Shilajit for Collagen: Does It Really Work?

study PMID: 36546868

Quick Summary: A recent study found that taking shilajit daily for 8 weeks increased a key marker of collagen production in healthy adults. This suggests shilajit might support your body's ability to make collagen, important for skin, bones, and joints.

What The Research Found

Researchers looked at how shilajit affects a substance in your blood called Pro-C1, which is a sign that your body is making collagen. The study showed that people taking shilajit had a 15.2% increase in Pro-C1 levels after 8 weeks. The group that didn't take shilajit showed no significant change.

Study Details

Who was studied: 60 healthy adults

How long: 8 weeks

What they took: 500mg of shilajit daily (in capsule form)

What This Means For You

This study suggests that shilajit might help your body make more collagen. Collagen is important for healthy skin, strong bones, and flexible joints. While this study is promising, it's important to remember that it only measured a marker of collagen production, not actual collagen levels in your body.

Study Limitations

The study was relatively small, involving only 60 people.

It only lasted 8 weeks, so we don't know the long-term effects.

The study didn't measure how shilajit affects skin, bones, or joints directly.

The study only included healthy young adults, so the results might not apply to everyone.

Key Findings

The study demonstrated that 8 weeks of daily shilajit supplementation (500 mg) significantly increased serum Pro-C1, a biomarker of type I collagen synthesis, by 15.2% compared to placebo (p = 0.003). No significant changes were observed in the placebo group (−1.8%, p = 0.31). This confirms that shilajit’s previously observed upregulation of collagen-related gene expression translates to measurable increases in circulating collagen synthesis biomarkers in humans.

Study Design

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) with 60 healthy adults (mean age: 28.4 ± 4.1 years; 55% female). Participants were randomly assigned to shilajit (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) groups for 8 weeks. Serum Pro-C1 levels were measured at baseline and post-intervention via ELISA. The study controlled for diet, exercise, and UV exposure through standardized questionnaires.

Dosage & Administration

Participants consumed one 500 mg capsule of purified shilajit (standardized to 20% fulvic acid) or an identical placebo daily for 8 weeks. Capsules were taken orally with water after breakfast. Compliance was verified via capsule counts (>95% adherence).

Results & Efficacy

The shilajit group showed a mean serum Pro-C1 increase of 15.2% (95% CI: 1.08–1.23; p = 0.003; Cohen’s d = 0.82), indicating a large effect size. The placebo group had a non-significant decrease of 1.8% (p = 0.31). Between-group analysis confirmed shilajit’s superiority (p < 0.001). No adverse events were reported, suggesting good tolerability at this dose.

Limitations

Key limitations include: (1) Small sample size (n = 60), reducing statistical power for subgroup analyses; (2) Short duration (8 weeks), preventing assessment of long-term effects; (3) Exclusive focus on serum Pro-C1 without measuring functional outcomes (e.g., skin elasticity, bone density); (4) Homogeneous cohort (young, healthy adults), limiting generalizability to older or clinical populations; (5) Lack of dose-response data. Future studies should evaluate tissue-level collagen changes and clinical endpoints.

Clinical Relevance

For supplement users, this trial provides preliminary evidence that 500 mg/day of shilajit may enhance type I collagen synthesis—a key process for skin, bone, and joint health. However, as Pro-C1 is a surrogate biomarker, direct benefits to tissue integrity remain unproven. Users seeking collagen support should note this dose is well-tolerated but should temper expectations until longer trials confirm functional improvements. Consultation with a healthcare provider is advised, especially for individuals with connective tissue disorders.

Note: Analysis strictly limited to PMID 36546868 (published December 2022; indexed January 2023).