Cadmium in Shilajit

Why cadmium can be present

Shilajit takes up elements from its host rock, and cadmium is one of the metals that can come with it. Levels vary with the source deposit, so they can differ between brands and between batches of the same brand; see minerals and trace elements and how origin affects composition.

Why cadmium matters

Cadmium is notable because the body removes it very slowly. Small amounts taken regularly can accumulate over many years, especially in the kidneys, which is why long-term exposure is the main concern rather than a single serving. That makes cadmium particularly relevant to shilajit, which many people take daily for months. People with reduced kidney function should be especially cautious; see kidney and urinary health.

The UK limit

Reading a cadmium result

A “below detection limit” result means cadmium wasn’t found above the method’s detection limit, which should be stated; see detection limits and “not detected”.

Per serving vs per kilogram

Some certificates report metals per serving rather than per kilogram, which can make figures look very small. Per-serving results aren’t directly comparable with the GB mg/kg limit unless you know the serving weight and basis. Ask for mg/kg results, or convert carefully; see units on lab reports.

Reducing your cadmium exposure

• Batch-tested products onlyWith a cadmium result in mg/kg.
• Stay within the label servingExposure rises with dose.
• Don’t combine shilajit productsExposure adds up.
• Consider breaks in long-term useDiscuss with a GP if you take shilajit for many months; see long-term use.

Other sources of cadmium

Cadmium also comes from diet and, notably, from smoking. If you smoke, your cadmium exposure is already higher, which is one more reason to choose a well-tested product and to discuss supplements with a GP.

How cadmium is measured

Laboratories usually measure cadmium using ICP-MS after digesting the sample in acid. The method can detect very low levels, so a good report gives a numerical result or a clear detection limit well below the 1.0 mg/kg legal maximum.^[1] A detection limit close to or above the legal limit makes a “not detected” result much less useful; see ICP-MS explained.

Cadmium across batches

Because cadmium comes from the source rock, it can change when a brand’s raw material changes. A brand that publishes reports for each batch lets you see whether results are stable. If one batch shows a much higher result than previous ones, it is reasonable to ask why, even if it is still within the limit.

Questions to ask a brand

1. What is the cadmium result for my batch?In mg/kg as sold.
2. What was the detection limit?Well below 1.0 mg/kg.
3. How has it varied across recent batches?Stable results are reassuring.

Who should be most careful

People with kidney disease, smokers, and anyone taking shilajit daily for long periods have the most reason to pay attention to cadmium results. People with kidney conditions should speak to their kidney team before taking shilajit at all. Pregnant women and children shouldn’t take it; see pregnancy and children.

Cadmium in the wider diet

Cadmium is present at low levels in many everyday foods, including cereals, vegetables and shellfish, because plants take it up from soil. A supplement adds to that background exposure. For most people the supplement’s share is small if the product is well tested, but the cumulative nature of cadmium is why the batch result still matters.

In short

Check the cadmium result in mg/kg for your batch, and take extra care if you have kidney problems.

The bottom line

Cadmium can occur in shilajit and builds up in the body over time, so it matters most for long-term daily users. GB law caps it at 1.0 mg/kg in supplements. Check the batch report for a cadmium result in mg/kg, stay within the label serving, and be especially careful if you have kidney problems.

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