Shilajit for children and teenagers

Why we don’t recommend it under 18

Contaminants and developing bodies

Lead is especially harmful to children because it can affect brain development, and public health bodies describe no known safe level of lead exposure. Shilajit can contain lead and other metals from the rock it forms in, with levels varying by batch.^[1] Even within legal limits for adult supplements, the logic of minimising children’s exposure points away from giving them shilajit; see lead in shilajit.

Social media and teenage boys

Shilajit’s growth has been driven largely by social media, particularly among younger men looking for testosterone and performance benefits.^[2] Teenagers may see shilajit promoted alongside gym and “alpha” content. Adolescence is a time of natural hormonal change, and there is no reason for a healthy teenager to try to alter testosterone. The only testosterone trial studied men aged 45–55;^[3] see testosterone.

Young athletes

Young athletes in tested sport face an additional risk: supplements can be contaminated with banned substances, and UK Anti-Doping advises caution with any supplement.^[4] Training, food and sleep are what support young athletes; see sport and anti-doping.

What parents can do

1. Talk openlyAsk what they have seen online and what they hope it will do.
2. Share reliable informationSuch as our evidence ratings.
3. Store supplements safelyEspecially gummies, which look like sweets.
4. Involve a GPFor concerns about growth, energy, mood or puberty.

If a child takes shilajit by accident

If a child swallows shilajit, keep the jar and label and contact NHS 111 for advice, or seek urgent help if they seem unwell. Store all supplements out of children’s reach; see storage.

A note on gummies

Shilajit gummies look and taste like sweets, which increases the risk of children eating them. Keep them locked away and out of sight; see resin vs gummies.

Talking to teenagers about supplements

Teenagers often respond better to curiosity than to rules. Ask what they hope shilajit will do, and look at the evidence together. Point out that most marketed benefits haven’t been studied, that the testosterone trial involved middle-aged men, and that contaminants matter more for young people. Encourage them to question who is selling the idea and why.

What genuinely supports young people

For energy, growth, strength and mood, the foundations are enough sleep, regular meals with adequate protein, physical activity and time away from screens. If a young person feels persistently tired, low or anxious, or is worried about puberty or their body, a GP can help.

Schools and sports clubs

Coaches and teachers can play a part by discouraging supplement use among young athletes and directing questions to qualified professionals.

When a teenager’s supplement use needs attention

If a young person is taking several supplements, using them to change their body shape quickly, restricting food, or becoming preoccupied with muscle or weight, it is worth gently raising it and involving a GP. Supplement use can sometimes sit alongside worries about body image that deserve support.

Safe storage at home

Keep all supplements in their original containers, high up and out of sight, ideally in a locked cupboard.

Online marketing and age checks

Supplements are easy to buy online, often without age checks. Parents may want to talk about online purchases and set expectations about supplements together.

When to involve a GP

Involve a GP if a young person has concerns about growth, puberty, energy, mood or body image. These deserve proper assessment, not a supplement.

Putting it into practice

If you are a parent, keep supplements locked away, talk openly with teenagers about what they see online, and involve a GP for any concerns about growth, energy, mood or body image. If you are a teenager reading this, the honest answer is that shilajit hasn’t been studied in people your age, and the things that genuinely help are sleep, food and activity.

The bottom line

Shilajit isn’t recommended for under-18s: it hasn’t been studied in young people, there is no dose for them, and children are more vulnerable to contaminants. Help teenagers question social media claims, keep supplements locked away, and involve a GP with any health concerns.

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