What is mumiyo and is it really good for health

What is mumiyo

Mumiyo is a black or brown viscous substance resembling resin, which oozingC. Carrasco‑Gallardo, L. Guzman, R. b. Maccioni. Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with Potential Procognitive Activity / International journal of Alzheimer's disease from rocks in the Himalayas, Pamirs, Altai, as well as in the mountain systems of South America and Australia. It is also called shilajit or mountain wax.

It is believed that this is the product of centuries of work of microorganisms, decomposing the remains of plants and possibly animals. In mining areas, such as India, Nepal and Tajikistan, shilajit is considered healing and includedC. Velmurugan, B. Vivek, E. wilson. Evaluation of safety profile of black shilajit after 91 days repeated administration in rats / Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine part of the local diet. It is taken to maintain health and energy and increase physical strength.

The scientific world also recognizes the biological activity of the supplement and explains its beneficial effect with a high content of fulvic acids. Depending on the place of extraction, these substances constituteC. Velmurugan, B. Vivek, E. wilson. Evaluation of safety profile of black shilajit after 91 days repeated administration in rats / Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine from 15 to 21.4% mumiyo. In addition to them, the composition also includes ellagic acid, fatty acids and amino acids, resins, albumins, sterols, carboxylic acids, polyphenols and phenolic lipids.

Can mumiyo improve health

In animal experiments discoveredC. Carrasco‑Gallardo, L. Guzman. Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with Potential Procognitive Activity / International journal of Alzheimer's diseasethat shilajit can protect against oxidative stress and allergies, reduce pain and inflammation, improve diabetes and stomach ulcers.

Since there are very few human studies, conventional medicine does not recognize this remedy as effective for treating or preventing anything. At the same time, manufacturers of supplements with mumiyo promise accelerated regeneration of the whole organism and maintenance immunity.

Below we will analyze the possible benefits of taking mountain wax, based on a few scientific studies with human participation.

Increase fertility in men

In one small study figured outT. K. Biswas, S. Pandit, S. Mondal. Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia / Andrologiathat shilajit can affect sperm quality.

In the experiment, 60 men with reduced fertility took 100 mg of mumiyo twice a day for three months. At the end of the experiment, the number of sperm in the participants increased by an average of 61.4%, and the speed of their movement by 12-17%. In addition, testosterone levels increased by 23.5% in men.

Effect on this sex hormone discoveredS. Pandit, S. Biswas, U. Jan. Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers / Andrologia and in another experiment. During it, healthy men aged 45–55 years old took 250 mg of mumiyo twice a day for the same period. By the end of the experiment, the level of general testosterone increased by 17%, and free - not associated with blood proteins and biologically active - by 16%.

Of course, two studies are not enough to call mumiyo a cure for male infertility or an anabolic, but in the future, the supplement may have a positive effect on hormonal levels.

Confronting fatigue during exercise

In one experiment checkedJ. L. Keller, T. J. Housh, E. C. Hill. The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue‑induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels / Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutritionhow taking mumiyo will affect the physical performance of young men.

The participants were divided into three groups: the first received 250 mg of the supplement per day, the second received twice as much, and the third drank a placebo. After two months, people who took 500 mg of shilajit were significantly better at resisting fatigue during exercise, maintaining muscle strength for a longer period.

The scientists hypothesized that the effect could be explained by the effect of the supplement on the function of mitochondria, the cellular organelles responsible for energy production.

Help with recovery after exercise

In the already mentioned experimentJ. L. Keller, T. J. Housh, E. C. Hill. The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue‑induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels / Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition men measured the level of hydroxyproline - an amino acid, the high level of which indicates the destruction collagen.

This protein is found in many body tissues, including ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, which are often subject to intense physical activity.

Those who took 500 mg of shilajit had 29% less hydroxyproline than people who drank a placebo. Scientists have suggested that the supplement helps reduce damage and maintain connective tissue health.

The effect on collagen was noted in another researchA. Das, S. Datta, b. Rhea. The Human Skeletal Muscle Transcriptome in Response to Oral Shilajit Supplementation / Journal of Medicinal Food involving overweight people with type 1 diabetes.

During the month, the subjects worked out on the treadmill three days a week for 30 minutes, and also took a 250 mg supplement with shilajit. At the end of the experiment, scientists noted that people increased the expression of genes responsible for collagen production, which had a positive effect on the adaptation of muscles to stress, their recovery and regeneration.

But, again, two studies are not enough to recommend shilajit to athletes as a means for a speedy recovery.

Protection against Alzheimer's disease

It is believed that shilajit may protect nerve cells from damage and possibly improve cognitive function.

At the same time, there is some scientific data only about the disease. Alzheimer's - a disease in which the accumulation of amyloid protein and tau protein occurs in nerve cells. The latter forms spiral plexuses, as a result of which the neurons cease to perform their function and eventually die.

SupposedA. Cornejo, J. M. Jimenez, L. Caballero. Fulvic acid inhibits aggregation and promotes disassembly of tau fibrils associated with Alzheimer's disease / Journal of Alzheimer's disease, what fulvic acids as part of mumiyo, they are able to suppress the accumulation of tau protein and even break already formed spirals, reducing their length.

However, the topic requires further research and experiments involving humans. As for the cognitive abilities of healthy people, there is no data on this.

Can mumiyo harm

As a rule, the experiments do not mention side effects from taking shilajit at a dosage of 250-500 mg / day.

In one researchC. Velmurugan, B. Vivek, E. wilson. Evaluation of safety profile of black shilajit after 91 days repeated administration in rats / Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine tested how huge doses of the supplement would affect the health of rats and mice, and found no harm to the organs. Only the highest dosage, 5 g per 1 kg, provided some changes in the liver and intestines.

To obtain such an amount of a substance, a person weighing 70 kg would have to eat 350 g of mumiyo or 1,750 standard 200 mg tablets.

And yet, in one scientific work notedC. Carrasco‑Gallardo, L. Guzman, R. b. Maccioni. Shilajit: A Natural Phytocomplex with Potential Procognitive Activity / International journal of Alzheimer's diseasethat a poorly purified product can potentially lead to intoxication due to the content of mycotoxins, oxidizing agents and heavy metals, including mercury, lead and arsenic.

Is it worth taking mumiyo

Taking shilajit at a dosage of 200-500 mg per day is unlikely to harm you, but whether it will bring benefits is a big question.

At home, it is impossible to accurately assess recovery rate, energy levels, or sperm quality. So all the positive effects of shilajit can equally well be the result of its biological activity or your belief in it.

The cost of tablets with mountain wax is about 150 rubles for 20 pieces. And until there is high-quality scientific evidence of the benefits of the supplement, it would be more rational to spend this money on another bell pepper.