A review published in 2012 looked at shilajit, a natural substance found in mountains, to see how it might help with memory and brain health, especially for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. The review gathered information from lab studies, traditional uses, and early research, focusing on what shilajit is made of, how it might work, and whether it’s safe. Researchers used lab tests to see how shilajit affects brain cells, its ability to stop harmful protein clumps linked to Alzheimer’s, and its antioxidant strength.

The main findings showed that fulvic acid, a key part of shilajit, can stop the buildup of tau proteins, which are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. In tests with rat brain cells, shilajit helped more cells grow branches (from 18% to 26%), and these branches were longer (from 17.4 to 26.0 micrometers). When shilajit was combined with B vitamins, the effects were even stronger (43% of cells with branches; branch length 39.6 micrometers). Shilajit also showed strong antioxidant effects, which may help protect brain cells. However, the review noted that shilajit’s makeup can vary a lot depending on where it comes from and how it’s prepared.

These results suggest that shilajit, especially its fulvic acid, might help protect the brain and support memory, possibly offering a new way to prevent or help treat Alzheimer’s. The study also points out that more research is needed, especially in people, to be sure about how well it works and how safe it is. There are also concerns about possible contamination with heavy metals or toxins if shilajit isn’t properly purified.

Future research should focus on carefully controlled studies in people, making sure shilajit is safe and effective, and understanding exactly how it helps the brain. Overall, this review suggests that shilajit could be an important natural option for brain health and protecting against memory problems, but more proof is needed before it can be widely recommended.

Source link:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3296184/