New mums are being warned about a post-pregnancy trend which could be very bad for your health and for your baby. Shilajit resin is the latest nutritional supplement promoted by health and wellness influencers on social media to postpartum mothers.
The exotic substance collected from caves in mountain ranges such as the Himalayas contains heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and even arsenic – meaning it could make you and your baby very ill.
Shilajit is a naturally occurring sticky black or brown tar-like substance that oozes out of Himalayan caves. It has been used for thousands of years as a folk medicine in India, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Nepal. Its use is even mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts, which refer to it as a powerful remedy.
Its fans claim that it can increase your energy, improve your cognitive function, and enhance your libido. However, when prepared incorrectly, the presence of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and even arsenic can lead to heavy metal poisoning and damage to your kidneys and other organs.
Dr Masarat Jilani, resident Doctor at Bladder Care Company Jude said: “The danger with Shilajit is the unregulated levels of heavy metals such as arsenic and lead. If the product you are using has not been properly purified, you may be consuming far more of these than is safe.”
“Your kidneys are particularly vulnerable to heavy metal toxicity as it’s their job to filter these toxins out of your blood. Over time, the accumulation of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium can cause damage to the renal cells, impairing kidney function and potentially leading to chronic kidney disease.”
“Before adding this supplement to your diet, you should seek medical advice, especially if you have any pre-existing kidney conditions and ensure that the supplement does not contain any toxic metals or impurities.”
“One of the most concerning aspects of Shilajit becoming a trend is the fact that it is being marketed as a postpartum nutritional supplement under the hashtag #postpartumnutrition. Heavy metals such as lead can be passed from mother to baby via breast milk, and infants are particularly at risk of heavy metal toxicity. If you are breastfeeding, you should not be consuming Shilajit without medical advice from your doctor as it could put your infant at risk.”
