#this just validates my rangers fatigue even more | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

gethealthy18-blog · 5 years

Text

What Is Shilajit and Is It Worth Drinking?

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/news/what-is-shilajit-and-is-it-worth-drinking/

What Is Shilajit and Is It Worth Drinking?

Shilajit is a rock exudate, meaning a tar-like substance resulting from the breakdown of minerals and plant matter over a long period of time. Although it sounds rather bizarre, studies are finding that shilajit is an incredible source of healthful fulvic and humic acids, among other benefits.

For thousands of years, shilajit has been a cornerstone in the traditional, cultural medicines of Russia, Persia, India, and the Orient, so this seems to be another case of science confirming ancient wisdom. Shilajit tonics are now available in most health food stores and even online, so I wanted to look into the claims and see what it was all about.

Here’s what I found…

What Is Shilajit?

Shilajit comes from high up in the steep rocks of the Himalayan, Bhutan, and Kashmir mountains. Some shilajit also comes from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tibet, China, and Russia. So, it’s no surprise that shilajit use is so common in those cultures.

The elite mountaineers of the Himalayas, called sherpas, consume shilajit for its rejuvenation, anti-fatigue, and anti-aging effects. Perhaps their use of shilajit explains their hardiness (even at great altitudes and in frigid temperatures).

The exact make-up of shilajit varies, depending on the plant life and minerals in specific locations. However, shilajit has some basic similarities: humic acid, fulvic acid, and selenium. It has many plant-based compounds, including benzoic acid, tannic acid, fibers, and other carbohydrates.

What’s in Shilajit?

Shilajit is 50-60% fulvic and humic acids. Research shows these compounds are ancient sources of organic minerals and trace elements. Because their make-up is ancient, man cannot duplicate it (no Jurassic Park situation here).

Humic Acid

Humic acid is shown to fight inflammation, work against infection, and regulate disease. It also functions as a gut-guard, stopping toxins before they enter cells. This ultimately boosts the performance of the immune system.

Fulvic Acid

Together, fulvic and humic acid are the wonder-twins of the mineral world. Fulvic acid increases cell membrane permeability, which allows for easier absorption of nutrients. Because fulvic acid binds easily to water, it helps detox the body.

Other Components

Fulvic and humic acid aren’t shilajit’s only claim to fame, however. Studies show shilajit’s significant mineral content and other components may have benefits as well. Up to 90% of shilajit’s mineral content includes potassium, calcium, and magnesium, as well as other trace minerals.

Shilajit’s mineral content is significant enough that it also determines its color. Shilajit may be white, red, blue, or blackish-brown depending on its mineral content.

Is Shilajit Beneficial?

While most of the health benefits of shilajit are based on Ayurvedic texts, some animal and cell-based studies validate some of these claims. There are a few small clinical studies that demonstrate the safety and efficacy of shilajit. Therefore, take these health claims with a grain of salt (or shilajit!).

8 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Shilajit

Beyond the health benefits of fulvic and humic acids in shilajit, studies have shown some health benefits, including:

1. Helps With Fatigue and Stress

Shilajit works as an adaptogen. This is essentially plant-matter that helps the body adapt and show a better response to stress. It also protects the powerhouse of the cell (mitochondria), which converts everything we eat into chemical energy. (Without mitochondria, we can’t live!)

Because shilajit works as an adaptogen and mitochondria protectant, it may help with chronic fatigue and physical exhaustion. In one study with physically exhausted rats, shilajit seemed to reduce physical exhaustion and anxiety. Scientist theorize that this is because shilajit reduces cortisol levels and protects the mitochondria from the oxidative damage that physical exertion causes.

2. Helps With Iron Absorption

Iron deficiency anemia is a common problem in women of reproductive age because of poor absorption in the gut.

Dark brown shilajit contains high iron content, as well as substances that may help increase iron absorption. Dibenzopyrones and tannoids can maintain iron in a state that the gut can easily absorb. A mixture of shilajit and Indian gooseberry can significantly increase iron levels in red blood cells without side effects.

3. Enhances Cognitive Function and Memory

Shilajit increases levels of neurotransmitters that are important for brain function and memory, including dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, and noradrenaline in the brain.

The increase in acetylcholine suggests that shilajit might help with Alzheimer’s. In addition, it helps dissolve protein plaques in the brain that can cause neurodegenerative diseases.

4. Potent Antioxidant

Medical News Today cites shilajit’s levels of fulvic acid as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory:“As such, it may help reduce free radicals and cellular damage in the body, which are two key factors in aging. Daily supplementation of shilajit may contribute to overall vitality and a slower aging process in some people.”

5. Anti-Inflammatory

Shilajit injections in rats help reduce swelling caused by the injection of foreign substances in the paw. In addition, shilajit helps increase stomach mucus, which prevents stomach ulcers.

6. Healthy Heart

Two control groups of rats were subjected to heart injury. One group of rats was not given shilajit before the test. One group of rats had 200mg of shilajit for 7 days before their test. The rats who ingested shilajit had significantly less heart damage than the other rats.

More research is needed, but this suggests that regularly incorporating it in your diet may protect your heart in the event of cardiac episodes. As always, speak to a health professional before using any supplement regularly.

7. Normalizes Blood Sugar and Diabetes

In humans, shilajit helps reduce the dosage of diabetic drugs. It also helps normalize blood sugar and protect insulin-producing cells from damage, according to two other studies on diabetic rats.

8. Reduces Histamine and Allergic Symptoms

A cellular study shows that a whole shilajit extract can stop mast cells from releasing histamines. Mast cells are a type of white blood cell that is overactive in allergic diseases. It found that whole shilajit extract was more powerful than fulvic acid, humic acid, or other extracts of shilajit.

9. Supports the Immune System

Shilajit can also promote the growth of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that fights infection.

Shilajit Side Effects and Cautions

A small study on the safety of shilajit appears to be safe in healthy human subjects. Their dosage of (up to) 2,000 mg of processed shilajit for 45 days did not produce any major changes in physical health and blood chemistry.

Other long-term studies with dosages of 100-250 milligrams for up to 90 days also show that shilajit is a safe supplement.

However, there are other possible concerns with its use:

Heavy Metal Content

Shilajit contains both helpful and harmful minerals. In fact, shilajit is banned in Canada because of its heavy metal content. If you suspect that toxic metals are causing your health issues, you may want to avoid taking shilajit or speak to a health care professional.

Potential Allergic Reactions or Sensitivity

It is possible that you may be allergic or sensitive to some components of shilajit. This may be because it contains a high amount of natural benzoate, which may cause sensitivity in some people. Also, sodium benzoate is reportedly a trigger of ADHD in children. So, avoid shilajit if ADHD is a health concern.

Quality and Purity

When it comes to a valuable substance sourced from the mountains, counterfeit products can be a real concern. If you are to take shilajit, you want to get the best! It should contain a high level of fulvic acid and be tested for toxic metals and contaminants. I use this brand and add a little into water and drink it.

Is Shilajit Worth Drinking?

Definitely decide this in together with your doctor like I did, but I can tell you based on the science it’s worth looking into!

It does taste earthy (as you would imagine) and a little bitter, but I’ve gotten used to the taste and just a little shilajit goes a long way.

I’m slowly working it into my weekly health routines, so stay tuned to find out if I suddenly have the the stamina of a sherpa… maybe it’ll help me with my mountain of laundry!

Have you tried shilajit? What was your experience? I’d love to hear from you!

Sources:

Arnold, L. E., Lofthouse, N., & Hurt, E. (2012, July). Artificial food colors and attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms: Conclusions to dye for. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3441937/

Ayurvedic shilajit supplement found to contain alarmingly high levels of lead and arsenic heavy metals: Health Ranger issues consumer warning. (2016, September 12). Retrieved from https://www.naturalnews.com/055266_shilajit_heavy_metals_health_warning.html

Bhattacharya, S. K. (2006, January 20). Shilajit attenuates streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus and decrease in pancreatic islet superoxide dismutase activity in rats – Bhattacharya – 1995 – Phytotherapy Research – Wiley Online Library. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.2650090110

Carrasco-Gallardo, C., Guzmán, L., & Maccioni, R. B. (2012, February). Shilajit: A natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296184/

Ghosal, S., Lal, J., Singh, S. K., Dasgupta, G., Bhaduri, J., Mukhopadhyay, M., & Bhattacharya, S. K. (2006, May 30). Mast cell protecting effects of shilajit and its constituents – Ghosal – 1989 – Phytotherapy Research – Wiley Online Library. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.2650030606

Goel, R. K., Banerjee, R. S., & Acharya, S. B. (1990, April). Antiulcerogenic and antiinflammatory studies with shilajit. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2345464

Jaiswal, A. (1992, January). Effects of Shilajit on memory, anxiety and brain monoamines in rats. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275715043_Effects_of_Shilajit_on_memory_anxiety_and_brain_monoamines_in_rats

Johnson, J. (2017, December 16). Shilajit: 10 benefits and use. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320318.php

Joukar, S., Najafipour, H., Dabiri, S., Sheibani, M., & Sharokhi, N. (2014, January 22). Cardioprotective effect of mumie (shilajit) on experimentally induced myocardial injury. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12012-014-9245-3

Lal, V. K., Panday, K. K., & Kapoor, M. L. (1988, January). Literary support to the vegetable origin of shilajit. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3336633/

McShinsky, A. (2018, July). Overstressed? Consider these herbal adaptogens: MegaFood Blog. Retrieved from https://www.megafood.com/blog/what-are-adaptogenic-herbs.html

Meena, H., Pandey, H. K., Arya, M. C., & Ahmed, Z. (2010, Winter). Shilajit: A panacea for high-altitude problems. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2876922/

Schepetkin, I. A., Khlebnikov, A. I., Ah, S. Y., Woo, S. B., Jeong, C., Klubachuk, O. N., & Kwon, B. S. (2003, August 27). Characterization and biological activities of humic substances from mumie. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12926866

Schliebs, R., Liebmann, A., Bhattacharya, S. K., Kumar, A., Ghosal, S., & Bigl, V. (1997, February). Systemic administration of defined extracts from Withania somnifera (Indian Ginseng) and Shilajit differentially affects cholinergic but not glutamatergic and GABAergic markers in rat brain. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9017665

Stohs, S. J. (2014, April). Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23733436

Surapaneni, D. K., Adapa, S. R., Preeti, K., Teja, G. R., Veeraragavan, M., & Krishnamurthy, S. (2012, August 30). Shilajit attenuates behavioral symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and mitochondrial bioenergetics in rats. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22771318

Trivedi, N., Bhatt, J., Mazumdar, B., & Hemavathi, K. (2004). Effect of shilajit on blood glucose and lipid profile in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Retrieved from http://www.ijp-online.com/article.asp?issn=0253-7613;year=2004;volume=36;issue=6;spage=373;epage=376;aulast=Trivedi

Source: https://wellnessmama.com/416809/what-is-shilajit/

0 notes

every2piness-blog · 7 years

Text

Three years ago Meg and I hiked to the summit of Mount Saint Helens. We were new to hiking, and it was our first major summit. Despite avid research, I was not prepared to climb over pumice boulders and through ash in the extreme heat. We summited and made it home in one piece, but it was a route that seriously tested me mentally and physically. I spent fifteen minutes on the edge of the crater crying from both misery and joy, and falling in love with Washington volcanoes. Ever since that day, I have wanted to return to the monument with Meg to backpack in the blast zone. I knew that Dome Camp, with its view right into the crater would be the perfect spot to spend the night and reflect on how far we have come.

Mt. St. Helens and I have a rough history. I cried up her flanks to the summit in 2014. In 2015, I bought permits to climb to the summit again but had to cancel due to a lightning storm. I backpacked near Spirit Lake, only to take a wrong turn at the first junction and find myself on a washout 600′ above Spirit Lake. We bailed once it started getting too dark to make it to our campsite, the only time I have had to truly give up while backpacking. We returned the following week and I was surprise sick; the entire first day was a blur. I was determined to not give up again, so I pushed through and admittedly had a good second day. This year, I hoped to break my curse, enjoy Mt. St. Helens and relished returning to the volcano with Meg. When an opportunity to snag a mid-week permit on Wednesday and Thursday to Dome Camp, with a view straight into the crater emerged, I jumped at the chance. We were going back to Helens!

Day 1

Boundary Trail no. 1

We arrived at Johnston Ridge Observatory at 11 am and checked in with a ranger about conditions on the trail. The rangers didn’t know if Dome Camp still had water, so we each decided to carry 5L and bring a water filter, just in case. Given the lack of shade for the majority of the trail, we knew we would need more water than usual, and didn’t want to take risks in an unforgiving environment.

We strapped on our large packs, covered ourselves with sunscreen and walked through the parking lot to the paved trail. It felt a little ridiculous surrounded by tourists, walking on a paved trail with all of our overnight gear, but after about a quarter-mile, the trail transitioned to pumice and ash. The trail initially traverses the ridge, then turns north, so this section of the trail was our closest view of Mt. St. Helens. She loomed impressively large, and the landscape is desolate and hot. This area includes the direct blast zone where virtually everything was obliterated. Unlike later in the hike, where downed or stripped trees are the norm, this section of the trail is almost all ash, pumice and a few shrubs. We alternated between hurrying to get out of the area with no shade or water, and wanting to stop and enjoy the unworldly environment.

Starting out on the Boundary Trail

Pumice, ash and shrubs

Whole lotta brown.

After walking along the ridge for a few miles, we dropped lower through mounds of pumice and ash that looked like mini volcanoes, then across another ridge, where things started to get a bit more green. A heavy, rusted bridge covered a washed out section and the trail climbed to a broad saddle. To the right is Harry’s lookout, where the majority of the people on the trail were heading, but we turned to the left, and we began to climb up long switchbacks.

The trail was lined with strawberries and the sweetness in the air was almost overpowering. Switchback after switchback we rose above the shallow saddle until, at last, St. Helen’s Lake came into view. We stopped for a little lunch then continued on along the backside of the foothill. After a few more switchbacks, the trail narrowed significantly with a steep drop-off.

#gallery-0-13 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-13 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-13 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-13 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Cool bridge

Strawberries!

One of many switchbacks

Foxglove lined the trail

As we rounded the corner, the trail led to a spectacular rock arch. It dramatically framed Mt. Adams and was pretty neat to walk under. We crossed over the ridge via the rock arch and continued traversing across the basin. Views of Mt. St. Helens, St. Helens Lake, and Spirit Lake continued to get better and better. The trail traversed under Coldwater Peak, and we decided to wait until for the following day to climb when we had reliable water. The strawberries and mountain huckleberries lining the trail slowed our progress as we ate our way across the basin.

The trail continued traversing above St. Helen’s lake. Unlike the earlier section of Boundary Trail, this region has many skeletal white trees. Most lay flat (or floating in a lake), though others remained as truncated stumps, a mere reflection of their original massive size. We crossed many saddles that seemed like they surely must be the campsite, until we finally arrived at Dome Camp. The first tent site was on a ridge, with phenomenal views of the volcano and Spirit Lake. It was the exact spot I have been dreaming to stay since our first summit. However, there was also a cozy tent site tucked behind the ridge, in a field of wildflowers, that was even more appealing than the ridge site.

Dome Camp

While the ridge campsite had incredible views right into the crater, the wind had picked up and was gusting at about 25 mph. We decided to pitch the tent in the sheltered area and enjoy sitting on the ridge. This decision was validated when clouds rolled over and obscured Mt. St. Helens. With the views quickly becoming white mist, we set out to make dinner. We finished the Underwood can of sparkling wine–way better than the Pinot Noir–and cooked up some ravioli with dehydrated pasta sauce. I also packed in some flourless chocolate cake for dessert, which proved to be delicious and totally worth the weight.

#gallery-0-14 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-14 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-0-14 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-14 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Rounding the corner to Dome Camp

Our water source, small but effective

Jumping for joy-the curse is lifted!

View from the ridge

Wildflowers above the tent site.

Tent site is on the left, toilet on the left.

#gallery-0-15 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-15 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-0-15 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-15 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Storm rolling in

Tent in its cozy home

The field right before we fell asleep

Yummy bubbles!

Day 2

Dome Camp

As the fog continued to encroach on our campsite, we crawled into bed for a solid night’s sleep. When we woke at 6:00 the next morning, the skies were blue and Mt. St. Helens was glowing in the sunrise. I left the tent at a run, grabbing my camera and scrambling up the trail, to the viewpoint where St. Helens lake was visible. We sat enjoying the mist covering the valley below Mt. St. Helens for about an hour. A herd of elk galloped through the meadow below us, crunching branches as they rushed past. Despite having my camera in my hands, they ran so quickly I was not able to grab a picture. In all honesty, it was my first time seeing elk in the backcountry and I simply wanted to soak it all in. We have gone some incredible places backpacking, and seen some jaw-dropping things, but this moment at sunrise with the elk and the mist has a spot in the top five.

Eventually, the desire for coffee was stronger than the desire to sit in the warm sunshine, watching the light crawl across the valley. We returned to camp, made breakfast and packed up. We retraced our steps above St. Helens Lake until we reached the junction to Coldwater Peak.

Coldwater Peak

With packs full of water, we were ready to climb Coldwater Peak. The side-trail to the summit is 0.7 miles with gentle, though exposed, switchbacks. The grade starts off very mild but gets increasingly more difficult as you get higher. It was completely worth the quad burn it for the views, however. In all honesty, we doubted the views would be that much better than what we could see from the normal trail, but halfway up Mt. Rainier appeared over the ridge. The craggy rocks lining the trail seemed wild and spectacular and being able to point to Coldwater Peak for the rest of the walk back and tell tourists we climbed that made it totally worth the side-trip.

With Rainier, Adams, Hood, Shasta, and of course, Mt. St. Helens all visible, it was one of the most incredible panoramas I have witnessed. The clouds still filled the valley and we appeared to be floating above the cloudline. We shared the summit with scientific equipment and could see our return trip stretched before us. The parking lot was both tantalizingly close and impossibly far.

Boundary Trail no. 1

We headed back down the Coldwater Peak trail and onto the Boundary Trail. We soon reached the arch again, stopped for more pictures and a rest on the cool rocks. Pushing on, we made it back to the saddle and into the hot, treeless blast zone. We continued despite our fatigue and sun-tiredness until stopping about half a mile before the car to eat lunch. Our lunch spot ended up being perfect; it looked directly on a herd of elk relaxing in the sun. They appeared to be the same group we saw that morning and they looked miserably hot on a mound of pumice. Whereas our morning group ran so rapidly we couldn’t take a picture, these elk were so still that I pulled out binoculars to make sure they were not dead.

#gallery-0-16 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-16 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-16 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-16 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Fingers stained blue from huckleberries

Approaching the arch

A hillside filled with ferns

Looking at the parking lot, our final destination.

Are we there yet?

I swear there are elk in this picture.

We reached the observatory, changed into real clothes and popped into the ranger station to give them an update on the water source. After seeing so few people over the previous two days, it was quite the culture shock to be in the busy observatory. We attempted reading about the trail and eruption but were simply too tired. Three hours later, we returned home, I ate a burrito and slept for a long time.

Dome Camp- Mt. St. Helens Three years ago Meg and I hiked to the summit of Mount Saint Helens. We were new to hiking, and it was our first major summit.

0 notes