Exactly how shilajit works in the body is largely unknown, but it appears to involve various mechanisms. The principal active compounds in shilajit — fulvic acid, DBPs, and DCPs — are potent antioxidants that seem to enhance the body’s antioxidant capacity and reduce oxidative stress, which may be behind many of the observed effects of shilajit.[1] For example, shilajit has been found to increase blood levels of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase), increase levels of the body’s own antioxidants (e.g., glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E), and reduce malondialdehyde.[2][1][3][4] Shilajit seems to support tissue integrity at least in part by inducing the expression of genes involved in the production of extracellular matrix proteins (e.g., collagen, elastin, fibronectin) and blood vessel formation.[5][6]
How does shilajit work?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Shilajit works in the body through various mechanisms, primarily by enhancing antioxidant capacity and reducing oxidative stress due to its active compounds like fulvic acid. It increases levels of antioxidant enzymes and supports tissue integrity by promoting the expression of genes related to extracellular matrix proteins and blood vessel formation.