In the process of creating a men’s prenatal vitamin based on all the available research in men’s fertility nutrition, we unearthed a few key nutrients that are surprisingly absent even in most men’s multivitamins. Shilajit is one of them. It may be a mouthful to say, but this adaptogen has been an important part of Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, thanks to its powerful anti-aging benefits. Still, that’s not why it has a starring role in Beli Vitality for Men. Our proprietary formula is the first to include this powerhouse ingredient, which we added specifically because clinical trials have confirmed its efficacy for male fertility, including improved sperm count and overall sperm quality. Impressive, right? If you’re researching Shilajit for male fertility, read on for everything you need to know.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Shilajit, an important element of Ayurvedic medicine been used for centuries to improve stamina, longevity, and virility. It’s a naturally-occurring substance formed through the decomposition of humus and plant remains.
- Clinical studies confirm that Shilajit improves sperm count and quality, promotes blood flow to male genitalia, and reduces anxiety and stress, among other benefits.
- Shilajit’s potency and efficacy led to its designation as a “strategic material” and closely-guarded state secret in the former USSR. In fact, Shilajit deserves some credit for the Olympic dominance of the Soviet and Eastern Bloc during the Cold War era!
- Beli Vitality for Men was the first men’s prenatal vitamin to include Shilajit for male fertility.
MEET SHILAJIT
You know it’s important in Ayurvedic medicine, it’s been around forever, and it’s a veritable goldmine for male fertility. But what exactly is Shilajit? Good question! And honestly, it’s not much to look at — but looks can be deceiving, as we all know. In its natural state, Shilajit is a naturally occurring, blackish-brown rock substance that’s formed by the gradual decomposition of humus and plants remains. It’s most commonly found in the Himalayan mountain range between India and Nepal, but variations have also been also found in Tibet, Russia, Afghanistan, and the Chilean Andes. Because of its ability to improve stamina and longevity, Shilajit is consumed daily in parts of Nepal and northern India. But its roots are deep — Shilajit has been used for centuries.
SHILAJIT THROUGH THE CENTURIES
Even its name is impressive — Shilajit is Sanskrit and translates to “conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness.” It has a very long history, with recorded use for restoring energetic balance and enhancing vitality dating back more than 2,500 years. Preparation of the material for human consumption was reputedly devised by Aristotle and some of the earliest use of this substance was in ancient Greece.
In the mid-20th century, Shilajit research really accelerated and use among elite athletes and special armed forces in the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc nations became widespread, thanks to Shilajit’s beneficial effects on endurance, muscle strength, and recovery. In fact, Shilajit has been widely used by Russian Olympic athletes, cosmonauts, national athletes and the elite military forces.
Much of the research done at this time was conducted by Dr. Nikolai Volkov, professor of biochemistry at the Moscow Institute of Physical Education, and one of the respected members of the Ascential Advisory Committee. The results of Dr. Volkov’s studies led to Shilajit being designated as a “strategic material” and a closely guarded state secret in the former USSR. Shilajit played a major role in the Soviet and Eastern Bloc’s dominance in the Olympics during the Cold War era. That kind of gives you an idea of what exceptional value there is in this very unique compound!
The more we've learned about Shilajit, the more we've come to love this naturally occurring wonder. There's no denying that there are dozens (if not hundreds) of dietary supplement ingredients that have been shown to support male health. So what makes Shilajit different — and better? Let's take a closer look at one of the most regularly cited (not to mention significant) modern studies concerning the potential benefits of Shilajit.
THE STUDY: "CLINICAL EVALUATION OF SPERMATOGENIC ACTIVITY OF PROCESSED SHILAJIT IN OLIGOSPERMIA"
As formal and complicated as the name of this study may sound, it's really just the scientific (and concise) way of saying: "A Formal Evaluation of How Shilajit Does (or Does Not) Affect the Sperm Counts of Men With Infertility (Due to Low Sperm Counts and Other Factors)." For this study, 60 male volunteers were given 100 mg of Shilajit twice a day for a 90-day period.
At the start of this trial, a number of metrics were recorded for each participant. The list of metrics included total semenogram and serum testosterone, luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, Malondialdehyde (a marker for oxidative stress), and semen content, among other factors.
It's also worth noting that at the start of the trial, all 60 of the male participants were observed to have had sperm counts of 20 million or less (which technically qualifies them as "oligospermatic," or infertile).
THE RESULTS
Of the 28 participants who completed the trial, some significant (P < 0.0001) improvements (relative to the established baselines) were observed. Among other things, researchers noted that:
- Total sperm count increased (+61.4%)
- Motility (ability to move) increased (+12.4-17.4% at different intervals)
- Normal sperm count increased (+18.9%)
- Serum testosterone increased (+23.5%; P < 0.001)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone increased (FSH; P < 0.05)
- Improved reproductive health improving sperm quantity and quality
Shilajit has also been shown to relieve anxiety and stress, which can improve sexual arousal and enhance virility. As if that weren’t enough, men who’ve taken Shilajit also report increased levels of energy and general well being. Other studies find that Andean Shilajit may effectively treat certain cognitive disorders. Really, this compound is positively dizzying in its abilities! Beyond its fertility effects, other benefits of Shilajit include:
- Increasing energy and endurance
- Improving athletic performance
- Natural brain boost for improved concentration and brain health
- Improving heart health
- Great anti-aging properties for skin
- Boosting immune system
- Alleviating altitude sickness
THE BOTTOM LINE
We say it again and again — getting pregnant is largely about increasing your odds. Science is clear that key nutrients can go a very long way, and taking Beli’s proprietary vitality blend with Shilajit is an easy way to boost the pregnancy potential of sperm. A man’s health prior to conception can play a profound impact on his fertility, his partner’s fertility and the long-term health of their baby, which means a high-quality prenatal as part of a healthy lifestyle is kind of a no-brainer. So — are you taking your vitamins?
