A DOCTOR has cautioned new moms about a supplement that is trending on TikTok but can pose a danger to babies.
The popular product might be getting a lot of attention, but she is warning about the risks associated with the buy when breastfeeding.
SUPPLEMENTAL RISKS
While influencers are praising the product, Dr Masarat Jilani, a resident doctor at Jude, a bladder care company, explained some of the side effects that can occur when consuming Shilajit.
She is especially concerned about a TikTok trend where Shilajit is being marketed as a postpartum nutritional supplement under the hashtag “postpartum nutrition.”
“The danger with Shilajit is the unregulated levels of heavy metals such as arsenic and lead,” she said.
“If the product you are using has not been properly purified, you may be consuming far more of these than is safe,” she added.
She shared how the supplement can be especially bad for baby.
“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,” she said.
“If you are breastfeeding, you should not be consuming Shilajit without medical advice from your doctor as it could put your infant at risk,” she added.
She explained how your kidneys can also face damage from the supplement as they are responsible for filtering these toxins out of your blood.
The accumulation of these metals, especially lead and cadmium, can cause damage to the renal cells. This impairs kidney function and can even lead to chronic kidney disease.
Those with any pre-existing kidney conditions should consult with their doctor to ensure that the supplement does not contain any toxic metals or impurities.
WHAT IS SHILAJIT
Shilajit is a naturally occurring substance similar to tar, that is known to come out of the Himalayan caves.
It’s also nothing new – Shilajit has been used as a common folk medicine for thousands of years in India, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Nepal.
Sanskrit texts even reference it as a “powerful remedy.”
It might be known to increase energy, as well as cognitive function, and even enhance your libido, but when prepared incorrectly, it can release high levels of toxic substances.
This includes lead, mercury, and even arsenic, which can lead to heavy metal poisoning and damage to your kidneys and other organs.
TRENDING ON TIKTOK
One woman, whose video has garnered almost half a million likes on TikTok, says she loves how the supplement replenished the minerals she lost during her pregnancy.
Another new mom whose video went viral shared how she swears by the supplement she adds to her tea to help restore nutrients to her body that is still healing after having a baby.
She also uses it to help with her breastfeeding.
The product is readily available, including on Amazon, with buys including Vita Guard’s Organic Himalayan Shilajit, for $22.99.
