09/01/2026
SHILAJIT: AN ANCIENT REMEDY WITH A MODERN BONE QUESTION
Have you seen the Facebook posts on a supplement with 100% success in reversing osteoporosis? I have too; and as osteopenia and osteoporosis are major concerns in my patient population, have dug deeper.
The miracle supplement: Shilajit.
Shilajit—pronounced roughly “shee-lah-jeet”—is a dark, mineral-rich resin traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. It may look a little like something scraped from the bottom of an old hiking boot, but researchers are beginning to examine it seriously.
A 48-week randomized, placebo-controlled study followed 60 postmenopausal women with osteopenia. Women receiving a standardized, purified shilajit extract—250 or 500 mg daily—had better preservation of bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, along with favorable changes in bone-turnover, inflammatory and oxidative-stress markers. The higher dose produced stronger results.
Promising? Yes.
Proof that shilajit prevents fractures or treats established osteoporosis? Not yet.
This was one small trial, involving one standardized product and one population—and it measured bone density, not actual fractures. (See study here: https:/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35933897/)
How does shilajit compare with prescription treatment?
Medications such as bisphosphonates have been studied in thousands of patients and have demonstrated reductions in vertebral, hip and other fractures. Denosumab, teriparatide, abaloparatide and romosozumab also have important roles, particularly when fracture risk is high or other treatments are unsuitable. These medicines have potential side effects and require individualized selection and monitoring—but when someone has osteoporosis or a previous fragility fracture, “natural” should not automatically mean “enough.” Prescriptions may protect independence—and sometimes life itself.
If you consider shilajit, product quality matters enormously. Raw or poorly purified products may contain lead, mercury, arsenic, or other contaminants. Look for an independently tested, purified product with a current certificate of analysis, and discuss it with your healthcare provider. The FDA specifically warns that some unapproved Ayurvedic products have caused heavy-metal poisoning.
Because dietary supplements are not FDA-approved or routinely tested before sale, quality matters enormously. Choose purified shilajit from a reputable manufacturer that provides a recent, batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) from an independent laboratory. The report should confirm the product’s identity and potency and screen for lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, bacteria, mold, and other contaminants. Third-party verification from organizations such as NSF or USP is another reassuring sign. Avoid raw or unprocessed shilajit, mysterious “proprietary blends,” products making miracle-cure claims, and anything suspiciously cheap—the bargain bin is not the ideal place to shop for ancient mountain resin. Finally, bring the label to your physician or pharmacist, particularly if you take prescription medicines or have kidney disease, gout, iron-overload disorders, diabetes, or blood-pressure concerns.
Finally, bones need more than a capsule—prescription or otherwise. Current guidance emphasizes:
• Progressive resistance training at least twice weekly
• Weight-bearing activity such as brisk walking, dancing or stair climbing
• Safe impact exercise when appropriate
• Balance, posture and back-extensor training
• Adequate protein, calcium and vitamin D
• To***co avoidance, moderate alcohol use and fall prevention
Walking is helpful, but bones also appreciate being treated with kindness. If you already have osteoporosis, compression fractures or significant balance problems, have your exercise plan individualized before beginning jumping, heavy lifting or deep loaded spinal bending.
The best plan may include ancient wisdom, modern medicine and a pair of sensible walking shoes—not a contest among them.
Radiant Life Healthcare would be happy to review your bone-density results, medications, supplements, and exercise plan. Call 901-345-6700 for an appointment.
Picture credit: ChatGPT