Overview
In our previous article, we have discussed the major health benefits of Shilajit and how it could help with numerous conditions. However, we did not cover the potential side effects of Shilajit.
As you may know, every substance on earth has its side effects when taken in excessive amounts or too frequently. In fact, even water can be fatal if we consume large amounts in a short period of time.
In this article, we will briefly discuss the major side effects to expect from taking Shilajit.
Shilajit side effects
Unfortunately, there is scarce medical research that studied the side effects of Shilajit on humans. Therefore, everything mentioned in this article should be taken with a grain of salt.
Gout
Gout is a medical condition characterized by excessive production of uric acid in the body. As a result, uric acid will deposit inside the joints and cause severe pain, swelling, and stiffness.
If you look online, you might find some articles that discuss the potential effect of Shilajit on increasing uric acid production; however, there is no scientific evidence to back up this claim.
Some scientists even believe that Shilajit is a great remedy to reduce pain related to gout.
Nevertheless, if you have gout, and you’re thinking of taking Shilajit, it is advised to discuss this topic with your primary care physician to receive the best possible guidance.
Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease that runs in families. This disease is caused by the abnormal metabolism of iron that leads to excessive iron levels in the blood. As a result, the iron starts to deposit in many tissues, including the liver, pancreas, eyes, and heart.
As we discussed in our previous article (insert link of Shilajit article benefits), Shilajit could be used to increase iron levels during iron deficiency anemia. This led people to believe that taking Shilajit supplements would worsen the symptoms of hemochromatosis.
In a 2012 study, researchers expressed their concern of the potential toxicity of Shilajit in hemochromatosis, however, they then added that “the present study data suggest that long term use of Shilajit did not show any toxicity and the iron content of Shilajit almost has the same level in all the dose level and histopathological studies show the normal histology of all the organs except the intestine and liver, which did not have significant change in the histological architecture. Hence, it can be considered being normal.”
In simple English, there is no evidence that long-term use of Shilajit can cause iron toxicity.
Sickle cell anemia
Similar to hemochromatosis, there have been some claims about the potentially harmful effects of Shilajit on sickle cell anemia; however, no concrete data supports this theory.
Allergic reactions
Because Shilajit contains many active compounds within it, one or more of those substances may cause an allergic reaction.
This could present as a simple rash, runny nose, and sneezing; however, in severe cases, the immune reaction is intense enough to cause anaphylaxis, which is a fatal medical condition if left untreated.
Do not panic just yet! Anaphylaxis is very rare and is not exclusive to Shilajit. In fact, any substance on earth can cause an anaphylactic reaction.
Contraindications
There are no official contraindications of Shilajit due to limited research.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is a good idea to stop using it.
However, some studies done in a laboratory environement found that Shilajit is safe even during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Shilajit is a relatively safe substance that barely causes any side effects. Nevertheless, we need more research to come up with final conclusions about its toxicity and the safe dose margins.
