reasons, researchers are always busy finding ways to help people fight cancer without losing their fertility.
A 2024 groundbreaking study on mice has explored the promising benefits of traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine Shilajit.
Rich with fulvic acid, salicyluric acid, humic acid, trace minerals, and other antioxidants, shilajit is just another well known supplement like berberine.
The study results have indicated that Shilajit can counter CPA’s harmful effects, restore male fertility, and protect the testicular environment. This means shilajit fights prostate cancer. Let’s dig more!
What is CPA?
Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is a common chemotherapeutic drug used in treating various cancers, including prostate cancer. The drug works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells. Resultantly, cancer cells don’t divide or grow and eventually die.
Unfortunately, CPA’s aggressive mechanism also affects healthy cells and tissues. This is why oxidative stress, hormonal imbalances, and reduced fertility (particularly in men) are serious side effects.
How does CPA affect male fertility?
CPA (Cyclophosphamide), while killing the cancer cells, affects male fertility in several ways:
- When targeting fast-dividing cancer cells, CPA also attacks the healthy cells — the cells which help sperm production in the testes. This damage lowers sperm count, reduces motility, and alters sperm DNA.
- CPA also disturbs testosterone production. Thus, it negatively impacts hormone balance and reproductive health.
- Finally, oxidative stress from CPA further damages testicular tissue.
This overall negative impact causes either temporary or permanent infertility. However, the severity depends on dosage, treatment duration, and patient age.
What’s Shilajit and how it helps with encountering CPA’s harmful effects?
Shilajit and prostate cancer are somewhat connected. First, let’s see what shilajit is. Shilajit is a mineral-rich biochemical resin harvested from 1,000 to 5,000-meter mountain ranges, including Siberian Altai and Himalayan ranges in China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
For centuries, local traditional medical practices have used this rejuvenating medicine. Its high content of fulvic acid, salicyluric acid, humic acid, trace minerals, and antioxidants have proven results to fight inflammation, and several common health conditions since ages.
Today, modern researches are also proving its groundbreaking health impact on curing serious health issues, including brain diseases and cancers like cervical tumors.
The 2024 study published on ScienceDirect by Indian researchers highlights Shilajit’s potential in countering reproductive harm caused by cyclophosphamide (CPA).
In their mice studies, the researchers have found it to help restore testicular health and rectify the CPA’s destruction to health cells through several mechanisms:
- First, Shilajit supplementation notably improves testosterone levels by boosting testosterone-friendly enzymes like Δ5 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD.
- Then, as proven by other studies as well, Shilajit slows down the process of converting testosterone into another hormone called estradiol. Shilajit controls this conversion by reducing the activity of another enzyme called aromatase. This way, your body can have optimum testosterone levels during CPA drug therapy.
- Additionally, Shilajit supplementation also improves vital Sertoli cell functioning in the testes. These cells form a protective barrier in the testes that helps in sperm production.
- Likewise, Shilajit reduces oxidative stress by activating the Nrf-2-Keap-1 pathway.
- Finally, Shilajit reverses CPA-related health cells’ death by increasing the levels of a protective protein called Bcl-2 and decreasing the levels of a harmful protein called Bax.
- Shilajit is rich in fulvic acid. This supplement also has a positive localized effect on sperm protection when it penetrates the blood testis barrier.
Although further human and clinical trials are essential before adopting Shilajit as a male fertility protector against chemotherapy drugs and cancer treatments, the present study solidifies its traditional use for boosting sperm count and testosterone levels. Shilajit fights prostate cancer and boosts male sexuality.
Step up for Revitalizing your Health
Now, when you know the potential of biochemical compounds of Shilajit against challenging health, you can supplement your body with long-lasting health benefits.
Want to start with Shilajit? You can get it from trusted sources like Activ Nutrition, a storehouse of best-quality supplements. The supplier gets you the best quality Himalayan Shilajit in Australia, free from any allergens. These shilajit capsules are completely vegan.
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