Natural Compound

Shilajit

Shilajit (mineral pitch/asphaltum)

Evidence TierCWADA NOT PROHIBITED

tuneTypical Dose

300–500 mg

watchEffect Window

8–12 weeks (90 days) for hormonal shifts.

check_circleCompliance

WADA NOT PROHIBITED

Overview

Clinical Summary

Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin containing fulvic acids used in traditional medicine. It is used for fatigue and vitality goals and for male reproductive biomarkers, with benefit dependent on purification and testing.

Small trials suggest improved fatigue measures, antioxidant status, and modest increases in testosterone in some men. Some studies report improved sperm parameters, plausibly through antioxidant and mitochondrial effects. Minority evidence explores cognitive function and altitude adaptation outcomes with limited data. Contamination risk is a major confounder, so verified purity and standardization are central to any net benefit.

Fulvic acid acts as a carrier molecule, facilitating nutrient transport (especially CoQ10) into mitochondria and enhancing ATP production. Stimulates the HPT axis, increasing LH and subsequently testosterone synthesis.

Outcomes

What This Is Expected To Influence

Primary Outcomes

  • Moderate increases in total testosterone, free testosterone, and DHEAs in aging men (one RCT, 90 days)
  • Enhanced mitochondrial ATP production via fulvic acid nutrient transport

Secondary Outcomes

  • Improved sperm quality and motility
  • Mild reductions in subjective fatigue

Safety

Contraindications and Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation
  • Hemochromatosis (high iron burden)
  • Kidney stones (contains oxalates)

Side effects

  • GI upset
  • Metallic taste
  • Headache

Interactions

  • Antihypertensives (may potentiate)
  • Anticoagulants (may potentiate)
  • Blood-glucose-lowering drugs (additive hypoglycemia risk)
  • Blood-glucose-lowering supplements (additive hypoglycemia risk)
  • Iron supplements (increases iron absorption)

Avoid if

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Iron overload conditions
  • No access to purified/third-party-tested product

Evidence

Study-level References

shilajit-SRC-001RCT (Double-blind, placebo-controlled)
Sourceopen_in_new

Pandit S, et al. "Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers." Andrologia. 2016.

Population: Healthy men between 45 and 55 years old

Key findings: Treatment with Shilajit for 90 consecutive days revealed that it significantly increased total testosterone, free testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS) compared with placebo.

Paper content

Treatment with Shilajit for 90 consecutive days revealed that it significantly increased total testosterone, free testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS) compared with placebo.

shilajit-SRC-002Randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Sourceopen_in_new

Neltner TJ, Sahoo PK, Smith RW, et al. Effects of 8 Weeks of Shilajit Supplementation on Serum Pro-c1alpha1, a Biomarker of Type 1 Collagen Synthesis: A Randomized Control Trial. J Diet Suppl. 2024;21(1):1-12. doi:10.1080/19390211.2022.2157522. PMID:36546868.

Population: Recreationally trained men.

Dose protocol: Shilajit 500 mg/day or 1000 mg/day versus placebo for 8 weeks

Key findings: Both shilajit doses significantly increased serum Pro-c1alpha1, a biomarker of type 1 collagen synthesis, with a dose-response trend.

Notes: Novel collagen synthesis endpoint. Small sample of young trained men.

Paper content

This RCT tested shilajit at two doses (500 mg/day and 1000 mg/day) versus placebo for 8 weeks in recreationally trained men. The primary endpoint was serum Pro-c1alpha1, a biomarker of type 1 collagen synthesis. Both shilajit groups showed significant increases in Pro-c1alpha1 compared to placebo, with the high-dose group showing a stronger response. This study provides a novel endpoint for shilajit research, linking supplementation to collagen turnover rather than the usual testosterone or fatigue outcomes. The small sample size and young, healthy male population limit generalizability.

shilajit-SRC-003Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Sourceopen_in_new

Martinez V, McAngus K, Dickerson BL, et al. Effects of 12 Weeks of Chromium, Phyllanthus emblica Fruit Extract, and Shilajit Supplementation on Markers of Cardiometabolic Health. Nutrients. 2025;17(12):2042. doi:10.3390/nu17122042. PMID:40573153.

Population: Overweight adults with metabolic syndrome risk factors.

Dose protocol: Multi-ingredient combination including shilajit for 12 weeks alongside exercise and diet intervention

Key findings: Improved vascular markers including pulse wave velocity and flow-mediated dilation in overweight adults with metabolic risk factors.

Notes: Multi-ingredient design prevents isolating shilajit-specific effects.

Paper content

This RCT tested combinations of chromium, Phyllanthus emblica, and shilajit alongside a diet and exercise intervention in 109 overweight adults with metabolic syndrome risk factors. Supplementation groups showed improved vascular markers including pulse wave velocity and flow-mediated dilation, with effects more pronounced at 6 weeks than 12 weeks. Because this was a multi-ingredient design, the contribution of shilajit alone cannot be isolated. The study is relevant to the broader picture of shilajit in metabolic health contexts but does not establish independent shilajit efficacy.

Guides

Setup

Help