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Shilajit And Cholesterol

High cholesterol is an issue that is becoming increasingly common as our diets and lifestyles change, and the links between shilajit and cholesterol are the latest topic to gain traction when it comes to helping people combat it. However, while many of the other solutions to high cholesterol only have a minimal effect, studies show that shilajit can indeed produce impressive results when it comes to balancing a person’s cholesterol levels.

The only problem is, as a new and fairly unusual supplement, many people have not even heard of shilajit, and lots of those who have are still unsure about trying it for themselves. This is a real shame, as it seems to be far more effective than most of its competitors. That is why we decided to write this article to explain everything there is to know about shilajit and its effect on cholesterol, to give you the confidence you need to try it for yourself.

Table of Contents

What Is Shilajit?

Shilajit is a natural resin rich in minerals that is extracted from certain rocks found in high-altitude regions of the Himalayas and some other mountain ranges in the region. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, as well as in many other forms of traditional medicine throughout most of Asia, due to the extensive range of mental and physical health benefits that it is believed to offer.

While its use was long based solely on hyperbolic evidence, recent clinical studies have proven that most of its claimed benefits are indeed true. It is thought that these benefits are produced not only due to its very high mineral content but also due to the fact that shilajit is extremely high in two other very beneficial compounds, fulvic acid and humic acid, with the former being believed to be the main reason shilajit is as useful as it is (1).

The list of health benefits that shilajit is capable of offering is extensive, but in today’s article, we will be focusing primarily on how it helps lower cholesterol. For anyone who wants to learn more about the other benefits it offers though, we recently published an article that examines each benefit in far greater detail, which you can read here.

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in every cell of your body. It is essential for various bodily functions to occur, but too much of it can be harmful to your health. Cholesterol is produced by your liver, and it can also be obtained from certain foods, especially those that come from animals, such as meat, eggs, and dairy. Most people who eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise should not have to worry about their cholesterol.

The Different Types Of Cholesterol

There are two main types of cholesterol, which are Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), or “Bad” Cholesterol, and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), or “Good” Cholesterol. You then also have triglycerides, which are another form of fat in the blood that is slightly different. High triglyceride levels, combined with high LDL or low HDL levels, can greatly increase a person’s risk of heart disease.

LDL carries cholesterol from your liver to the cells that need it. However, if there’s too much LDL cholesterol in the blood, it can build up on the walls of the arteries, forming plaques. This buildup can narrow the arteries and lead to a condition known as atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

HDL is responsible for carrying cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it can be processed and eliminated from the body. High HDL levels are considered beneficial because they help reduce the risk of heart disease by removing excess cholesterol from the blood vessels.

Some cholesterol is necessary to help form the structure of membranes that protect and surround each cell, produce essential hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol, help the body synthesize vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight, and produce the bile that helps digest fats. However, having too much cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol, can put you at far greater risk of developing health issues like heart disease (2).

Did you know that Shilajit can boost testosterone?

Shilajit And Cholesterol: How Does Shilajit Lower Cholesterol Levels?

It Boasts Antioxidant Properties

Shilajit is rich in antioxidants, particularly fulvic acid. Antioxidants are compounds that can neutralize free radicals and help reduce oxidative stress, which studies have shown can contribute to the formation of plaques in the arteries and cause damage.

By reducing this oxidative damage, shilajit can help to prevent the oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol, which is a key step in the development of atherosclerosis and plaque buildup in arteries, lowering both your cholesterol levels and the risk of this condition in the process (3).

It Produces Anti-inflammatory Effects

Chronic inflammation is often associated with both high cholesterol and heart disease. Shilajit has potent anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammation throughout the body, including in the blood vessels. This means it supports heart health and lowers cholesterol directly, while also reducing stresses on other parts of the body that could further exacerbate these issues (4).

It Improves Your Lipid Profile

Some studies suggest that shilajit can help improve a person’s lipid profile by reducing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, while potentially increasing HDL (good) cholesterol, helping to promote a healthier balance of total cholesterol levels in the blood. Beyond its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and ability to directly affect the cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood, it achieves this by improving the function of your liver, as well as your overall metabolic health and functions (5).

It Boosts Your Metabolism

Shilajit is believed to help regulate metabolic processes in the human body, including the metabolism of fats, which it achieves by enhancing ATP synthesis and energy production, optimizing your hormonal balance, improving digestion, nutrient absorption, physical performance, and endurance, reducing stress and cortisol levels, and combatting free radicals and oxidative damage.

By improving your overall metabolic function, it can help the body process and eliminate excess bad cholesterol more efficiently, optimizing your levels and bringing them back into alignment.