Ashwagandha vs Shilajit
DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Long before the advent of modern medicine, people used to treat different conditions using traditional medicines that were made of plants, herbs, and shrubs. These traditional medicines require a lot of effort and time in their preparation as opposed to modern medicines which are easily accessible in ready-to-consume form and do not demand much of your time.
Although modern medicine has taken over the market completely, there are people who still want to avail the benefits of traditional medicines. So, should they go out and find the required herbs and mix them together? Well, thanks to dietary supplements you do not need to put in that much effort.
Nowadays you can avail all the perks of traditional medicines by opting for dietary supplements prepared using ingredients of traditional medicines. Ashwagandha and shilajit are the two most popular ingredients used in traditional medicines and are available as nutritional supplements.
Follow the article below to learn more about the health benefits of ashwagandha and shilajit.
ASHWAGANDHA
Ashwagandha is a small shrub with a botanical name, Withania somnifera, and nicknames Indian ginseng and winter cherry. This shrub with yellow flowers is native to India and some regions of Southeast Asia.
Regular consumption of ashwagandha supplementation may help you deal with stress and axierty, improve cognitive function and memory, boost athletic performance, and increase fertility in men.
Below is a detailed explanation of the health benefits that can be availed by using ashwagandha supplements on a regular basis:
MANAGE STRESS AND ANXIETY
Ashwagandha is a popular adaptogen known to help your body fight stress. It regulates the stress mediators such as cortisol, heat shock proteins (Hsp70), and stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK-1).
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a system in your body that regulates the stress response, and its activity can be suppressed by ashwagandha consumption.
Research has also demonstrated that ashwagandha supplementation also reduces anxiety and improves your sleep quality which is one of the factors that affect your overall mental well-being.
BOOST MALE FERTILITY
Ashwagandha can increase testosterone levels and therefore may improve male fertility. It is associated with a high amount of DHEA-S, which is a sex hormone actively involved in the production of testosterone.
Regularly consuming ashwagandha may also improve semen volume, sperm count, concentration, and motility all of which are important determinants of male fertility.
IMPROVE ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Ashwagandha has the ability to boost your physical performance by enhancing your strength and oxygen consumption during the workout.
It significantly increases the VO2 max, which is the maximum amount of oxygen consumed by a person during intense physical activity and is an indicator of your heart and lung fitness.
Optimal VO2 mAx is essential for everyone as low VO2 max is linked with increased mortality, and high VO2 max is associated with a significantly lower risk of heart disease. Ashwagandha also improves your muscle strength and ensures that your athletic performance remains unmatched.
SHILAJIT
Shilajit is a sticky substance produced by the natural decomposition of plants over centuries and is primarily found in Himalayan rocks.
It has been used in traditional medicine for a long time and can help manage diseases of the heart, brain, and blood, and may slow down aging.
Following are some of the health benefits provided by shilajit supplements in the long run:
FIGHT CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition characterized by extreme tiredness or fatigue for the long term. People with this condition may find it difficult to go to school or work and day-to-day activities seem tiresome to them.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in your body is believed to be associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. Regular shilajit consumption may prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and consequently reduce the effects of chronic fatigue syndrome.
PREVENT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Alzheimer’s disease is described as a progressive brain disorder that impairs your memory, behavior, and cognitive abilities. Although the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not known it is often associated with an abnormal build-up of proteins in brain tissue.
Shilajit contains a powerful antioxidant named fulvic acid which prevents the build-up of tau proteins and as a result prevents damage to brain cells. Fulvic acid also possesses anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce inflammation to improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
REDUCE HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS
High altitudes have low atmospheric pressure, high wind velocity, and cold temperatures which may often trigger a variety of symptoms collectively called high altitude sickness.
Body pain, fatigue, insomnia, hypoxia, dementia, and pulmonary edema are some of the common signs and symptoms associated with high altitude sickness.
The fulvic acid in shilajit supplements acts as an antioxidant to boost your immune system activity and improve memory. Shilajit supplementation also acts as a diuretic to remove excessive fluid from your body.
Together these effects of shilajit consumption fight against different signs and symptoms of high altitude sickness including dementia, body pain and fatigue, and pulmonary edema.
WRAPPING UP
Everyone who is aware of traditional medicines must have heard of ashwagandha and shilajit as both of them are two extremely popular ingredients used to manage various medical conditions since ancient times.
Ashwagandha, a small shrub of Indian origin act as an adaptogen and help you body to cope with stress and anxiety. It also improves your brain function, memory, and physical endurance. Ashwagandha supplements can reduce inflammation and may help boost male fertility as well.
Shilajit which is a result of slow decomposition of plants is mainly obtained from the rocks of the Himalayas and is believed to be beneficial for managing disorders of the blood, brain, and heart. It also fights chronic fatigue syndrome and has anti-aging effects.
It is recommended that you speak with your healthcare provider before starting ashwagandha or shilajit supplementation, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications for any underlying health conditions.
Here you can check out Vorst’s Ashwagandha 1000mg 60 Capsules, Premium Ashwagandha with Black Pepper 1300mg 120 Vegan Capsules, and Ashwagandha 3600mg Raw Herb 60 Vegan Gummies Cola Flavour.
REFERENCES
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6979308/