Magical “cure-alls” don’t exist. But what about time-traveling longevity supplements?
What if I told you that there exist centuries-old remedies that extend life, reduce stress, & balance energy? And they do all this with just one pea-sized serving a day?
Well, wonder not, because I’m here to confirm: they do exist. These remedies are ones you may have even heard of before, under the names “shilajit” & “fulvic acid”.
Whimsy aside, shilajit & fulvic acid have legitimate health benefits that many research studies can attest to. How do they offer these seemingly miraculous benefits?
First, let’s start by breaking down what, exactly, they are…
Defining The “Mystical”
Both shilajit & fulvic acid are considered “millenary substances”. Or, substances that take hundreds-to-thousands of years to form.
What are they made out of?
Fulvic acid & shilajit come from plants that existed & broke down in undisturbed pockets over many years. Hence the “millenary” namesake.
The foundation of their health benefits rests within their chemical structures. Though they’re both made of broken down plants, they differ slightly in composition due to their origins.
Even from deposit-to-deposit, chemical makeup & bond-structures of fulvic acid or shilajit can emphasize the proliferation of some benefits over others. This is because of the different minerals that exist within different parts of the world, at various altitudes, and under distinct climates & weather conditions.
For simplicity’s sake, let’s cover some of the most common ground where shilajit & fulvic acid can be found…
On The Origin Of Mineral(-based substances)
Fulvic acid & shilajit have distinct criteria under which they form.
For example, shilajit is sourced from multiple places. However, all of these are in high, mountainous regions. The most common being: the Himalayas or Andes. And some notable mentions including: the Tibetan Plateau and other mountainous regions in Afghanistan & Russia.
On the other hand, fulvic acid forms under a broader framework than shilajit. It doesn’t have any strict altitude criteria and has been mined from areas as high as the Himalayas, as low as the deepest peat bogs, and as in-the-middle as leonardite deposits in North Dakota.
Interestingly enough, because they have such similar formation methods– and even some origin-areas of intersect– shilajit has a significant amount of fulvic acid within it. In fact, many of shilajit’s health benefits are attributed to its fulvic acid content.
Of course, at the end of the day, their differences in origin criteria do create some distinct characteristics in each that should be addressed as well…
Resolving Fundamental Differences
Long-story short(ened), the Himalayas’ shilajit and North Dakota’s fulvic-containing leonardite deposits are made from different “stuff”.
They are both made up of bonded elements from rocks & plant-matter. But, the “rocks & plant-matter” that made these deposit areas were fundamentally composed of different rock types & plant species before they broke down.
In fact, even between Himalayan-shilajit and Andes-shilajit, or North Dakotan-fulvic and Spanish peat bog-fulvic, there are constitutional differences in elemental composition.
This is why, where many sources of shilajit have been found to be safe for consumption, some do contain toxic amounts of heavy metals. A fact that’s important to know when you’re looking to buy a shilajit or fulvic acid supplement.
Thankfully, reputable companies will provide up-to-date Certificates of Analyses with tests for heavy metals, bacteria, & other toxins clearly listed.
Broadening a bit from deposit-specific differences, it has been shown that shilajit contains dibenzo-ɑ-pyrones. In contrast, there is no specific research on the link between fulvic acid supplements & their possession of dibenzo-ɑ-pyrones.
Having this understanding about deposit & substance-specific mineral variability gives us a helpful leg up into discussing the health benefits that arise from shilajit & fulvic acid…
Health Benefits & Their Pairings
In the interest of getting down to brass tacks: fulvic acid & shilajit have many similar health benefits. This isn’t a surprising conclusion, as shilajit comprises a significant percentage of fulvic acid.
Fulvic acid itself is a very powerful substance. Known as an “adaptogenic substance”, it aids in creating bodily homeostasis. Or, in helping your body respond to internal stressors in more efficient ways.
These efficiency-aids take different forms as needed. For example, fulvic acid has antioxidant properties, which help reduce inflammation in multiple parts of the body. Fulvic acid can also help with digestion, possesses anti-viral qualities, & act as a transport vehicle for food-derived nutrients.
Taking a fulvic acid supplement– versus shilajit– tends to concentrate these specific effects a bit more.
However, the addition of dibenzo-ɑ-pyrones in shilajit is nothing to sniff at.
As is natural to conclude based on their presence in shilajit: dibenzo-ɑ-pyrones come from the breakdown of plants & fungi. Just like shilajit & fulvic acid, they themselves can vary in beneficial characteristics depending on what species of plants or fungi they’re derived from.
Some of the most prominent effects that dibenzo-ɑ-pyrones– and, by association, shilajit– contain are: anti-allergic and anti-cancer properties.
Fulvic acid has been shown to target some cancerous cells as well. However, this field of research needs more in-depth investigation before comfortably stating anything more substantial on the matter.
Being as fulvic acid & shilajit are formed from very similar processes, with similar base-ingredients, neither one is specifically “better” than the other. It’s really a matter of preference and what best aligns with your health goals.
Now that we’ve defined fulvic acid & shilajit– plus, their origins, differences, and health benefits– it can be safe to assume that a comprehensive overview of these substances has been provided…
The Wrap Up
When faced with the sheer foundation of research they stand upon, it’s easy to see how shilajit & fulvic acid took social media markets by storm when they first gained popularity in the eye of the western world.
Unfortunately, this popularity has led to some significant misinformation & even a rise in counterfeit products. Hopefully this article served well to inform you of what, exactly, shilajit & fulvic acid are, and what they can offer to you, if you decide to add them into your diet.
Stay safe, research thoroughly, & be well.
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