Does Shilajit Really Boost Testosterone?

Shilajit is an herbo-mineral substance that has been used in traditional Indian medicine for centuries. Some proponents claim that shilajit can significantly increase testosterone levels in men. But is there any truth to this?

What is Shilajit?

Shilajit is a thick, blackish-brown substance that oozes from rock cracks in several mountain ranges across Asia, especially the Himalayas. It’s composed of humus and organic plant material that has been compressed by layers of rock mixed with microbial metabolites.

Shilajit has been used for general health and vitality in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. More recently, it has gained popularity as a testosterone and libido booster.

Does Shilajit Increase Testosterone?

There is some preliminary evidence that shilajit may increase total testosterone levels. However, more research is needed to determine if it has a meaningful effect on free testosterone.

Animal Research

Most studies on shilajit and testosterone have been conducted in rats. One study gave shilajit to infertile rats for 90 days. The treated rats had significantly higher testosterone levels and sperm counts compared to untreated rats (1).

In another rat study, shilajit increased testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) compared to a control group after 56 days. These increases led to improvements in sperm quality (2).

Human Research

There have only been a few human studies investigating shilajit’s effects on testosterone levels.

One study examined the effects of purified shilajit on 45 infertile men. After 90 days of treatment, 22.7% of participants had increased total testosterone, along with improvements in sperm count and motility (3).

An additional clinical study in oligospermic males found that shilajit treatment significantly increased serum total testosterone, free testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS) compared to baseline levels (4).

While these initial human studies show promise, larger controlled trials are needed.

Potential Mechanisms

Researchers speculate shilajit may increase testosterone and improve male fertility in a few key ways:

• Improving Hormone Production: Compounds in shilajit, like fulvic acid, may stimulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and Leydig cells in the testes, enhancing hormone production (5).
• Lowering Stress: Shilajit helps reduce cortisol levels, which may mitigate testosterone-lowering stress (5).
• Raising Antioxidants: Fulvic acid and other antioxidants help combat oxidative damage and cellular aging (6).

Key Takeaway: There is preliminary evidence that shilajit may increase total testosterone levels. However, current research is limited and more human trials are needed.

Dosage And Safety

Clinical studies often use dosages of 100-500 mg of shilajit extract daily. It’s best taken with meals to enhance absorption.

High-quality purified shilajit supplements have been shown to be generally safe at these dosages short-term (up to 90 days) (3, 4).

However, raw shilajit naturally contains heavy metals and other contaminants. Consuming raw shilajit or very high doses may cause side effects. Safety with long-term use is unknown (7).

The Bottom Line

Shilajit shows potential to boost testosterone, but current evidence is preliminary. While findings seem promising, there’s a need for additional rigorous human trials before conclusions can be made.

Talk to your doctor before taking shilajit or any other supplements to raise testosterone levels. They can help determine if treatment is appropriate for your hormonal health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about shilajit and testosterone.

What are the active ingredients in shilajit?

Some of the main bioactive compounds found in shilajit are:

• Fulvic acid - a natural antioxidant
• Dibenzo-α-pyrones - anti-inflammatory
• Humic acids - may remove toxins
• Benzoic acid - antioxidant
• Many minerals including iron, copper, zinc

These compounds are thought to contribute to shilajit’s beneficial effects.

How long does it take for shilajit to increase testosterone?

Based on limited evidence, shilajit may start increasing total testosterone levels within 90 days of consistent supplementation. However, responses can vary between individuals.

Is shilajit safe?

According to Ayurvedic traditions and emerging research, high-quality purified shilajit appears relatively safe when used appropriately. However, safety with long-term use is unknown.

Raw, unprocessed shilajit can contain contaminants like heavy metals. Consuming raw forms is not recommended.

Can I take shilajit if I have a medical condition?

Talk to your doctor before taking shilajit if you have any medical conditions, hormone imbalances, take prescription medications, or are planning surgery.

Some conditions that may interact with shilajit include diabetes, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders.

Will shilajit increase sperm count and improve fertility?

Early evidence suggests shilajit supplementation may improve several markers of male fertility including sperm count, motility, and testosterone levels. However more research is warranted.

What’s the recommended dosage for shilajit?

Most research showing benefits has used dosages between 100-500 mg per day of purified shilajit. It’s best taken with food for enhanced absorption.

Start with lower dosages to assess tolerance before increasing your intake. And always follow manufacturer or healthcare provider guidelines.

Can I combine shilajit with other testosterone supplements?

It’s best to avoid stacking multiple testosterone supplements together due to potential side effects. Always check with a doctor before combining shilajit with other hormones or supplements.

Some natural stacks reported to be safe include shilajit with ashwagandha, magnesium, zinc, DHEA or vitamin D. But more research is needed.

Will shilajit help build muscle or improve workouts?

There is no good evidence shilajit directly helps build muscle mass. However, if shown to raise testosterone levels, it could provide indirect anabolic, performance enhancing effects over time.

Keep in mind, strength training and proper nutrition are overwhelmingly more important for muscle growth than any supplement alone.

Summary

Shilajit is an herbo-mineral substance used for centuries in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine to enhance male health and vitality. Today, shilajit is growing in popularity as a natural testosterone and fertility booster. But does the research back up these purported effects? Several animal studies reveal shilajit supplementation increases testosterone levels and reproductive health in rats. A few human pilot studies also show promising results. One study gave shilajit to 45 infertile men for 90 days. By the end, almost 23% of the men experienced increased total testosterone, sperm count, and sperm motility. An additional trial reported shilajit elevated total testosterone, free testosterone, and DHEAS in oligospermic infertile males compared to baseline levels. While findings seem encouraging, the current human evidence is limited to small studies. So more rigorous, controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm effects. Researchers speculate shilajit may increase testosterone by improving hormone production pathways, lowering cortisol, and raising antioxidant levels to combat oxidative stress. When taken appropriately, purified preparations appear relatively safe for short-term use. However, raw unprocessed forms of shilajit naturally contain heavy metal contaminants and are not recommended. In summary, shilajit shows early potential to improve testosterone levels in men, perhaps also enhancing fertility parameters. But there’s insufficient evidence to make concrete conclusions so far. Discuss with your doctor if shilajit is appropriate for supporting your hormonal and reproductive health.