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Shilajit Side Effects & Safety

Evidence:Emerging
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Safe with Caution

Potential Side Effects

  • Mild GI discomfort
  • Headache (especially initially)
  • Increased iron absorption (concern with hemochromatosis)
  • Unpurified shilajit may contain heavy metals, mycotoxins, or oxidizing agents
  • Increased uric acid levels at high doses

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • May enhance absorption of other medications and supplements (fulvic acid effect)
  • May lower blood sugar — monitor with diabetes medications
  • May increase iron absorption — caution with iron overload conditions
  • May interact with blood pressure medications
  • Avoid unpurified products due to heavy metal contamination risk

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: 500mg/day of purified extract (1-2g traditional resin)

Full Shilajit Guide

References

  1. RCTPandit S, Biswas S, Jana U, et al. (2016). Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia. DOI PubMed
  2. Carrasco-Gallardo C, Guzmán L, Maccioni RB (2012). Shilajit: a natural phytocomplex with potential procognitive activity. International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. DOI PubMed
  3. Yadav D, Mishra S, Shah KM, Reddy ST, et al. (2026). Safety and Efficacy of TruBlk™ Shilajit Resin Supplementation on Physical Performance and Blood Biomarkers in Healthy Adults: A 28-Day Open-Label Pilot Study.. Cureus. DOI PubMed
  4. RCTMartinez V, McAngus K, Dickerson BL, Leonard M, et al. (2025). Effects of 12 Weeks of Chromium, Phyllanthus emblica Fruit Extract, and Shilajit Supplementation on Markers of Cardiometabolic Health, Fitness, and Weight Loss in Men and Women with Risk Factors to Metabolic Syndrome Initiating an Exercise and Diet Intervention: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.. Nutrients. DOI PubMed
  5. RCTNeltner TJ, Sahoo PK, Smith RW, Anders JPV, et al. (2024). Effects of 8 Weeks of Shilajit Supplementation on Serum Pro-c1α1, a Biomarker of Type 1 Collagen Synthesis: A Randomized Control Trial.. Journal of dietary supplements. DOI PubMed
  6. RCTPingali U, Nutalapati C (2022). Shilajit extract reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss to dose-dependently preserve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. DOI PubMed
  7. RCTKeller JL, Housh TJ, Hill EC, Smith CM, et al. (2019). The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels.. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. DOI PubMed
Show 2 more references
  1. Das A, S El Masry M, Gnyawali SC, Ghatak S, et al. (2019). Skin Transcriptome of Middle-Aged Women Supplemented With Natural Herbo-mineral Shilajit Shows Induction of Microvascular and Extracellular Matrix Mechanisms.. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. DOI PubMed
  2. Das A, Datta S, Rhea B, Sinha M, et al. (2016). The Human Skeletal Muscle Transcriptome in Response to Oral Shilajit Supplementation.. Journal of medicinal food. DOI PubMed