Shilajit is a natural, tar-like substance that oozes from rocks in mountainous regions of the Himalayas, Afghanistan, India, Nepal, and other parts of central Asia. It is the result of the slow breakdown of plant matter that has been compressed beneath layers of rock over millennia. 

The name “shilajit” is a Sanskrit word that roughly translates as the “destroyer of weakness.” Used in traditional Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Tibetan medicine for thousands of years as a revitalizing substance, shilajit is believed to enhance strength and energy, supporting both mental and physical performance, aid in recovery from injuries and illnesses, and support healthy aging.* 

Shilajit is also known as the “conqueror of mountains” due to its reputed ability to enhance strength and endurance,* helping local sherpas scale some of the world's tallest peaks, including Mount Everest.

What is shilajit made of?

Shilajit is a thick, dark-brown substance composed of 85-90% humus and other organic compounds, along with 10-15% trace minerals. It is formed when decomposed plant matter interacts with the surrounding mountainous environment. 

Shilajit is now widely recognized for its high fulvic acid content, along with humic acids, various organic compounds such as terpenes, fatty acids, polyphenols, and substances known as dibenzo-α-pyrones (DBPs) and DBP chromoproteins (DCPs), which are thought to give shilajit antioxidant and other health supportive properties.* 

However, shilajit’s natural composition can vary significantly depending on its geographic origin, which influences its bioactive properties and potential health benefits. Additionally, studies have found that raw shilajit may contain mycotoxins and heavy metals, necessitating purification before it is safe for human consumption. 

Therefore, ensuring the safe use of shilajit today requires a highly purified, compositionally consistent product with an established safety record, supported by double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials demonstrating its benefits for human health.

What is PrimaVie® shilajit?

PrimaVie purified shilajit is a distinctive, patented, and highly refined extract obtained through a solvent-free aqueous process. It is derived from raw shilajit sourced from mountain regions at elevations of 1,500 to 3,500 meters.

PrimaVie stands out from other sources of shilajit for several key reasons.

Patented standardized extract. Developed by one of the leading experts on shilajit, PrimaVie is a standardized extract from the Himalayas and Altai mountains designed to contain the most-beneficial bioactive compounds, including fulvic acids (>50%) and DBPs and DCPs (>10.3%) – the latter two also known as free and conjugated urolithins.

  • Fulvic acids have been found to help balance inflammatory and immune responses, enhance antioxidant defenses, and improve the solubility and absorption of nutrients with low bioavailability.*
  • Urolithins were originally identified as metabolites produced by gut microbes from polyphenolic compounds such as ellagitannins and ellagic acid, commonly found in foods like pomegranates and walnuts. Research has shown that urolithins are antioxidants and help balance inflammatory cytokines, potentially contributing to cellular health and healthy aging. Preclinical studies also suggest potential benefits in slowing brain aging.*
  • PrimaVie® also contains humic acids and more than 40 trace minerals. Each batch undergoes meticulous processing to reduce heavy metals and other potential contaminants, with safety verified through independent laboratory testing.

Backed by published human clinical studies. In addition to its unique, validated composition, PrimaVie is supported by seven clinical and three preclinical studies conducted at public academic institutions and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. 

What does the science say?

Supports men’s sexual and reproductive health.* A clinical study involving 35 healthy men ages 30-45 found that taking a daily dose of 200 mg of PrimaVie purified shilajit extract for 90 days helped maintain healthy sperm number and function, suggesting potential benefits for male reproductive health.1 

In addition, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (RCT) showed daily supplementation with 500 mg of PrimaVie for 90 days promoted healthy total serum testosterone levels as well as the precursor hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), compared to placebo, in healthy men ages 45-55.2

Benefits endothelial function for improved blood flow.* Another RCT showed daily supplementation with 500 mg of PrimaVie for 12 weeks significantly benefited vascular endothelial function, and health of the arteries, while also helping maintain healthy blood lipid levels, compared to the placebo group.3

Supports musculoskeletal health.* A small clinical study involving 16 overweight or obese individuals (average age 36) found daily supplementation with 500 mg of PrimaVie for eight weeks significantly boosted the expression of genes responsible for collagen and extracellular matrix proteins in skeletal muscle compared to a placebo. These effects were further amplified when supplementation was combined with an additional four weeks of treadmill exercise (70-75% maximum heart rate for 20 minutes, three times per week), suggesting shilajit's role in promoting healthy skeletal muscle adaptation to training.4 

Benefits muscle strength.* An RCT found that daily supplementation of 500 mg of PrimaVie for eight weeks significantly mitigated the decline in maximal muscular strength caused by resistance exercise-induced fatigue. It also reduced circulating levels of hydroxyproline, an amino acid associated with collagen breakdown. These findings suggest benefits for muscular performance and the maintenance of connective tissue integrity in recreationally active men.5

Supports skin health.* In an RCT of women (ages 30-65), 500 mg of  PrimaVie for 14 weeks significantly improved blood flow to the facial skin, which typically declines with age and can contribute to cosmetic concerns. Additionally, it promoted the expression of genes involved in new blood vessel formation (vascularization), a process that also diminishes with aging. Moreover, supplementation significantly increased the expression of genes responsible for collagen and extracellular matrix proteins, indicating potential benefits for healthy skin aging.6

Provides support for bone and cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women.* In an RCT, 250-mg or 500-mg doses of PrimaVie to postmenopausal women for 48 weeks supported bone health compared to women taking the placebo. The study also showed shilajit benefited cardiovascular health.7

Thorne’s Advance Testosterone Support, designed for men, provides 500 mg of PrimaVie shilajit per daily serving in synergy with key supportive nutrients like ashwagandha, luteolin and zinc, for healthy testosterone levels, sexual function, cardiovascular health, and overall body composition.*   

References

  1. Biswas TK, Pandit S, Mondal S, et al. Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed shilajit in oligospermia. Andrologia. 2010;42(1):48-56. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2009.00956.x.
  2. Pandit S, Biswas S, Jana U, et al. Clinical evaluation of purified shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia. 2016;48(5):570-575. doi: 10.1111/and.12482.
  3. Niranjan K, Ramakanth GSH, Nishat F, Ushrani P. Evaluation of the effect of purified aqueous extract of shilajit in modifying cardiovascular risk with special reference to endothelial dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int J Ayurved Pharma Res. 2016;4(4).
  4. Das A, Datta S, Rhea B, et al., The human skeletal muscle transcriptome in response to oral shilajit supplementation. J Med Food. 2016;19(7):701-709. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2016.0010.
  5. Keller JL, Housh T, Hill EC, et al. The effects of shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019;16(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s12970-019-0270-2.
  6. Das A, El Masry M, Gnyawali SC, et al., Skin transcriptome of middle-aged women supplemented with natural herbo-mineral shilajit shows induction of microvascular and extracellular matrix mechanisms. J Am Coll Nutr. 2019;38(6):526-536. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2018.1564088. 
  7. Pingali U, Chandrasekhar N. Shilajit extract reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss to dose-dependently preserve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women…: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2022:105:154334. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154334.