Based on estimates by PwC, the global supplements market has grown by 6.3% between 2014 and 2018. And, this is expected to increase further by 4.4% by 2023. <1>
That decline in growth rate will be driven by three major factors:
- Tighter regulation
- More counterfeits
- Increasing consumer distrust
Pay attention to your shilajit, its makers, and what it promises to do. Here, we’ve listed down myths about shilajit. Knowing these will help you filter out facts from fiction to help you choose the right product.
Myth 1: Raw shilajit is the best shilajit
The moment you see this claim, leave! Shilajit is natural — yes, but that also means it’s exposed to harmful microorganisms and impurities in its natural environment.
Shilajit that will promote your health and not make you sick has to undergo a process that rids it of these impurities. That process of purification will impact the quality of shilajit that you’re buying.
Manufacturing processes can destroy its potency, however. Over-manufacturing also increases the likelihood of adulterating shilajit with useless additives, including fulvic acid fertilizer, to mask its substandard quality. Besides, it is so much easier to hide impurities and counterfeit products in pills and forms other than shilajit resin. That’s why shilajit in pill, tablet, powder, or tincture forms can never beat shilajit resin in terms of nutrient content.
Myth 2: Real Shilajit can only be taken from a specific location
Fantastic stories about where shilajit is sourced abound. It does matter where shilajit comes from. That can also mean many places around the world. But, what matters more is the quality of shilajit that is extracted, processed, and packaged.
In the case of Pürblack Live Resin, we take pride in our 4th Generation shilajit rather than merely boast of where our shilajit is extracted. Pürblack shilajit is sourced from many places.
Whether it’s from Caucasus, Altai, Himalayas, Siberia, and Mongolia, or somewhere else, we run tests on our raw sources even before we start extracting.
Myth 3: Shilajit is a Cure-All Solution
In ancient times, people believed that shilajit was a panacea. These days we believe that shilajit can help people achieve ideal health and nutrition — period.
Practitioners of ayurveda and other forms of ancient medicine continue to highly regard shilajit as a rejuvenator. Indeed, shilajit can contribute to a more holistic approach to healing. It can be an amazing accompaniment to achieve balance mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Shilajit is a Phyto complex created over decades of plant decay. The nutrient-rich organic material that once made up plants combine with the soil’s humus, eventually creating shilajit. The high-nutrient content of shilajit exhibits properties that promote health and wellness. Among the most beneficial ones are as follows:
- Adaptogenic. It can boost energy levels. In turn, that may promote increased cellular activity. <2>
- Anti-lipid. It may help promote better weight management. <3>
- Anti-inflammatory. It may help reduce pain and swelling that damage the body. <4>
Myth 4: Shilajit is the Long Lost Fountain of Youth
It’s one of the myths about shilajit that just refuses to die down. Don’t be duped. What you can actually get from pure and authentic shilajit are powerful antioxidants.
Antioxidants in shilajit help improve your resilience against stress. By reducing stress, your body also releases less cortisol and other enzymes that speed up aging. <5>
Who wants to live forever? Aim instead to live a higher quality of life without chronic disease and ailments. Be able to do more of everything you love longer.
Myth 5: Shilajit is an Aphrodisiac
Shilajit is not an aphrodisiac based on the mere connotation of the term. As we’ve pointed out, shilajit can boost energy and help you fight stress. When you have more energy and are less stressed, it’s hard to imagine how you can have a low sex drive.
Shilajit can drive up testosterone levels. In turn, that may enhance libido. <6> However, it shouldn’t be expected to work like the ones you buy with a prescription. You don’t take it tonight and expect your sex drive to soar in a few minutes!
You need to take shilajit regularly to experience its many benefits (not only increasing libido). Most people who take Pürblack notice improvements in their general wellness (yes, including sex drive) from a few weeks up to three months. To keep enjoying positive results, continue supplementing your diet with shilajit.
Myth 6: Shilajit is Not Safe for Kids
Shilajit is as natural as it can get. You must establish the purity and authenticity of your jar of shilajit. If you can do that, there’s absolutely no reason why it’s unsafe for kids.
Ask the seller for a Certificate of Analysis. Makers and marketers of legit, genuine shilajit are transparent. They will not be afraid to show you lab results of what’s in the shilajit they’re selling.
Check the recommended dosage instructions for children and make sure to stick to that. For children who are taking other medications or have allergies, it’s always best to consult with a qualified medical professional before adding shilajit to the diet.
Myth 7: Shilajit is a Natural Nootropic
Nootropic is a fairly new term. It now loosely includes any substance taken orally that promises to deliver cognitive benefits. Others qualify as supplements while others qualify as prescription drugs.
Shilajit may indeed benefit your brain <7>. However, it does NOT work like a chemical booster which most synthetic nootropics are designed to be.
To harness the potential benefits of shilajit for your brain, you need to take it regularly.
Heard of any other myths about shilajit? Tell us more about it.
Reference
- PwC. “Vitamins & Dietary Supplements Market trends — Overview.” PwC Deals.
- Meena H, Pandey HK, Arya MC, Ahmed Z. “Shilajit: A panacea for high-altitude problems.” Int J Ayurveda Res. 2010;1(1):37-40. doi: 10.4103/0974-7788.59942. Accessed 21 Apr 2021.
- Al-Salman F, Ali Redha A, Al-Zaimoor Z. “Inorganic Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Shilajit.” Int J Scientific Research in Chemical Sciences. 2020;7(3).
- Goel RK, Banerjee RS, Acharya SB. “Antiulcerogenic and antiinflammatory studies with shilajit.” J Ethnopharmacol. 1990;29(1):95-103. doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(90)90102-y.
- van Rensburg CE. “The Antiinflammatory Properties of Humic Substances: A Mini Review.” Phytother Res. 2015 Jun;29(6):791-795. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5319.
- Mishra RK, Jain A, Singh SK. “Profertility effects of Shilajit on cadmium-induced infertility in male mice.” Andrologia. 2018;50(8):e13064. doi: 10.1111/and.13064.
- Carrasco-Gallardo C, Guzmán L, Maccioni RB. “Shilajit: a natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity.” Int J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;2012:674142. doi: 10.1155/2012/674142.
