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Shilajit is a thick, sticky, tar-like substance found in the crevices of high-altitude mountains, particularly in the Himalayas. Owing to its origin, Shilajit is also referred to as the Conqueror of the Mountains/Rocks. This primordial Earth’s nectar is formed as a result of the decomposition and mineralization of plants, mosses, and other microbial matter over hundreds of years. 

Shilajit is a highly valued natural supplement well-known in Ayurveda for its extensive range of health benefits for men and women. Since it takes ages to form, a question arises: how long does it take for Shilajit to work? 

Here’s all you need to know about the dosing and impact of taking Shilajit as your natural health booster.

How Long Does it Take for Shilajit to Work?

The time it takes for Shilajit to show pronounced results varies widely from person to person. It also depends on your health goal, body’s response, metabolic rate, digestive health status, and, most importantly, the quality and purity of Shilajit. Assuming all such factors and conditions are ideal and considering the responses that align with what most people typically experience, here is a detailed explanation of how long it usually takes for Shilajit to take effect.

The Energy Booster

Shilajit is a rejuvenating and vitalizing supplement that helps increase the body’s energy supply (ATP formation) and stamina. Mostly, athletes and people who face chronic fatigue, laziness, and remain sleepy all day can get the most out of this natural stimulant in just 3 days to a week, following a once-daily dosing of about 500 mg of Shilajit. 

However, to avoid being too stimulated at bedtime and for better absorption, consume Shilajit early in the morning on an empty stomach. You can take it with your coffee for an extra boost of caffeine power or with a glass of orange juice if you primarily wish to mask its bitter taste.

The Brain Booster

When your body starts to produce more energy, your brain subsequently gets more oxygen and nutrients as a result of better absorption. The fulvic acid, a primary component of Shilajit, is a natural antioxidant that helps in neutralizing tau proteins in the brain, which, when overproduced, begin to damage brain cells. 

This mechanism ultimately enhances brain power and its cognitive functions, such as memory, focus, and learning. So, if you regularly consume about 500-1000 mg of Shilajit for 2 to 6 weeks, you will observe a noticeable improvement in your brain’s clarity and attention.

Sexual Wellness

Shilajit is a natural aphrodisiac. It contains fulvic acid and dibenzo-alpha-pyrones, both of which are potent antioxidants and help protect cells from oxidative stress. DBPs increase mitochondrial functions and protect molecules of testosterone from DNA damage, enhancing their levels by approximately 20% in just 90 days. Shilajit also aids in boosting libido, stamina, and overall sexual health, which is considerably observable in a month following a regular intake of approximately 500 milligrams of it. 

These sexual health benefits are not just confined to men; in fact, Shilajit also helps in balancing female reproductive hormones such as LH and FSH. When these hormones are well-balanced, the menstrual cycles become regulated, aligning all stages at the right times, such as ovulation and menstruation. 

Moreover, since shilajit helps improve blood circulation to the organs, it naturally enhances sensitivity and lubrication, making the overall intimate experience more pleasurable. So, regular use of around 500 milligrams of Shilajit at least 40  minutes before bed can enhance your sexual wellness.

The Beauty Booster

Shilajit is also a miraculous anti-aging supplement due to the presence of powerful antioxidants in it, such as fulvic acid, humic acid, zinc, and dibenzo-alpha-pyrones. These antioxidants help remove toxins from the body, reduce inflammation, and improve the elasticity of the skin. However, these anti-aging effects appear over time, typically within 2 to 3 months, when you consume Shilajit regularly before bed.

Some Effective Timelines

Effect

Initial Results (weeks)

Full Effect (Duration) (weeks)

Energy booster

1-2

3-4

Physical stamina

2-4

6-8

Cognitive clarity

2-3

4-6

Stress reduction

2-3

6-8

Female libido support

3-4

6-8

Testosterone support

4-6

8-12

Anti-aging

4-6

8-12

Immune booster

4-6

8-12

 

What Factors Influence the Effectiveness of Shilajit?

Quality and Purity of Shilajit

Low-quality Shilajit contains a significant amount of adulterants, including fillers and heavy metals. Impure Shilajit also has a low content of fulvic acid, which is one of the most critical antioxidants. If you opt for low-quality, inexpensive Shilajit, it will take longer to show results, and the results will also be poor. Therefore, opt for high-quality Shilajit, precisely in the resin form, containing a minimum of 50% fulvic acid content, if you wish to achieve results more quickly.

Form of Shilajit

The most effective form of Shilajit is resin, likely due to its paste-like consistency, which facilitates the enzymes in the body to act on, digest, and absorb nutrients from it. The next is a powder formulation, which is less efficacious than resin but more effective than capsules. So, it's best if you opt for the resin Shilajit, but if you have a busy schedule and you just wish to pop the pills in the mouth, you can choose Shilajit capsules.

Individual Body Chemistry

Factors like age, sex, metabolic rate, gut health, and baseline energy also influence the effectiveness of Shilajit. Some individuals experience positive results more quickly, while others take longer to notice improvement.

Health Status

People with chronic illnesses do not experience the results that healthy people do. Also, some medical conditions, such as PCOS and breast cancer, require medical intervention and help in adjusting the dosage.

Diet and Lifestyle

A balanced diet rich in nutrients helps supplements work efficiently and produce pronounced results. Similarly, an active lifestyle that incorporates exercise, yoga, and meditation also helps accelerate the functioning of the organs, improves blood circulation, and enhances the absorption of nutrients from food and supplements. In contrast, if you have a sedentary lifestyle with a poor diet, no supplement alone can make a real difference for you.

Dosage

A suitable dosage, based on your age, health, and specific indication, is crucial to achieve the desired goal. Any less or an insufficient amount of nutrients from Shilajit will not produce a significant difference. Typically, 250 to 500 milligrams of Shilajit is recommended for most of the indications. Nevertheless, consult an expert to adjust the dosage that suits you the best.

Consistency

For all the goals in the universe, consistency is the key. If you take your supplements regularly at the same time and in a fixed amount, you will notice better results more quickly than if you skip your supplements.

Time of Consumption

Shilajit works best when taken on an empty stomach, as there is more room for the absorption of microminerals from the supplement and no interaction with the macromolecules of the food. Preferably, you should consume Shilajit early in the morning, either with your coffee, tea, or juice. 

Nevertheless, if you are taking this Nature’s panacea for better sexual performance and hormonal balance, then take it at least 40 minutes before bed, which also means you have to have dinner at least 2 to 3 hours before bed.

Who should not take Shilajit?

Shilajit may interact with certain medicines and medical conditions; for instance, if you are hypoglycemic, there is a chance that Shilajit may lower your blood sugar level too low. Therefore, you should always consult your health practitioner before taking Shilajit or any other supplement in general. 

People who should avoid taking this ancient elixir include:

  • Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
  • Women who are trying to conceive
  •  Diabetics and patients with chronic liver and kidney disease
  • People with cardiovascular problems, such as hypertension, heart failure, clotting disorders, and bleeding tendencies
  •  Hemochromatosis patients (As a risk of absorbing too much iron, which may cause a heart attack and kidney problems)
  •  People with an overactive immune system due to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other hyperactive immune disorders.
  • Children and older adults, as there is limited research on the safe administration of Shilajit to these two extreme age groups.

FAQs

How many mg of Shilajit per day?

The safe daily dosage of Shilajit ranges from 250 milligrams to 1000 milligrams. However, it's always best if you start with the lowest possible dose, i.e., half a teaspoon once daily. You can then gradually increase the dose required to achieve the goal according to your body's response. Generally, people prefer 250-500 mg of Shilajit in two divided doses per day, which is incredibly effective for long-term use.

What is the best time to take Shilajit?

Opinions among Ayurvedic experts and naturopaths vary widely when it comes to suggesting the best time to take Shilajit. Some practitioners recommend taking Shilajit after a workout or at least half an hour before bed, while others suggest consuming it on an empty stomach. 

The science behind the latter suggestion is more logical and easier to comprehend. They say that if you take Shilajit with food, there may be a chance that your body might not fully absorb all its nutrients, probably due to interaction with compounds in the food. Additionally, Shilajit can be too energizing, so it's best to take it in the morning rather than in the evening or at bedtime when your metabolism tends to slow down.

How often should you take Shilajit?

For the best results, you should take a fixed dose of Shilajit every day at the same time. Typically, practitioners recommend a once-daily dose of Shilajit, around 250 to 500 mg for capsule and powder formulations and approximately 300 to 500 mg for the resin form. Nevertheless, you should take an expert’s help in adjusting a suitable dose for you based on your BMI, body response, metabolic rate, digestive health, and, of course, the ultimate goal.

What are the 85 minerals in Shilajit?

Shilajit is a volcano of mineral elements, including macronutrients, trace elements, and rare Earth metals. It is not composed of exactly 85 minerals, as its mineral profile varies widely depending on the geographic source and quality. The basic composition includes:

Macrominerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium, and trace elements like zinc, selenium, molybdenum, fulvic acid, and humic acid. These elements offer a plethora of benefits, which is why Shilajit is a well-known natural supplement. In contrast, many of the rare Earth and metal elements, like aluminum, barium, cadmium, lead, and mercury, are not beneficial for the human body and are carefully removed for the sake of safe administration.

Outlook

The time it takes Shilajit to show noticeable results varies significantly from person to person and is influenced by several factors, including age, sex, health status, metabolic rate, the quality and purity of Shilajit, dosage frequency, and consistency. It also depends on the ultimate goal for which you wish to take this vital resin. Based on your specific indications and health problems, Shilajit may take as little as 3 days to as long as 12 weeks to rectify your condition and bring positive changes to your body. For more details about the timelines of Shilajit’s effects, refer to the table mentioned in this article above.

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