Shilajit is a common supplement used for boosting testosterone and sexual function. Yet, the benefits of shilajit for men may extend beyond those limited areas.
In this article, we’ll cover all of the potential benefits of shilajit for men and discuss the best way to take shilajit to achieve maximum results.
Table of Contents
What is Shilajit?
Shilajit is a black, tar-like natural substance found in mountain regions, especially the Himalayas.
This compound is formed from the microbial decomposition of plants and other organic matter over many years. In its natural state, it exists as an exudate, oozing out of the rocks in the mountains.
Shilajit is a rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds, including:
- Iron, zinc, magnesium, & many other minerals
- Fulvic Acid
- Humic Acids
- Dibenzo-ɑ-pyrones
- Various antioxidants
Due to its nutrient-rich profile, many people believe shilajit benefits male health by enhancing testosterone production, male fertility, exercise performance, cardiovascular health, and supporting hair growth. Shilajit has also been found to benefit skin health.
4 Benefits of Shilajit for Men:
Although shilajit may benefit both men and women, there certainly are specific benefits of shilajit for males. Mainly, shilajit has the potential to offer the following benefits for men’s health:
1. May Increase Testosterone Levels
Shilajit may be able to boost testosterone levels in men with low testosterone. This is important because low testosterone is associated with a variety of mental and physical issues, such as low mood, lack of energy, decreased muscle mass, poor libido, increased body fat, and erectile dysfunction.
Additionally, testosterone levels naturally decline past the age of about 30, so men may experience worsening symptoms of low T over time.
Shilajit and its bioactive compounds may be able to stimulate testosterone production via various pathways, such as by increasing levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and dehyroepiandrosterone (DHEAS), and by directly enhancing testosterone synthesis in the testes.
In one clinical trial on men between 45 and 55 years of age, researchers gave the subjects 250mg of shilajit twice daily or a placebo for 90 days. They found that the men who were given shilajit had significantly higher total testosterone, free testosterone, and DHEAS levels compared to the placebo group.
2. May Improve Fertility
Another potential benefit of shilajit for men is that shilajit may improve fertility and benefit male reproductive health.
It’s estimated that 40-50% of all infertility cases are due to male infertility, which is characterized by suboptimal sperm parameters, including low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm morphology.
In a clinical trial on 35 infertile men with oligospermia (low sperm count), shilajit (taken at 100mg twice daily) led to increased total sperm count and normal sperm count, as well as enhanced testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. Moreover, the men experienced decreased levels of malondialdehyde, which is a marker of oxidative stress.
Based on these findings, shilajit appears to directly improve sperm count and positively impact fertility through other means, such as decreasing oxidative stress in the testes and boosting reproductive hormone levels.
3. May Improve Exercise Performance
Shilajit also has the potential to enhance exercise performance in men. Now, while obviously not all men are competitive athletes, it’s certainly important for men of all types to be able to maintain an exercise program for as long as possible in order to receive the numerous health benefits of exercise.
Not to mention that a reduction in endurance and athletic performance is often seen in aging men, in part due to decreased energy metabolism and lower testosterone levels.
In one clinical study on 63 recreationally active men, researchers gave the subjects a high-dose (500mg) or low-dose (250mg) of shilajit or a placebo for 8 weeks. They found that the men who received high-dose shilajit experienced significantly lower fatigue and maintained higher maximum strength levels compared to the low-dose and placebo group during exercise.
Additionally, the high-dose shilajit group had notably lower hydroxyproline levels, which is a marker of collagen degradation and connective tissue damage.
So, overall, researchers believe that shilajit improves exercise performance due to its ability to enhance adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, increase testosterone, and maintain muscle and connective tissue strength.
4. May Promote Better Heart Health
Heart disease is the most common health condition that affects men. And overall, men are more likely than women to have heart disease at some point.
The only clinical trial relevant to heart health so far was done on healthy volunteers. The researchers noted that supplementing with 2g of shilajit for 45 days led to marked reductions in triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (vLDL), as well as increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and antioxidant status.
One animal-based study involving experimentally-induced heart injury, shilajit appeared to have a cardiovascular protective effect and reduced the overall severity of cardiac lesions. This study also noted antioxidant effects, although they weren’t statistically significant.
Altogether, shilajit may support heart health in men by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, mitigating cardiac damage, and balancing lipid profiles.
Shilajit Dosage for Men:
Based on clinical research, the best shilajit dosage for men is 500 to 1,000mg daily, typically split into two daily doses (morning and afternoon/early evening) since shilajit reaches maximum bioavailability around 12 to 14 hours after ingestion. You can learn more about the best time of day to take shilajit here.
Research has shown benefits with lower amounts such as 200mg, but it appears that the greatest benefits, especially the male-relevant ones, require 500mg or more for maximum effects.
One can certainly start at a lower dosage initially, such as 200mg, and then build up over time.
Safety & Side Effects:
Current evidence shows that shilajit is generally safe to consume in the recommended doses and holds few side effects.
However, it is necessary for more human trials to be completed in order to gain a more definitive picture of shilajit’s safety profile.
Possible side effects of shilajit are:
- Allergic reactions
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Intoxication (if consuming an impure product)
Importantly, shilajit is unsafe to consume in its natural form as it potentially contains a variety of contaminants. It’s necessary to only buy shilajit supplements that are processed to remove impurities, including heavy metals and microbial contaminants.
To do this, be sure to choose shilajit dietary or gummy supplements from well-trusted, reputable brands that undergo third-party testing from accredited labs.
Additionally, you can click here to learn more about the safety profile of shilajit.
Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before consuming shilajit or any other dietary supplement, especially if you have medical conditions and/or take prescription medications.
Conclusion:
Shilajit has several potential health benefits for males, such as increased testosterone, improved fertility, greater energy and exercise performance, and heart support. These effects are attributed to the variety of compounds in shilajit which offer many different effects in the body.
In order for males to benefit most from shilajit, it is important to choose a dietary supplement that is processed to remove all impurities. Ideally, men should take around 500mg per day to experience the best results, but there will always be individual variation.
Overall, when taken consistently and at the right dose, shilajit has an impressive line-up of benefits for men.
