Shilajit (Purified)
Also known as: mumie, moomiyo, asphaltum, mineral pitch, PrimaVie, purified shilajit extract
Shilajit is a blackish resin that seeps from Himalayan and other mountain rocks, formed from centuries of compressed plant matter. It is rich in fulvic acid and dibenzo-alpha-pyrones and has a long Ayurvedic history as a rejuvenator. A 90-day RCT of purified shilajit at 250 mg twice daily reported higher total and free testosterone in healthy men aged 45–55. It is used in men's vitality, energy, and mitochondrial formulas. Raw shilajit can carry heavy metals, so purified, standardized, tested material is essential.
Research summary
Fulvic acid and dibenzo-alpha-pyrones support mitochondrial electron transport and CoQ10 stability; mechanism for androgen effects is not established.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of extract.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 mg | 250–500 mg | 500 mg | — |
250 mg twice daily (500 mg/day) was used in the testosterone RCT; many products use 250 mg once daily. Take with food. Use only purified extracts standardized to fulvic acid with a certificate of analysis for lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium.
Standardization: ≥50% fulvic acid (PrimaVie: ≥50% fulvic acid, ≥10.3% dibenzo-alpha-pyrones and DBP-chromoproteins)
Source material: purified mineral-resin exudate
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Dark, sticky, bitter, and hygroscopic; powdered extracts need dry handling and flow aids. Resin and liquid formats are traditional. Strong color and taste limit gummy use to low doses.
Formulation notes
Heavy-metal testing is a must; raw or unpurified material is not acceptable. May increase iron absorption. Proposition 65 lead exposure is a real risk without tested material.
- Possible Prop 65 warning
Sources
Related ingredients
CoQ10 (Ubiquinone)
AntioxidantCoenzyme Q10 in its oxidized form, ubiquinone, is the standard, most-studied CoQ10 ingredient.
Typical: 100–300 mg
CoQ10 (Ubiquinol)
AntioxidantUbiquinol is the reduced, active antioxidant form of coenzyme Q10 and the form that predominates in blood.
Typical: 100–200 mg
Tongkat Ali Root Extract
BotanicalA root extract from a Southeast Asian shrub used in men's vitality, stress, and libido formulas.
Typical: 200–400 mg
Cordyceps CS-4 (Cordyceps sinensis mycelium)
MushroomCS-4 is a strain of mycelium originally isolated from wild Cordyceps sinensis and grown by liquid fermentation, which makes it far cheaper and more consistent than the wild caterpillar fungus.
Typical: 1,000–3,000 mg
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)
VitaminNicotinamide riboside is a naturally occurring form of vitamin B3 that the body converts to NAD+ through a shorter route than niacin or niacinamide.
Typical: 250–500 mg