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Found high up in the rocks of the Himalayas, shilajit is formed after centuries of the slow decomposition of organic plant matter. Shilajit has been harvested for millennia in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, and it has been touted by many traditional medicine practitioners as aiding in a slew of health conditions including the slowing – and even prevention – of Alzheimer’s disease, supporting heart health, and raising energy levels without the usage of caffeine.
Certain scientific studies have shown that shilajit may, in fact, be more than a placebo and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, raise testosterone levels, and even raise energy levels specifically in those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. Many other studies have shown the benefits of shilajit, but we do want to take this time to mention that many of these studies have been conducted on non-human test subjects. Therefore, we need stronger human-based evidence to totally corroborate the traditional claims of Shilajit.
Additionally, always speak with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement. Certain conditions like active heart disease, sickle cell anemia, and thalassemia can interact with shilajit.
If you already have your ducks in a row and are ready to dive into the world of Shilajit, we’ve rounded up five of the best shilajit to buy from brands that boast quality ingredients and super taste for the ultimate health boost.
Organifi’s gummies are a great-tasting way to get your daily dose of shilajit. These gummies are scrumptious with their unique flavor blend of vanilla and cinnamon. Additionally, this gummy includes 2% of your daily vitamin A which is important for maintaining both vision and your immune system amongst other benefits. These gummies are also certified glyphosate-free, an herbicide that may be carcinogenic according to certain studies.
If you want a bigger shilajit splash, Atlantis Nutritional’s shilajit capsules provide a whopping 10,000mg of shilajit per serving due to their 10:1 extract guarantee. Additionally, these capsules are third-party tested to ensure 20% fulvic acid which is naturally found in shilajit. Fulvic acid may aid in preventing chronic inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and colitis. Again, if you’re already experiencing any of these health concerns, it’s important to get your healthcare provider’s green light before popping 10,000mg of shilajit.
Pure Himalayan offers the best of both worlds with their shilajit-infused coffee. This aromatic blend also includes maca root, tongkat ali root, Asian ginseng, raspberry, goji berry, cordyceps, and horny goat weed. Each box comes with 15 sachets that can be stirred directly into hot water or, if preferred, used with a traditional pour-over or other strainer. As a bonus, this supplement is third-party tested and California Prop 65 compliant. (We do want to note that, if you have a sensitive stomach, their website suggests eating a meal before drinking).
Resin is another way to consume shilajit, and BetterAlt provides a highly-pure – and viral Tik Tok – option that consumers love. This third-tested resin is easily dissolvable in warm water (100% pure shilajit resin should always dissolve entirely) and contains 75% fulvic acid per serving. The cool thing about this brand is that they send you a lab-tested certificate that proves quality ingredients and important factors like no heavy metals. As a little reminder, shilajit can be an acquired taste as it’s earthy and pungent, but hardcore shilajit fans say they’ve grown to love the taste.
Shilajit also comes in a powdered form which many protein shake and smoothie enthusiasts love. Lost Empire Herbs’ shilajit powder is very upfront about their entire process and their website offers a step-by-step guide to how their shilajit is harvested, concentrated, and pulverized until ready to mix into your favorite beverage. Lost Empire Herbs recommends drinking their shilajit powder 2-3 times per day, but as always, consult with your healthcare provider beforehand, and it may be a good idea to ease into things so you can see how shilajit affects you.
First and foremost, we cannot stress enough how important it is that you speak with your healthcare provider before taking any new supplement including shilajit. Once you get the green light, the next step is to find a supplement that offers an appropriate dosage that your healthcare provider has recommended. Usually, gummies will have shilajit per serving than, say, resin or capsules. Besides dosage, it really comes down to taste, so newbies may have an easier time with gummies or coffee as shilajit can be an acquired taste.
Are there any potential side effects or precautions associated with Shilajit consumption?
You should never consume raw shilajit. Although sourced from high up in the Himalayas, raw shilajit that has not been purified may contain heavy metals or even fungus. And as shilajit may increase your iron levels according to certain studies, those with blood conditions such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, or hemochromatosis should not take shilajit. Additionally, pregnant or breastfeeding populations should avoid shilajit as more research is needed to gauge interactions.
What is the recommended dosage of Shilajit?
Interestingly, there is no one recommended dosage for shilajit. Some say “the more the merrier” while other companies recommend limiting consumption as it can upset the stomach. We recommend that you start with a low dosage, perhaps around 250 milligrams, and work your way up if you find that shilajit agrees with you. Either way, your healthcare provider can help determine a recommended dosage for you.
How do I know if the Shilajit supplement I’m buying is authentic and high-quality?
As the FDA does not monitor supplements for quality assurance, it’s up to the specific company to hire third-party laboratories to provide testing. All supplements on this list have been third-party tested by a variety of laboratories.
Can Shilajit interact with medications or other supplements?
Shilajit may interact with certain medications that slow the clotting of blood such as over-the-counter aspirin or Warfarin. However, shilajit is still in the early days of scientific study, so we’re really not sure with which medications shilajit interacts with. As always, talk to a medical professional before starting your shilajit journey.
Lauren Manaker is a seasoned and licensed registered dietitian with over 18 years of experience, holding a master's degree in clinical nutrition from Rush University Medical Center. Based in Charleston, SC, she is the owner of a successful nutrition communications business, specializing in consulting for better-for-you food brands, content creation, media representation, and strategic brand building.
