Shilajit

“Shilajit is composed mainly of humic substances, including fulvic acid, that account for around 60% to 80% … Studies indicate the shilajit consumption without preliminary purification may lead to risks of intoxication given the presence of mycotoxin, heavy metal ions, polymeric quinones (oxidant agents), and free radicals, among others. Therefore, a purified, ready-for-use preparation for human consumption must be used. However, recent studies indicate that several ayurvedic products including shilajit and other Indian manufactured products commercialized by the Internet may contain detectable heavy metals levels as lead, mercury, and arsenic”

“This phyto-mineral diffusion possesses around 65 heavy metals including the toxic heavy metals like Cu, Al, Pb, As, Cd, and Hg … 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”

“One-fifth of both US-manufactured and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines purchased via the Internet contain detectable lead, mercury, or arsenic … All metal-containing products exceeded 1 or more standards for acceptable daily intake of toxic metals”

“Thallium contents were found up to 0.5 µg.g-1 in the supplements studied … the concentration of thallium in some supplements was higher than in crude Shilajit, raising concerns about the potential health risks associated with long-term consumption”

“its chemical composition is not known with certainty … no comprehensive chemical analysis has ever been performed … more than 80% of weight of Shilajit is mainly composed of humic substances”

“relatively few well-controlled human studies have been conducted on the effects of shiliajit … Additional well-controlled human and animal studies involving the use of standardized products are needed”

“shilajit unfortunately lacks scientific evaluation and systematic documentation … the bioactivity of shilajit lacks substantial evidence”

“8 weeks of Shilajit supplementation at 250 mg·d-1 (low dose) and 500 mg·d-1 (high dose) versus placebo … Sixty-three recreationally-active men … For the upper 50th percentile group, the post-supplementation adjusted mean percent decline in MVIC was significantly less for the high dose group (8.9 ± 2.3%) than the low dose (17.0 ± 2.4%) and placebo (16.0 ± 2.4%) groups … PrimaVie® Shilajit is a purified and standardized form of Shilajit, which is composed of ≥50.0% fulvic acid … There were no reported adverse events during the course of this study”

“healthy volunteers of age between 45 and 55 years … randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study at a dose of 250 mg twice a day. Treatment with Shilajit for consecutive 90 days revealed that it has significantly (P < 0.05) increased total testosterone, free testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS) compared with placebo”

“Some Ayurvedic preparations may contain lead, mercury, or arsenic in amounts that can be toxic … If you're pregnant or nursing, be sure to consult your (or your child's) health care provider as some Ayurvedic products may contain products that could be harmful”

“Toxic heavy metal limits — Your product must not exceed the following: Arsenic 5 parts per million (ppm); Cadmium 0.3ppm; Lead 10ppm; Mercury 0.5ppm”

“The objective of this guideline is to highlight the substances of concern when used in HS and TM and is not meant to be an exhaustive list [shilajit / mumie / fulvic acid not listed in Annex A or B]”

“open-label, single-arm pilot clinical study conducted over 28 days in 25 healthy male participants … 500 mg/day … (250 mg twice daily), dissolved in approximately 200 mL of warm water and taken with meals. The Shilajit resin used in this study was manufactured in a good manufacturing practice (GMP) facility using solvent-free aqueous extraction, standardized to ≥60% fulvic acids … No serious adverse events were reported”

“Nutricost, Shilajit, 120 Capsules … Jarrow Formulas, Vegan Shilajit, 250 mg, 60 Veggie Capsules … Youtheory, Men®, Shilajit, 60 Veg Caps (250 mg per Capsule)”