Evidence at a glance
Mainly animal studies; no human trials of weight, blood sugar or cholesterol. How ratings work: evidence rating system.
What animal research suggests
Reviews of shilajit list effects on blood sugar among the properties studied in animal and laboratory research.[1] A 2011 review cautioned that several early pharmacological studies had problems with doses and controls.[3] Animal metabolic results often fail to translate to people, so these findings are a reason for human research, not a basis for health claims.
The human study in overweight adults
A 2016 study gave a standardised extract to overweight adults and took muscle biopsies to examine gene expression.[2] It is sometimes cited in weight-loss marketing, but it didn’t test weight loss, body fat, blood sugar or cholesterol. Its findings are covered in cellular and gene-expression research and exercise and muscle.
Evidence by outcome
A caution for people with diabetes
Because animal research suggests shilajit may affect blood sugar, and interactions with diabetes medicines haven’t been studied in people, speak to your diabetes team or pharmacist before taking it. Never stop or change prescribed medicines in favour of a supplement. See medication interactions and existing health conditions.
About weight-loss marketing
Shilajit is increasingly sold as a metabolism or weight-loss aid, often in gummies containing sugar. No human trial supports weight loss, and some gummy formats add calories and sugar; check the label. Weight-loss claims for food supplements are tightly restricted in UK marketing.[4] Sustainable weight management rests on diet, activity, sleep and, where appropriate, medical support.
Metabolic claims and UK rules
“Balances blood sugar”, “lowers cholesterol” and “boosts metabolism” are health claims that need authorised wording.[5][4] Some nutrients and fibres have authorised claims in this area; shilajit doesn’t. Claims to treat diabetes or high cholesterol are medicinal claims.[6]
Why animal metabolic results often don’t transfer
Animal metabolic studies often use high doses relative to body weight, induce diabetes chemically, and run for short periods. Human metabolism, diet and medicines differ widely. Many substances that lower blood sugar in rodents have no meaningful effect in people. That is why metabolic claims need human trials with standard measures such as HbA1c, fasting glucose and cholesterol profiles; see human vs animal evidence.
Check the sugar in gummies
Shilajit gummies often use a sugar-based confectionery base. For people managing blood sugar or weight, that matters more than any claimed metabolic effect. Read the nutrition information and consider resin or capsules instead; see shilajit gummies.
What a convincing metabolic trial would need
A useful trial would enrol people with raised blood sugar or cholesterol, compare shilajit with placebo for at least 12 weeks, and measure standard outcomes such as HbA1c, fasting glucose, LDL cholesterol and body weight, while recording diet and activity. It would also check safety in people taking metabolic medicines. Nothing like this has been published for shilajit, which is why the topic remains “Preclinical only”.
Liver and cholesterol medicines
People taking statins or other cholesterol medicines should check with a pharmacist before adding any supplement, as interactions with shilajit haven’t been studied.
The bottom line
Metabolic claims for shilajit rest on animal studies and a human study that measured something else. There is no evidence that it helps weight loss, blood sugar or cholesterol in people. If you have diabetes or take metabolic medicines, check with your care team first.
Frequently asked questions
Does shilajit help weight loss?
No human trial has tested this. One study in overweight adults measured muscle genes, not weight.[2]
Does shilajit lower blood sugar?
Animal studies suggest possible effects, but no human trial has tested it.[1]
Can people with diabetes take shilajit?
Speak to your diabetes team or pharmacist first, because interactions with blood-sugar medicines haven’t been studied.
Does shilajit lower cholesterol?
No human trials found.
Do shilajit gummies help weight loss?
No. Some gummies contain sugar; check the label.
Can sellers claim shilajit boosts metabolism?
What helps blood sugar and cholesterol?
Diet, activity, weight management and, where needed, prescribed treatment. A GP can check both.
Can shilajit replace diabetes medicine?
No. Never stop or change prescribed medicines in favour of a supplement.
Do shilajit gummies contain sugar?
Many do. Check the nutrition information on the label.
Has shilajit been tested in people with prediabetes?
No human trial has been published.
Does shilajit affect appetite?
Not studied in human trials.
Can shilajit help PCOS?
Not studied. PCOS needs medical assessment and management.
Does shilajit affect blood pressure?
Not studied in human trials. If you take blood pressure medicines, check with a pharmacist before taking shilajit.
Is shilajit safe for people with kidney disease?
There is no research, and kidney disease affects how the body handles minerals. Speak to your kidney team first.
Does shilajit help with insulin resistance?
No human trial has tested this. Insulin resistance is best managed with medical advice, diet and activity.
Sources & further reading
Primary research, regulators and standards bodies are cited first. A source being listed here does not mean it supports every claim made by sellers; it supports the specific statement it is attached to.
- Agarwal SP, et al.. Shilajit: a review. Phytotherapy Research 21(5):401–405, 2007. doi:10.1002/ptr.2100; PMID 17295385. View source (opens in a new tab) [Review]
- Das A, et al.. The human skeletal muscle transcriptome in response to oral Shilajit supplementation. Journal of Medicinal Food 19(7):701–709, 2016. doi:10.1089/jmf.2016.0010; PMID 27414521. View source (opens in a new tab) [Human study (gene expression)]
- Wilson E, Rajamanickam GV, Dubey GP, et al.. Review on shilajit used in traditional Indian medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 136(1):1–9, 2011. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.04.033; PMID 21530631. View source (opens in a new tab) [Review]
- Committee of Advertising Practice. UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising (CAP Code), Section 15: Food, food supplements and associated health or nutritional claims. asa.org.uk. View source (opens in a new tab) [Advertising code]
- Department of Health and Social Care. Great Britain nutrition and health claims (NHC) register. GOV.UK. View source (opens in a new tab) [Official register]
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Borderline products: how to tell if your product is a medicine. GOV.UK. View source (opens in a new tab) [Regulator guidance]