Shlajit, a black, sticky substance extracted from the mountains of Asia, is generating increasing controversy in global markets after being widely promoted as a natural supplement believed to boost testosterone levels.
This product is popular among those interested in improving their appearance and some health and men's influencers, sometimes marketed as a "natural steroid." It was traditionally consumed in India and Himalayan countries after being mixed with water or milk, but its form has changed today, becoming a supplement in the form of pills or gummy candies.
Despite their widespread availability, journalistic investigations, including one by Bloomberg, raise doubts about the quality of these products and their ingredients, indicating the possibility of impurities such as heavy metals, organic residues, and synthetic materials in some of the supplements available in the markets.
Part of the problem stems from the rapid growth in global demand, which has led to a large market for counterfeit or impure products. Thousands of brands claim their products are sourced from the Himalayan peaks, while prices vary widely from cheap, gummy candy-like products to expensive ones sold as "pure" resin (a natural substance).
But experts point out that the reality is more complex; shlajit forms in mountainous environments that may be inhabited by animals such as pikas, small rodents, making its collection and purification a delicate and lengthy process. This process often involves days of filtration to remove impurities, a step not all producers adhere to.
Scientific studies warn that even genuine shlajit may contain heavy metals such as lead, while some low-quality types are mixed with substances such as tar, coal, asphalt, or fertilizers.
Conversely, some preliminary research suggests that shlajit contains fulvic acid, a compound believed to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may contribute to supporting brain and liver function. A study published in the journal Andrologia also showed that consuming pure shlajit may be associated with increased testosterone levels in healthy men.
The study included 38 men aged 45 to 55 who took a 250 mg dose twice daily for 90 days, resulting in a significant increase in testosterone levels compared to the placebo group. However, the study was small and funded by the drug's manufacturer, which limits the strength of its findings.
These findings come amid a growing global market for shilajit valued at more than $221 million, but one that suffers from weak regulatory oversight, particularly in the United States, where prior approval from the Food and Drug Administration is not required before marketing dietary supplements.
Experts warn that this weakness in oversight makes it difficult to guarantee the purity of products or their conformity to labels, as the actual contents may not reflect what is advertised.
In contrast, some countries are subject to stricter controls, such as Australia, where the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) oversees these products, and samples containing dangerous heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic have been detected, imposing strict restrictions on their sale and trade.
While the scientific debate continues about the benefits and risks of shilajit, the consumer is left with two choices: an expensive, vetted product, or a less expensive supplement that may carry unknown risks, in a rapidly expanding and poorly regulated market.
