Fulvic Trace Minerals

September 7, 2023

What are Fulvic Trace Minerals?

Fulvic trace minerals, often referred to as fulvic minerals or fulvic acid minerals, are a complex mixture of organic compounds that occur naturally in soil, rocks, and the earth's crust. These minerals are formed through the decomposition of organic plant matter over centuries, and they are known for their unique properties and possible health benefits. Some key characteristics and uses of fulvic trace minerals are given below:

Composition: Fulvic minerals are primarily composed of fulvic acid, which is a type of humic acid. Humic substances are large organic molecules that result from the decomposition of plant and microbial matter in soil. Fulvic acid is the smallest and most bioactive component of humic substances.
Color and Taste: Fulvic trace minerals are typically dark in color, ranging from brown to black, and they often have a bitter taste due to their organic nature.
Mineral Content: These minerals are rich in various trace minerals, including but not limited to iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, calcium, and selenium. They can also contain other organic compounds such as amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Solubility: Fulvic acid is highly soluble in water, and this solubility is one of its defining characteristics. It can bind to minerals and make them more accessible to plants, animals, and humans.
Health Benefits: Fulvic trace minerals have gained attention in the health and wellness community for their potential benefits. Some proponents claim that these minerals may improve nutrient absorption, support the immune system, enhance detoxification, and provide antioxidant effects. However, it's important to note that more research is needed to establish these potential benefits conclusively.
Supplements: Fulvic trace mineral supplements are available in various forms, including liquid solutions and capsules. People often take them as dietary supplements in an attempt to enhance their mineral intake and promote overall health.
Soil Health: Fulvic acid plays a critical role in soil health. It can improve soil structure, nutrient availability to plants, and water retention in the soil. As a result, it is used in agriculture to enhance crop growth and yield. While fulvic trace minerals have many health benefits and play a vital role in soil ecology, the scientific understanding of their precise mechanisms and effects on human health is still evolving.

Your body needs many minerals; these are called essential minerals. Essential minerals are sometimes divided up into major minerals (macro-minerals) and trace minerals (micro-minerals). These two groups of minerals are equally important. Trace minerals are needed in smaller amounts than macro minerals. The amounts needed in the body are not an indication of their importance. A balanced diet usually provides all of the essential minerals.

Fulvic acids have been primarily used as products supporting the growth of plants and maintaining soil moisture. Fulvic acid is a natural chemical formed when plants and animals break down. It is found in the humus (organic matter) part of soil and peat, and is also found in streams, lakes, and rivers.

Fulvic Minerals are trace minerals, that ‘are not so easily available’, or minerals not commonly found in most foods. Fulvic and Humic minerals are found in soil and therefore, some plants may contain a high amount. Vegetables rich in fulvic acid are: Beetroot, Carrots, Parsnips, and Radishes; as also in Seaweeds and Kelp in natural lakes and rivers.

Pure Himalayan Shilajit (PHS) or Shilajit, a Himalayan herb, contains a high amounts of trace minerals including fulvic and humic acids, iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, nickel, potassium, manganese, silicon, silver, sodium, sulphur, iodine, and more.

Having said that, in this blog we are focussing on Fulvic trace minerals available through Pure Himalayan Shilajit.

The role of fulvic trace minerals in Pure Himalayan Shilajit.

Mineral Content: Fulvic trace minerals are abundant in Himalayan Shilajit. These minerals include essential trace elements like iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and others. These minerals are naturally chelated with fulvic acid, which means they are bound to the fulvic acid molecules, potentially making them more bioavailable for the body.
Nutrient Transport: Fulvic acid, as found in Himalayan Shilajit, is known for its ability to enhance the absorption and transport of nutrients. It can chelate, or bind to, minerals and other compounds, making them more soluble in water. This property is believed to help the body absorb and utilize minerals and other nutrients more efficiently.
Detoxification: Some proponents suggest that fulvic acid in Shilajit may assist in detoxification processes within the body. It is thought to bind to toxins and heavy metals, helping to eliminate them from the body. However, more research is needed to substantiate these claims.
Energy and Vitality: Shilajit has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine as a natural energy booster and tonic. The fulvic trace minerals in Shilajit may contribute to these perceived benefits by aiding in the body's energy production processes and overall vitality.
Antioxidant Properties: Fulvic acid, along with other compounds in Shilajit, may possess antioxidant properties, which can help combat oxidative stress and free radical damage in the body. Antioxidants are essential for maintaining overall health and preventing cellular damage.
Adaptogenic Qualities: Shilajit is often classified as an adaptogen, meaning it may help the body adapt to stress and maintain balance. Fulvic acid's potential role in nutrient absorption and energy production may contribute to these adaptogenic effects.

It's important to note that while Himalayan Shilajit has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems and some promising preliminary research, more scientific studies are needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and potential health benefits. Furthermore, the quality and authenticity of Shilajit products can vary, so it's essential to source Shilajit from reputable suppliers to ensure purity and potency.

Fulvic versus Humic acids

Fulvic acids are organic materials that are soluble in water at all pH levels. Humic acids are materials that are insoluble at acidic pH values (pH < 2) but are soluble at higher pH values.

Calcium and magnesium are not trace minerals, therefore consumers cannot expect to replace their calcium and magnesium intake by using fulvic Minerals. Other plants offer us a bounty of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for our bodies.

Macro and micro trace minerals are scientifically well established as vital to many different functions and processes in our bodies. Fulvic and humic acids have more recently, been discovered to enhance bioavailability of nutrients.

PHS Increases the Absorption of Nutrients

What does modern scientific research say about Shilajit?

Scientific research has identified macro and micro minerals and trace elements. Shilajit found high up in the mountains and caves (plant rot) also contains fulvic acids and potent antioxidant properties. These elements validate the health supporting characteristics long ascribed by Ayurvedic medicine.

A balanced diet allows you to obtain the proper amount of electrolytes and other minerals vital for digestive health, nutrient absorption and metabolic functions. Having said that, a healthy life is more than just food; you need to get the right nutrients.

There are certain health vitamins and minerals that we can only receive from plants, which contain non-carbon-based minerals from the soil. Because plants receive their nutrition from the ground, humans may fully assimilate nutrition only from plants. “If you consume a total of 5-10 plants in your diet, your nutritional intake from these plants will be limited to minerals and biologically active substances from those 5-10 plants. If you consume high-quality, genuine shilajit, you are consuming minerals, biologically active substances and meta-bolites from hundreds of plants. Therefore, the health benefits will be greater” (1).

Fulvic Acid in Pure Himalayan Shilajit

Shilajit collected from different areas does in fact exhibit differing chemical characteristics and bioactivities, however, the core composition includes low molecular weight chemical markers, aucuparins, di-benzoic alpha pyrones and triterpenic acids (Ghosal, 1990)

PHS has the ability to boost testosterone levels in the body, making it an ideal supplement for those of you who would like to step up your workout sessions. Testosterone is a hormone that plays a crucial role in muscle development, bone density, and overall physical health in both men and women.

According to Ayurveda systems and medicine, PHS is said to have the unique ability to bring the essence of any tissue system (dhatu). For example, the essence of muscle (mamsa) is to give shape, the essence of blood (rakta) is to bring life, and the essence of the marrow/nervous system (maja) is to bestow knowledge.

PHS’s efficacy as an energy booster in Ayurveda can be attributed to its high fulvic acid content, which is known to contain approximately 45% oxygen. During workouts, there is increased breathlessness and muscle soreness. However, the high oxygen content in fulvic acid may help alleviate these side effects of exercise. Research suggests that regular intake of fulvic acid can lead to a reduction in muscle soreness and an improvement in endurance (Zarafshan Shiraz, 2023).

The Charaka Samhita (5000-year-old Ayurvedic text) addresses Shilajit in a chapter on rejuvenation therapy (Rasayana). It claims that PHS is effective for all Doshic ( body types- doshas-Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) imbalances when used at the right time and taken regularly. For an already healthy person, consuming PHS results in strength, stamina and energy due to its adaptogenic effects. PHS has been used as a catalyst or harmoniser by Ayurvedic practitioners to increase the actions of other herbs. Since thousands of years, Ayurveda has been using Shilajit, due to its absorption ability.

Many health issues can be traced to mineral or nutrient deficiencies. Intensive chemical farming (through pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, etc) and irrigation can strip off natural minerals and beneficial microbes from agricultural land and the plants that grow on it.

The curative properties attributable to shilajit are provided by the significant levels of fulvic acids that shilajit contains, as fulvic acid is known by its strong antioxidant actions.

Fulvic acid has the property to help dissolve minerals, so they penetrate better in the inner walls of your body. This helps in cells regrowth. Since PHS contains both minerals and fulvic acid, it helps in controlling cellular damage caused due to free radicals and unstable molecules. Shilajit helps strengthen your immune system, protecting you from infections and diseases.

PHS repairs Collagen, improves longevity, immunity, fights wrinkles and dark spots on your skin. Shilajit supports collagen production, which is essential for repairing bones and tendons and reducing swelling and pain. Collagen breakdown can be caused by factors such as smoking, ageing, excess sun exposure, anxiety, and stress. Consuming Shilajit before exercise can be a great addition to your workout routine as it has many benefits for recovery, strength, mental focus, energy, and stress reduction.

Recent studies on the composition of Andean Shilajit in Chile have evidenced an ORAC index between 50 and 500 Trolox units/g of material, which is substantially higher than Noni and blueberries (Quinteros et al., unpublished data). In this context, shilajit seems to be a powerful antioxidant phyto-complex (2).

As mentioned earlier, you only need small amounts of trace minerals. They include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride and selenium. Shilajit is rich in fulvic Acid, Vitamins, and Trace Minerals | Natural Herbal Supplement | its Natural Super Food Properties can (3):

boost immunity,
enhance mental clarity,
provide healthy aging or pro-aging benefits,
be a better nutrient absorption,
relieve anxiety,
fight radicals,
help ward off Alzheimer's disease,
support cardio health,and
replace minerals and vitamins.

Recent investigations point to an interesting medical application towards the control of cognitive disorders associated with aging, and cognitive stimulation.

Thus, fulvic acid, the main active principle, blocks of self-aggregation, opens an avenue towards the study of Alzheimer's therapy (to a large extent the role of Shilajit & fulvic trace minerals has already been proven in Scandanavia and the US, Institutes of Alzheimer’s). In essence, fulvic acid is a nutraceutical product of demonstrated benefits for human health.

Shilajit Resin includes, Benzoic acid, hippuric acid, fulvic acid; minerals: silica, iron, antimony, calcium, copper, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, sodium, strontium, zinc (Pole, 2006)(4). The primary active ingredients in shilajit are fulvic acids, di-benzoic alpha pyrones, humins, humic acids and trace minerals. Chemical analysis has shown that about 80% of the humic components are present in shilajit.

While there are other similar substances containing fulvic and humic acids, shilajit is differentiated in that it contains oxygenated di-benzoic alpha pyrones(5).

Considering the expected impact of shilajit usage in the medical field, especially in neurological sciences, more investigations at the basic biological level as well as clinical trials are necessary. In order to understand how organic molecules of shilajit and particularly fulvic acid, one of the active principles, and oligoelements act at both the molecular and cellular levels, as well as in the whole organism.

In conclusion, Fulvic trace minerals emerge as invaluable contributors to our overall well-being. Found in nature's bounty and recognized for their unique properties, these minerals play a multifaceted role in supporting our bodies. They enhance the absorption and transportation of essential nutrients, potentially aid in detoxification processes, and offer antioxidant protection against oxidative stress.

As essential components of substances like Himalayan Shilajit and other natural sources, fulvic trace minerals are a testament to the intricate relationship between the earth and our health. While the understanding of their precise mechanisms continues to evolve, their potential benefits are undeniable.

In an era where holistic health and wellness are paramount, fulvic trace minerals stand as a reminder of the profound connection between the earth's offerings and our vitality. As we delve deeper into the world of natural remedies and nutritional support, the significance of these minerals becomes ever clearer. Ultimately, they underscore the importance of respecting and harnessing the riches of our planet to nurture our bodies and ensure a flourishing future.

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