Shilajit
Shilajit (Purified Mineral Pitch)
Ancient Ayurvedic substance containing fulvic acid and minerals, used for energy, testosterone, and vitality.
Shilajit is a tar-like substance found in Himalayan rocks, formed over centuries from decomposed plant material. It contains fulvic acid, humic acid, and over 80 minerals. Used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years as a rejuvenator, modern research shows benefits for testosterone, energy, and mitochondrial function.
Mechanisms of Action
Mitochondrial Support
Supports cellular energy production
Testosterone Support
May support natural testosterone production
Mineral Delivery
Enhances mineral absorption
Recommended Dose
300-500mg purified extract
Optimal Timing
- Morning
- With or without food
Can be taken without food
Best Form
Purified resin or PrimaVie extract
Alternatives: Capsules, Powder
Quality is critical — many products are contaminated or adulterated. PrimaVie is a well-studied, purified form.
Duration
Minimum: 4 weeks
Optimal: 12 weeks
Cycling: 8-12 weeks on, 4 weeks off is common.
Note: Can be taken any time but morning is traditional. Can be dissolved in warm water or milk.
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Increased Energy
More vitality and less fatigue
Testosterone Boost
Increased testosterone levels
Cognitive Clarity
Improved mental clarity
Avoid — insufficient safety data
Who Should NOT Take This
- Hemochromatosis (high iron)
- Gout (may affect uric acid)
Drug Interactions
May increase iron absorption
May affect blood sugar
Possible Side Effects
Tip: Normal; reduce dose if uncomfortable
Tip: Take with food
Warnings
- Quality varies enormously — many products are contaminated with heavy metals
- Only use purified, lab-tested products
- Raw/unpurified shilajit may contain toxins
Top studies from 20+ peer-reviewed papers
Stohs SJ • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2014)
“Additional well-controlled human and animal studies involving the use of standardized products are needed.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
Key Findings:
- Furthermore, animal and human data support its use as a 'revitalizer', enhancing physical performance and relieving fatigue with enhanced production of ATP.
- Key constituents in shilajit responsible for these effects appear to be dibenzo-α-pyrones and fulvic acid and their derivatives.
- Various mechanistic studies provide support for the above observed effects.
- Additional well-controlled human and animal studies involving the use of standardized products are needed.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Agarwal SP et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2007)
“Shilajit has been attributed with many miraculous healing properties.Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
Key Findings:
- It has been found to consist of a complex mixture of organic humic substances and plant and microbial metabolites occurring in the rock rhizospheres of its natural habitat.
- Shilajit has been used as a rejuvenator and an adaptogen for thousands of years, in one form or another, as part of traditional systems of medicine in a number of countries.
- Many therapeutic properties have been ascribed to it, a number of which have been verified by modern scientific evaluation.
- Shilajit has been attributed with many miraculous healing properties.Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Martinez V et al. • Nutrients (2025)
“Registered clinical trial #NCT06641596.”
Key Findings:
- Methods: In total, 166 sedentary men and women with at least two markers of metabolic syndrome participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, and repeated-measure intervention study, of which 109 completed the study (48.6 ± 10 yrs., 34.2 ± 6 kg/m2, 41.3 ± 7% fat).
- Data were obtained at 0, 6, and 12 weeks of supplementation, and analyzed using general linear model multivariate and univariate analyses with repeated measures, pairwise comparisons, and mean changes from the baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
- Differences among groups were more consistently seen at 6 weeks rather than 12 weeks.
- While some benefits were seen at both dosages, greater benefits were more consistently observed with PE-1000 and Cr-800 ingestion.
Morgado A et al. • International journal of impotence research (2024)
“The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.”
Key Findings:
- Testosterone boosters are heavily marketed on social media and marketplaces to men with claims to significantly increase testosterone.
- Our findings indicate that most fail to increase total testosterone.
- The exceptions were β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate and betaine, which can be considered effective for male athletes.
- The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.
Hussain A et al. • Biological trace element research (2024)
“The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.”
Key Findings:
- The levels of reported metals in Shilajit were found to be lower than the permissible limits set by WHO and FDA, except in few studies where exceeded levels were reported.
- Shilajit consumption without knowing permissible levels of metals is not safe and could pose serious health problems.
- Although the humic substances and few metals in Shilajit are beneficial in terms of chelating toxic heavy metals, the data on metal detoxification still needs to be clarified.© 2024.
- The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Study Type Distribution
Goals This Supplement Supports
Related Goals
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement.