Shilajit for bodybuilding is making waves on the internet.
All for one compound—fulvic acid.
A compound well-known for its ability to boost nutritional absorption. That means enhanced cellular energy (cellular ATP) and support for post-workout recovery. Something needed by everyone seeking gains, fitness, and performance.
Today, certified nutritionists gather a lot of insight before creating a diet plan that works for you. This includes your health vitals, fitness levels, and choice of workout activities such as bodybuilding, strength training, cardio, swimming, and more. They recommend the most beneficial diet and even fitness supplements like shilajit to go with it. This brings us all to one question.
Is it overhyped or actually something worth discussing with your FITPASS dietitian?
Shilajit Gold Resin: A Safe Fitness Supplement
Shilajit gold resin (shilajit swarna bhasma) has been used by bodybuilders for its potency in fulvic acid, humic acid, and other ionic minerals. Dietitians and fitness coaches have been recommending it for its wellness benefits. Many individuals with varying levels of physical activity also use it to clear brain fog and boost energy levels. FITPASS dietitians do not advise against taking Shilajit for bodybuilding. However, they emphasise consuming only high-end lab-verified supplements for safety.
“Shilajit gold resin (shilajit swarna bhasma) is a potent and very safe herbo-mineral dietary supplement when correctly sourced and refined. Umm, I’d say yes, it is good for bodybuilders and people who prefer heavy workouts. But please choose the right brands. You can not mess this up. These days, there are a lot of high-priced faux products in the market with big claims. I highly condemn buying any supplement without proper research. With authentically sourced, lab-certified Shilajit, you can expect natural fulvic acid and minerals that your body needs after a heavy lifting session.”
— Lead Dietitian on FITPASS
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Note: Consuming unpurified versions can introduce toxic levels of lead, mercury, and arsenic into the body. Always consult a certified dietitian for questions about safe supplements that are suitable for your diet and workout activities. Speak with your personal dietitian via the FITPASS app.
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A Peek Into How It Forms
In its raw, unpurified state, Shilajit resin is essentially a natural tar made of plant matter, rock exudate (i.e., soil and rock debris), and heavy metal contamination. Layers of organic material get trapped under mountain rocks and undergo decomposition, forming a compost-like humus. It takes hundreds or millions of years of pressure to eventually form a tar-like resin. It is this resin that slightly oozes out from cracks in high-altitude mountain rocks during warm weather.
- Ancient plants and vegetation
- Microbes and decomposition
- Pressure under the rocks, heat, and time
- Exudation (the melting and oozing due to heat)
Why is it so expensive?
Shilajit is usually procured at altitudes between 2,000 and 4,000 metres. It is a rare find, making it expensive from the get-go. Besides, further refinement is needed before it becomes safe for consumption. The presence of metals in it makes it dangerous to consume directly. This purification of shilajit is known as 'shodhana' in foundational texts of Ayurveda, dating back to the 1st and 6th centuries BCE.
Today, we use advanced methods and lab refinement to purify it for safe human consumption.
How Ayurvedic Manuals Describe it
There have been mentions of Shilajit in ancient Ayurvedic scripts as “shilajitu”, a substance that oozes out from mountain rocks.
- Charak Samhita: centres on internal medicine, diet, and lifestyle.
- Sushruta Samhita: centres on human anatomy and surgery.
The supplement is categorised as a rejuvenating medicine (rasayana) that helps manage ailments when paired with a suitable carrier substance (anupana). The text describes shilajit as a metal found in the source rocks. It is valued as a tonic promoting vitality and strength. Here is how these texts refer to different types of Shilajit depending on the predominant elements of the source rock and its mineral composition:
- Swarna (gold) shilajit: noted for a reddish hue
- Rajat (silver) shilajit: noted for a whitish appearance
- Tamra (copper) shilajit: noted for bluish-purple tint
- Lauha (iron) shilajit: blackish-brown in colour and known as the most effective type for practical treatment
Polarised Public Perception of the Supplement
In general, shilajit for bodybuilding or as a fitness supplement is viewed with bias. The sceptical users often argue regarding the placebo effect, dosage side effects, and the comedown effect. The market shift in public perception based on recent trends divides fitness enthusiasts into two categories.
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Basis
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The Hype
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The Sceptic
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Benefits
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Drastic testosterone boost, instant focus, and stamina
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Modest biological support but exaggerated by male influencers
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Sourcing
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Marketed as an exotic, mystical mountain resin
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High risk of heavy metal, arsenic, mould, and fungus contamination
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Regulation
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Assumed to be safe because it is 100% natural
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Completely unregulated by the FDA and a high presence of counterfeit products
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User Experiences
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Anecdotes of massive libido surges, mental clarity, and energy levels
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Reports of zero effects, headaches, stomach issues, or comedown effects after stopping the dosage
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Shilajit Resin Enters the Fitness Supplement World
Is bodybuilding just hard work, or is there more to the story?
For ages, bodybuilders have used shilajit as a natural fitness supplement to boost nutrient absorption. It did not just trend today. It has been recognised as a fitness supplement for decades. The old-school bodybuilding workouts often mention Shilajit Swarna Bhasma. Today, every bodybuilder takes creatine, but not all take Shilajit.
Let’s see how both of these fitness supplements help bodybuilders.
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Feature
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Creatine Monohydrate
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Shilajit
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Primary energy
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- Phosphagen system
- Rapid ATP regeneration
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- Boosted cellular ATP
- Energy support
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Workout benefit
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Explosive power and strength that help bodybuilders do more reps
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Endurance and fatigue support as a mineral-rich post-workout supplement
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Hormonal impact
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No testosterone increase
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Shilajit increases total testosterone levels by 23-30% over 90 days.
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Noticeable effects in duration
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1-2 weeks
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Up to 90 days in studies
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Fulvic Acid in Shilajit Swarna Bhaasma
Fulvic acid is the main active compound in swarna bhasma shilajit. It makes up roughly 60% to 80% of the compound, which helps move nutrients in the body. This is the reason why the compound is really essential for bodybuilding. People who want better immunity, improved focus, and better total testosterone levels (for men) can also benefit from a well-refined shilajit. Besides fulvic acid, it also contains humic acid and more than 84 trace minerals in ionic form.
It is potent for a reason, as these ionic trace minerals are helpful for their potential bioavailability. This helps people deficient in minerals regain them. Though mineral content varies based on where the shilajit is sourced from.
Here are some of the essential minerals that most well-refined shilajit products offer.
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Mineral role
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Helpful for
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Magnesium
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Muscle function and energy metabolism
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Iron
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Oxygen transport and energy production
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Zinc
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Immunity, wound healing, protein synthesis
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Selenium
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Antioxidant enzymes and thyroid function
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Calcium
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Bone health and muscle contraction
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Potassium & sodium
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Fluid balance and nerve signaling
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Copper & manganese
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Enzyme activity and antioxidant defenses
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Why Dietitians Tell You to Beware of Faux Brands
When they tell you to source it properly, they are not just saying it so you receive a quality product. Using unrefined Shilajit can be dangerous or have side effects for you. It is recommended to ask your dietitian and fitness coach before using it as a fitness supplement.
- Marketing labels may not match the contents
- Unrefined metal contaminants can harm your health
- Fake claims and faux products waste your money
- The risk of side effects from hidden ingredients
- Independent testing builds real trust
- Unpurified Shilajit may contain toxic heavy metals
- Unpurified Shilajit may contain natural pathogens
Prioritise Diet and Supplements for Bodybuilding
Dietitians say that a bodybuilding diet must be full of lean protein, fibre, and carbohydrates. Taking supplements (even Shilajit), for that matter, is only half the battle. Your diet has to be well designed as per your daily energy expenditure, lifestyle, food preferences, bodybuilding workout and health vitals. Besides this, using creatine and shilajit as a mineral-rich rejuvenator helps with optimal nutrition absorption for your fitness goals. With a personalised diet, your bodybuilding workout schedule and strength training evolve into a smarter recovery game.
- less muscle soreness
- steadier weight lifts
- fewer afternoon crashes
Get your strength training diet plan from certified nutritionists via the FITPASS app today.
