Shilajit
When most of us envision dietary supplements, we think of unique herbs, different types of protein, and amino acids. Completely different from those, however, is shilajit, a sticky tar-like substance that is found mostly in the Himalaya’s and Tibetan Mountains. A unique compound has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for millennia and can be found in nature seeping from rocks. Its origin is not completely understood at this time, although most believe it to be from the decomposition of plant matter, particularly the euphorbia royleana cactus.
What it does
Although shilajit has been heralded for hundreds of years, it is only recently becoming studied in Western medicine. As a result, conclusive evidence on what it is actually capable of is not fully understood.
Despite this, shilajit appears to be an effective testosterone enhancer, providing a modest 23.5% increase in infertile men alongside a 9.8% increase in FSH and improved sperm quality[1]. In healthy volunteers, shilajit was able to increase testosterone by 20% as well as increase free testosterone by 19%[2].
How it works
Due to the incredibly small amount of studies on this ingredient, the exact mechanism of action is unknown at this time. That said, it is speculated that the benefits of shilajit reside in its high concentration of fulvic acid. Fulvic acid has been shown to help the body increase absorption of key compounds such as antioxidants, fatty acids, minerals, and potentially probiotics.
Dosing
When using shilajit, look for a product which contains 200mg per day provided in two separate doses, and contains at least 50% fulvic acid.