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| - Last Updated on June 30, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
A social media post claims that American rapper Takeoff was silenced for revealing the health benefits of Shilajit. There is no evidence to support this or that Shilajit can cure hundreds of diseases. We did the fact check to term it as False.
The Claim
A Facebook post suggests that Kirsnick Khari Ball, known professionally as Takeoff, was found dead shortly after speaking about Shilajit, on a podcast. It is a natural superfood, according to the post. The claim indicates that Takeoff was silenced to prevent the truth about Shilajit’s health benefits from coming out. The assertion is that Shilajit is a potent natural substance capable of curing hundreds of diseases, and its benefits are being suppressed for profit motives.
Fact Check
What is the background of Takeoff’s death?
Takeoff, a member of the rap group Migos, was tragically killed on November 1, 2022, in Houston, Texas. It has been reported as a shooting incident. There is no credible information or evidence linking his death to any statements made about health products or natural remedies. The investigation into his death pointed towards it being a result of gun violence, unrelated to any medical or health discussions
Did Takeoff’s comments on Shilajit lead to his death?
No, there is no evidence to support the claim that Takeoff’s comments on Shilajit led to his death. His death was related to gun violence, not his discussion of health products.
What is Shilajit?
Shilajit is a substance primarily present in the rocks of the Himalayas. It develops over centuries from the slow decomposition of plants. People commonly use Shilajit in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional Indian system of healing. Shilajit contains fulvic acid and more than 84 minerals. It offers various health benefits such as enhanced energy levels, improved cognitive function, and better immunity. However, these benefits are generally modest and supported by limited scientific evidence.
Can Shilajit cure hundreds of diseases?
Not really. Well, it has some health benefits, but being able to cure hundreds of diseases is an overstatement. We know, Shilajit is good for health, such as improving energy levels and cognitive function. However, researchers are still studying these effects, and they need more extensive clinical trials to approve Shilajit for therapeutic use. And, these benefits are not as extensive as suggested in the Facebook post. Claims that Shilajit can cure ‘hundreds’ of diseases are far beyond available scientific evidence. These assertions lack substantial and strong research on humans or in real-world settings. Another fake post claims that Elon Musk endorsed shilajit to be an anti-aging and hair loss remedy, and the most powerful source of energy for our body ” which is a false statement.
Dr Ubaid ur Rahman, a General Physician, Holy Mission Clinic, New Delhi, says, “Well, Shilajit offers some health benefits, but it is not a clinically proven cure for hundreds of diseases. You may use it to complement, not replace, conventional medical treatments.”
What is the available scientific evidence on Shilajit?
Even though Shilajit has traditional applications considering its potential advantages, we should know what the available scientific evidence says. Here’s what some studies suggest about Shilajit’s health benefits:
- Energy and Fatigue: Preliminary research indicates that Shilajit can help enhance physical performance. A 2012 study on rats indicates it can reduce fatigue by increasing mitochondrial function.
- Brain Function: There is little evidence suggesting that Shilajit can improve cognitive function, potentially helpful for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
- Improves Testosterone: A 2015 study shows that Shilajit has the potential to increase testosterone levels.
- Slows Down Ageing: Fulvic acid provides antioxidant, anti-ageing, and skin health benefits, with clinical studies supporting its ability to enhance skin conditions and prevent collagen degradation.
- Lowers Altitude Sickness: A 2010 study discusses in detail about its potential to treat altitude sickness.
- Helps in Anaemia: An animal study shows that Shilajit can help manage iron deficiency anaemia. It significantly increases haemoglobin, red blood cells, and packed cell volume.
- Improves Male Fertility: A 2010 study indicates Shilajit can enhance total sperm count and sperm motility.
- Good for Heart Health: A 2014 study found that pre-treating rats with Shilajit showed cardioprotective effects. It did so by maintaining cardiac function and reducing the severity of cardiac damage in those with induced myocardial injury.
- Better Bone Health: Shilajit supplementation helps support bone health in postmenopausal women. It reduces bone loss, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
However, these studies are often small in scale, or on animals, or lack wide-scale replication. Hence, you should practice caution before trusting these natural home remedies. For instance, people with active heart disease should not take Shilajit. Extensive and large scale clinical trials on humans and peer-reviewed research are necessary to make definitive claims about Shilajit’s efficacy and safety. It shows significant potential for health and well-being. But, it can not cure hundreds of diseases as claimed.
Did the podcast say anything about Shilajit?
No, there is no verifiable record or widely known podcast where Takeoff discussed Shilajit in detail, leading to his alleged “silencing.” This part of the claim seems to be fake or an overstatement without substantial proof. Podcasts and public appearances by Takeoff do not indicate any significant engagement with health-related topics, especially those involving Shilajit.
Why do conspiracy theorists exploit the death of celebrities?
The narrative of a public figure being silenced to hide the truth about a health product is a common thing in conspiracy theories. These stories usually lack credible evidence and often exploit the tragic deaths of celebrities to propagate fear and misinformation. The aim is usually to attract attention and create sensationalism rather than present factual information.
Is the health industry suppressing natural remedies for profit?
The idea that “they don’t want you to be healthy so they can profit out of you” aligns with many conspiracy theories. These theories suggest that governments, corporations, or other entities suppress natural remedies to benefit from pharmaceutical sales. Although it is true that the health industry is profit-driven, the suppression of natural remedies like Shilajit for profit lacks substantial evidence. Regulatory bodies do evaluate natural products, but these evaluations generally ensure safety and efficacy rather than suppression.
Conclusion
The claim that Takeoff was silenced for discussing Shilajit is baseless and false. His death is a tragic event linked to gun violence. It is not a conspiracy to suppress information about a natural health product. Shilajit does have health benefits supported by traditional use and some scientific research. But, claims about its ability to cure hundreds of diseases are exaggerated. These assertions lack comprehensive scientific validation. It’s essential to approach such health claims critically and rely on verified scientific research and trustworthy expert guidance.
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