Shilajit
Also known as: mumijo, mineral pitch, shilajeet, ZhaXun, fulvic acid complex, PrimaVie, TruBlk
Effective Dosage
250–500 mg daily based on study doses
What the Science Says
Shilajit is a tar-like mineral resin that seeps from mountain rocks and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Early clinical trials suggest that 500 mg/day may help reduce fatigue-related muscle strength loss and support collagen production, with one small pilot study also reporting improvements in muscle endurance, grip strength, and aerobic capacity after 28 days. Most human evidence comes from small, short-duration studies, so results should be interpreted cautiously.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to treat or prevent cancer — all anti-cancer data is from lab cells and animals, not humans. Won't definitively build muscle on its own. No solid evidence it 'rejuvenates' the body in any measurable way. Liver protection claims are based on animal studies only. Dental or wound-healing benefits are unproven in humans.
Evidence-Based Benefits
At 500 mg/day over 8 weeks, shilajit (PrimaVie®) reduced fatigue-induced decline in maximal voluntary isometric contraction in the upper 50th percentile of recreationally active men and elevated serum hydroxyproline levels (PMID 30728074). An 8-week RCT found no significant increase in serum Pro-c1α1 collagen synthesis biomarker versus placebo (PMID 36546868). A 28-day open-label pilot (no control group) reported improvements in muscle strength, endurance, VO₂ max, fatigue scores, and CRP reduction, though the lack of a placebo arm severely limits interpretation (PMID 41613504). Preclinical data suggest hepatoprotective effects via NF-κB/AKT/Caspase-3 pathways (PMID 40957543) and in vitro wound-healing promotion in periodontal ligament cells (PMID 40057709), but these findings have not been confirmed in human trials.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 500 mg/day based on most consistent study doses
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no pharmacokinetic studies were provided. Fulvic acid, its key active compound, is thought to aid mineral absorption, but human bioavailability data is lacking.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Quality varies wildly between products — some commercial supplements contain elevated levels of chloride, fluoride, nitrate, and heavy metals depending on geographic source
- No abstract available for several indexed studies, limiting full assessment of the evidence
- The most positive clinical study (PMID 41613504) was an open-label pilot with no placebo control — results may be inflated by expectation bias
- High doses in lab studies caused cell toxicity; safe human dose range is not well established beyond 500 mg/day
- 687 registered supplement products exist despite very limited clinical trial data — widespread marketing outpaces the science
Products Containing Shilajit
See how Shilajit is used in these analyzed products:
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-04-06