The Basics
What is shilajit?
Shilajit is a sticky, tar-like resin that seeps from high-altitude rock strata — primarily in the Himalayas — formed over centuries from the breakdown of plant matter.
Its biological activity comes chiefly from fulvic acid and related humic compounds, alongside dibenzo-α-pyrones and more than 80 trace minerals.6 Fulvic acid is a small, highly bioavailable molecule that acts as a natural carrier — shuttling minerals into cells and behaving as an antioxidant. A quality supplement is standardized to its fulvic-acid content; 4 Gauge uses purified shilajit standardized to ≥50% fulvic acid.
While shilajit has broad traditional uses, this page focuses on the applications with the strongest modern evidence in men: testosterone, fertility, energy and recovery. (Shilajit is a key ingredient in 4 Gauge Premium Testosterone Support, which delivers 500 mg per serving.)
Mechanism
How shilajit works
Shilajit's benefits trace back to its fulvic-acid fraction and its effects on the cell's energy and hormone machinery.
The fulvic-acid component acts as a mineral-shuttling carrier and antioxidant, helping deliver nutrients into cells while reducing oxidative stress.6 On the hormonal side, mechanistic work points to shilajit activating key steroidogenic enzymes — 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD — that the testes use to manufacture testosterone, while lowering testicular oxidative stress through Nrf-2/Keap-1 antioxidant signalling.2
At the cellular level, shilajit has been studied for supporting mitochondrial energy production, which underlies its traditional reputation as an anti-fatigue, vitality-promoting "rasayana" (rejuvenator).6
The bottom line
Shilajit supports testosterone by helping the testes' own hormone-making enzymes work better, while its fulvic acid supports cellular energy and antioxidant defense.
Benefits At A Glance
What shilajit is studied for in men
Six research-backed areas, anchored by male hormonal, fertility and energy outcomes. Select a card to jump to the evidence.
Key Research Findings
What the literature consistently shows
Plain-language summaries of the strongest findings on shilajit in men.
01
In a 90-day randomized, placebo-controlled trial, purified shilajit significantly increased total testosterone (about +20%), free testosterone and DHEAS while maintaining LH and FSH.1
02
In men with low sperm counts, processed shilajit increased total sperm count by ~61% and testosterone by ~23%, while lowering oxidative-stress markers.5
03
Shilajit supplementation helped attenuate fatigue-induced losses in muscular strength in an 8-week trial.3
04
Oral shilajit altered the expression of muscle genes involved in extracellular matrix and connective-tissue remodeling — relevant to recovery and adaptation.4
05
Mechanistic work shows shilajit activates testosterone-producing enzymes (3β-HSD, 17β-HSD) and reduces testicular oxidative stress.2
Benefit · 01
Shilajit & Testosterone
The headline benefit for men
Backed by a placebo-controlled human trial
What the research shows
The key human study (Pandit et al., 2016) was a 90-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 45–55 taking purified shilajit at 250 mg twice daily. Compared with placebo, shilajit significantly increased total testosterone (about +20%), free testosterone and DHEAS, while the gonadotropic hormones LH and FSH were well maintained — a hormonal signature consistent with supporting the body's own production rather than overriding it.1
The mechanism is supported by laboratory work showing shilajit activates the steroidogenic enzymes 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD and protects testicular tissue from oxidative stress.2
Honest framing
The strongest testosterone trial used purified, standardized shilajit at a defined dose over 90 days. Results came from consistent use of a quality, purified extract — not raw resin of unknown purity.
Reviewed by the 4 Gauge research team
Benefit · 02
Energy, Strength & Recovery
The "vitality" reputation, examined
From traditional rejuvenator to measured outcomes
What the research shows
Shilajit's traditional use as an anti-fatigue tonic has some modern support. An 8-week randomized trial found that shilajit supplementation helped attenuate the fatigue-induced decline in muscular strength, with effects linked to changes in serum hydroxyproline (a connective-tissue marker).3 A gene-expression study showed that oral shilajit modulated the expression of muscle genes involved in extracellular-matrix and connective-tissue remodeling — a plausible basis for benefits to recovery and tissue adaptation.4
More recent work continues to explore shilajit and physical performance, including a 2025 open-label pilot reporting changes in performance and blood biomarkers in healthy adults — promising but preliminary, and in need of placebo-controlled confirmation.7
Honest framing
The energy and strength evidence is encouraging but earlier-stage than the testosterone and fertility data — effect sizes vary and larger controlled trials are still needed.
Reviewed by the 4 Gauge research team
Benefit · 03
Fertility & Sperm Health
Among shilajit's most striking human results
Measured in men with low sperm counts
What the research shows
A clinical study (Biswas et al., 2010) in infertile men with low sperm counts (oligospermia) gave processed shilajit (100 mg twice daily) for 90 days. Compared with baseline, treatment produced significant improvements: total sperm count rose ~61%, sperm motility improved, the proportion of normal sperm increased, and serum testosterone rose ~23% with a concomitant ~19% drop in semen oxidative-stress (MDA) markers. Liver and kidney profiles were unchanged, indicating good tolerability at the dose used.5
Why it matters
The fertility findings reinforce shilajit's antioxidant and hormonal mechanisms — oxidative stress is a major driver of poor sperm quality, and shilajit appears to act on both fronts.
Reviewed by the 4 Gauge research team
Dosage
How much shilajit should you take?
These ranges reflect the doses and durations used in the clinical research.
| Goal | Dose | Form | Timing |
|---|
| Testosterone & vitality |
~500 mg/day (250 mg twice) |
Purified, ≥50% fulvic acid |
Daily, ~90 days |
| Fertility / sperm health |
~200 mg/day (100 mg twice) |
Purified resin/extract |
Daily, ~90 days |
| General energy & recovery |
250–500 mg/day |
Purified, ≥50% fulvic acid |
Daily, ongoing |
Good to know
Hormonal and fertility benefits in the trials emerged over about 90 days of consistent daily use — shilajit is a "take it daily and be patient" ingredient.1
Safety
Is shilajit safe? Side effects
Purified shilajit was well-tolerated in the clinical trials — the critical caveat is purity.
In the testosterone and fertility studies, purified shilajit was well-tolerated, with unchanged liver and kidney profiles at the doses used.5 The single most important safety point is to only use purified shilajit that has been screened for heavy metals — raw resin can be contaminated and is not safe to consume. Because shilajit can raise testosterone and influence iron levels, men with hormone-sensitive conditions or iron-overload disorders (such as hemochromatosis) should avoid it, and anyone pregnant or breastfeeding should not use it. As always, consult a healthcare provider before use if you take medication or have a medical condition.
In The Formula
Shilajit in 4 Gauge
Shilajit adds a mineral-and-vitality dimension to Premium Testosterone Support — in purified, standardized form.
4 Gauge Premium Testosterone Support includes 500 mg of purified shilajit, standardized to ≥50% fulvic acid and screened for heavy metals — the purified, quality-controlled type used in the research, not raw resin. It works alongside the formula's other evidence-based actives; this page focuses on shilajit specifically, and you can explore the full formula on the Premium Testosterone Support research page.
Put shilajit's research to work
A transparent, purified 500 mg shilajit dose standardized to ≥50% fulvic acid — as part of an evidence-based testosterone-support formula.
- 500 mg purified shilajit
- ≥50% fulvic acid
- Heavy-metal screened
- No proprietary blends
Continue Your Research
Keep exploring the Research Hub
More evidence-based ingredient and topic deep dives from the 4 Gauge Research Hub.
About the Author
Who wrote and reviewed this page
Author & Reviewer
Connor Southworth
Founder, 4 Gauge
Connor Southworth is the founder of 4 Gauge and has spent years researching, formulating and manufacturing premium nutritional supplements. He personally oversees product development and ingredient selection, with a focus on evidence-based formulations designed to support performance, recovery and long-term health.
10+ yrsIn nutrition
Evidence-ledFocus
June 2026Last reviewed
June 2027Next review
FAQ
Shilajit for men: common questions
Does shilajit really increase testosterone?
The best human evidence is supportive. A 90-day randomized, placebo-controlled trial in men aged 45–55 found purified shilajit significantly raised total testosterone (about 20%), free testosterone and DHEAS versus placebo, while keeping LH and FSH stable. Results came specifically from purified, standardized shilajit.
What are the main benefits of shilajit for men?
The strongest evidence is for testosterone and male fertility (sperm count, motility and quality), with additional research on fighting fatigue, supporting muscle strength and recovery, and providing antioxidant and mineral support through its fulvic-acid content.
How long does shilajit take to work?
The testosterone and fertility trials ran about 90 days. Shilajit builds its effects with consistent daily use over weeks to months rather than acutely, so patience and consistency matter.
Is shilajit safe? What should I look for?
Purified shilajit was well-tolerated in trials. The crucial point is purity: only use purified shilajit screened for heavy metals and standardized to fulvic-acid content. Raw, unprocessed resin can be contaminated. Men with iron-overload conditions and anyone pregnant should avoid it.
How much fulvic acid should shilajit contain?
Look for purified shilajit standardized to its fulvic-acid content — quality material is typically standardized to at least 50% fulvic acid, the kind used in clinical research. 4 Gauge uses purified shilajit at ≥50% fulvic acid.
Sources & References
The research behind shilajit for men
Grouped by topic. Human RCTs and clinical studies are weighted above mechanistic data.
01 · TopicTestosterone & Hormones
- 1.Pandit S, et al. "Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers." Andrologia, 2016;48(5):570–575. doi:10.1111/and.12482
- 2.Yadav A, et al. "Shilajit mitigates chemotherapeutic drug-induced testicular toxicity: steroidogenesis modulation and Nrf-2/Keap-1 signaling." J Ayurveda Integr Med, 2024. PMC11362644
02 · TopicEnergy, Strength & Recovery
- 3.Keller JL, et al. "The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels." J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 2019;16:3. PMC6364418
- 4.Das A, et al. "The Human Skeletal Muscle Transcriptome in Response to Oral Shilajit Supplementation." J Med Food, 2016;19(7):701–709. PMC4948208
- 7."Safety and Efficacy of Shilajit Resin Supplementation on Physical Performance and Blood Biomarkers in Healthy Adults: A 28-Day Open-Label Pilot Study." 2025. PMC12848467
03 · TopicFertility & Fulvic Acid
- 5.Biswas TK, 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
- 6.Syed G, et al. "Study of Fulvic Acid: A Natural Dietary Supplement." 2014. View source
