Are you looking for natural ways to boost physical health and enhance workout performance? Gokshura vs Shilajit are two widely used herbs with potential benefits, but which one should you use, and can they be combined? This article will compare Gokshura and Shilajit, helping you make the most suitable choice.
What Is Shilajit?
Shilajit is a complex mixture of organic humic substances, plant metabolites, and microorganisms, ranging in color from pale brown to dark brown, exuding from layers of rock in mountain ranges across many areas, most notably the Himalayas and Hindukush in India [1].
Shilajit is used as a rejuvenating nutrient and a miraculous healing substance in both traditional and modern medicine.
What Are the Benefits Of Shilajit for Human Health?
Shilajit is widely used due to its superior effectiveness. Below is a list of notable benefits it brings to human health.
May Improve Cognitive Function
Shilajit contains fulvic acid, which effectively prevents the accumulation of tau into pathological filaments, potentially preventing diseases related to neural cognition like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's [2].
Additionally, this component significantly contributes to antioxidant functions, extending the lifespan of human neural cells.
May Boost Testosterone Levels
In a study conducted on healthy volunteers with a daily dose of 500mg (divided into two doses), results showed a significant increase in testosterone levels after more than 3 months of use.
Shilajit also contains the bioactive component dibenzo-alpha-pyrone (DBP), which is capable of increasing spermatogenic activity and the quantity of sperm in men [3].
Improve Exercise Performance
Shilajit is likened to "a substance of regeneration," enhancing physical performance and reducing fatigue by boosting ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production through nutrients such as dibenzo-α-pyrones and fulvic acid and their derivatives [5].
May Help Treat Altitude Sickness
Shilajit contains compost, organic plant material, and fulvic acid, actively participating in transporting nutrients into deep tissues and addressing chronic fatigue and lethargy.
Shilajit also addresses high-altitude stress issues such as oxygen deficiency, acute mountain sickness, cerebral edema due to high altitude, insomnia, loss of appetite, and body aches, and stimulates the immune system [6].
May Aid In Weight Loss
Shilajit enhances strength, improves the body's response to exercise, accelerates strength and endurance, and effectively improves weight loss [7]. This effect can be achieved with regular exercise and a healthy diet.
What Is Gokshura?
Gokshura (Tribulus Terrestris) is an herb widely used in India's Ayurvedic medicinal system. It is a vine plant with dense leaves commonly found in warm climates in South Asia, Southern Europe, Africa, and Australia.
Gokshura has been proven to be effective against urinary stones, antiparasitic, antibacterial, diabetes... [8]
What Are the Benefits of Gokshura for Human Health?
Similarly to Shilajit, Gokshura also offers many values for human health, with a few notable benefits including:
Antioxidant Properties
Gokshura has been evaluated to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in a comprehensive study on the benefits of this herb for human health [8].
Also, its antioxidant properties contribute to extending lifespan, fighting tumors, and limiting chronic diseases in the elderly.
Libido Booster
Enhancing sexual health is one of the main benefits of Gokshura. It enhances male reproductive health by increasing testosterone levels, thus improving sexual desire and overall sexual performance.
Blood Sugar Regulation
Gokshura regulates blood sugar levels, effectively preventing hyperglycemia and diabetes [9].
This, in turn, prevents diseases related to blood pressure and the circulatory system, strengthens the heart's overall health, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Women's Health Benefits
Gokshura supports hormonal balance, regulating hormone levels in women by balancing estrogen production in the body.
Regular use of Gokshura in proper doses helps regulate menstruation and limit symptoms related to pre-menopause in women.
Additionally, Gokshura is researched to be a compound rich in protein and calcium, helping build a robust skeletal system.
Also, its high nutrient composition indicates its potential for the health of pregnant women when mixed with milk and used [10].
Other Potential Benefits
In addition, Gokshura possesses other significant effects for human health, such as anti-urinary stones, antibacterial, antiparasitic, immune system regulation, blood lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, spasm limiting, pain reduction, liver protection, and anti-tumor [8].
The Comparison of Gokshura vs Shilajit
Gokshura and Shilajit both offer numerous health benefits, and the comparison chart below will help you discern the differences between them:
|
Criteria |
Gokshura |
Shilajit |
|
The Origin |
South Asia, Southern Europe, Africa, and Australia |
Himalayas and other mountain regions. |
|
Key Benefits |
Antioxidant properties, libido booster blood sugar regulation, women's health benefits |
improve cognitive function, boost testosterone levels, improve exercise performance, help treat altitude sickness, aid in weight loss |
|
Primary Users |
Men and women with reproductive health issues, urinary tract health |
Adults looking to improve overall health and performance |
|
Scientific Studies |
Still limited |
Still limited |
|
The Active Compounds |
Protodioscin, steroidal saponins |
Fulvic acid, humic acid, dibenzo-alpha-pyrones |
|
Side Effects |
Headache, stomach pain, increased body temperature |
Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, kidney stones |
|
Forms |
Capsule and powder |
Powder, capsule, solution, or resin |
|
Dosage |
50-500 mg per day |
500 mg per day |
Gokshura Vs. Shilajit: What Should You Choose?
Gokshura and Shilajit are both herbs with a long history in traditional medicine, offering unique benefits.
Suppose you want to improve sexual function, increase testosterone levels, reduce inflammation, address urinary tract issues, and enhance athletic performance.
In that case, Gokshura might be the right choice due to its constituents, like protodioscin and steroidal saponins.
On the other hand, choose Shilajit if you want to enhance cognitive function, maintain healthy blood sugar levels within normal ranges, lose weight, improve exercise performance, and combat oxidative stress.
While both offer health benefits, they also have potential side effects and medication interactions. So, listen to your body's needs and consult a doctor for the most suitable consumption.
Can You Combine Shilajit and Gokshura Together?
Gokshura and Shilajit can be combined. There is no evidence to suggest that using these two compounds together is harmful, as they are both natural herbs free from harmful chemicals.
Combining Gokshura vs Shilajit can enhance reproductive health, increase testosterone levels, and improve athletic performance.
However, using both at high doses may lead to adverse effects and harmful drug interactions. Always seek expert advice and thoroughly research before consuming.
How to Use Shilajit and Gokshura in Your Routine
It's best to consult a doctor for dosage and usage to achieve effective outcomes when combining Gokshura and Shilajit, as each individual's condition and health needs differ.
Suppose your body is already accustomed to these compounds. In that case, you may use 250-500mg of Gokshura daily in capsule or powder form.
Additionally, you can take 500mg of Shilajit daily, divided into two doses in the morning and evening.
Remember, combining supplements with a proper diet and exercise regimen will lead to quicker and more prominent effects.
Conclusion
The information provided above details the benefits and important considerations of two natural nutrients, Gokshura vs Shilajit, including their benefits and advice on dosage, usage, and combination.
To ensure a safe and practical experience, listen to your body and consult a doctor's opinion.
