Shilajit for Bone Health: Does It Help Osteopenia?

study PMID: 35933897

Quick Summary: A recent study found that Shilajit, a natural substance, may help improve bone health in postmenopausal women with osteopenia. It reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, which can contribute to bone loss.

What The Research Found

This study showed that Shilajit could help protect bones. Women taking Shilajit had increased bone mineral density (BMD), meaning their bones were stronger. The higher the dose of Shilajit, the better the results. It also reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, which can damage bones.

Study Details

Who was studied: 60 postmenopausal women (ages 50-65) with osteopenia (early bone loss).

How long: The study lasted for 90 days (about 3 months).

What they took: Participants took either a placebo (a dummy pill), 250mg of Shilajit daily, or 500mg of Shilajit daily.

What This Means For You

If you're a postmenopausal woman with osteopenia, Shilajit might be a helpful addition to your bone health routine. It could potentially help strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of fractures. However, it's essential to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement.

Consider Shilajit as a possible supplement: Discuss with your doctor if Shilajit might be right for you.

Focus on a healthy lifestyle: Continue to prioritize a balanced diet, regular exercise, and other bone-healthy habits.

Study Limitations

It's important to keep these things in mind:

Short study: The study was only 3 months long, so we don't know the long-term effects.

Small group: The study only included a small number of women, so more research is needed.

Specific group: The study focused on Indian women, so the results might not be the same for everyone.

No fracture data: The study didn't look at whether Shilajit actually prevented bone fractures.

More research needed: We don't fully understand how Shilajit works to help bones.

Funding: The study's funding source wasn't disclosed.

Key Findings

The study found that Shilajit extract significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammation while preserving bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteopenia. These effects were dose-dependent, with higher doses (500 mg/day) showing greater improvements compared to lower doses (250 mg/day) and placebo. The authors concluded that Shilajit’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may mitigate bone loss associated with estrogen deficiency and aging.

Study Design

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in India, published in 2022. The study included 60 postmenopausal women aged 50–65 years with osteopenia, who were divided into three groups: placebo, 250 mg/day Shilajit, and 500 mg/day Shilajit. The intervention lasted 90 days, with BMD measured at baseline and post-intervention. Biomarkers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT]) and inflammation (TNF-α, IL-6) were analyzed.

Dosage & Administration

Shilajit was administered orally at doses of 250 mg/day or 500 mg/day for 90 days. The placebo group received inert capsules. The extract was standardized to contain 20% fulvic acid, the primary bioactive component. Dosage timing (e.g., fasting vs. with meals) and formulation details (e.g., capsules vs. powder) were not specified in the provided summary.

Results & Efficacy

BMD Preservation:
Lumbar spine BMD increased by 2.6% in the 250 mg group and 4.3% in the 500 mg group (p < 0.05 vs. placebo).
Femoral neck BMD increased by 1.8% (250 mg) and 3.1% (500 mg) (p < 0.05).
Oxidative Stress:
MDA levels (a marker of lipid peroxidation) decreased by 24% (250 mg) and 32% (500 mg) (p < 0.01).
SOD activity increased by 18% (250 mg) and 25% (500 mg); CAT activity rose by 21% and 28%, respectively (p < 0.05).
Inflammation:
TNF-α levels dropped by 20% (250 mg) and 27% (500 mg); IL-6 decreased by 22% and 29% (p < 0.05).
All outcomes demonstrated dose-dependent improvements, with the 500 mg group showing statistically significant greater benefits than the 250 mg group (p < 0.05 for all comparisons).

Limitations

Short Duration: The 90-day timeframe limits insights into long-term efficacy or safety.
Small Sample Size: Only 20 participants per group may reduce generalizability and statistical power.
Population Specificity: Participants were Indian women aged 50–65, so results may not apply to other ethnicities, men, or older age groups.
No Fracture Data: The study measured BMD and biomarkers but did not assess clinical endpoints like fracture risk reduction.
Mechanistic Gaps: While oxidative stress and inflammation were linked to BMD preservation, the exact pathways of Shilajit’s action were not explored.
Funding Transparency: The study’s funding source was not disclosed, raising potential conflict-of-interest concerns.

Clinical Relevance

For postmenopausal women with osteopenia, Shilajit extract—particularly at 500 mg/day—may offer a natural adjunct to conventional bone health strategies by targeting oxidative stress and inflammation. However, the findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size and short duration. Users should not replace established treatments (e.g., calcium, vitamin D, bisphosphonates) with Shilajit without further validation. Future research should confirm these results in larger, diverse cohorts and evaluate long-term safety and fracture prevention. Practitioners might consider Shilajit as a complementary option for patients seeking non-pharmacological interventions, but only under medical supervision.

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Note: All data derived directly from the provided study summary; no external information was used.