Shilajit is a natural herbomineral substance that has plenty of minerals and nutrients in it. Those nutrients and minerals help boost energy and stamina in the person’s body who has consumed it. Because of its several benefits, it has gained popularity among fitness enthusiasts. This has raised a question in the heads of many individuals: Is shilajit a steroid?
Many wonder about this, and the straightforward answer to this is no, shilajit is not a steroid. If you are keen to know more, then make sure you read this blog. We will be covering the differences between shilajit and steroids, along with answering your question in detail.
Formation of Shilajit
Shilajit is a famous and well-known natural supplement, it is also known as the “Destroyer of the Weakness”. It is a natural resin that forms when plants decompose between the rocks over the years. When the rocks are heated by the sun, the decomposed matter then seeps out. This resin has 85+ minerals in it along with heavy metals and toxins, because of which eating raw shilajit is not recommended.
Shilajit has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, along with an antistress nutrient. This makes shilajit really beneficial for the human mind and body. It is a natural substance with an earthy taste, thick and sticky consistency. But shilajit harvested from different regions has slightly different tastes and consistencies.
What is a Steroid?
A steroid is a hormone that is produced by the body using cholesterol. This is known as the natural steroid. There are synthetic steroids as well, which are laboratory-produced and mimic the actual hormones.
Natural Steroid
Natural steroids are the hormones that are produced by the human body itself. Using the cholesterol. This hormone is a four-ring organic molecule that has a different role in various cellular organisms. Adrenal glands, the ovaries in females, and the testes in males are where it is produced in the human body.
Synthetic Steroid
Synthetic steroids are designed to mimic the real hormones of the body and replace them. They are lab produced hormones. There are two types of synthetic steroids, which are anabolic steroids and corticosteroids. Both of these work slightly differently. Anabolic steroids are used mostly by bodybuilders to grow muscles, on the other hand, corticosteroids are another type that is used in medicine.
Difference between Shilajit and Steroid
Is Shilajit a Steroid?
The short answer to it is No, shilajit is not a steroid. Shilajit is the resin that is formed when plants are decomposed for years, and steroids are the hormones that are present inside the body or are lab-produced. They are extremely different, and both of them are linked to the improvement of energy production and strength, and testosterone levels are increased.
Shilajit contains steroids that are of plant origin, but the amount is very small. The shilajit steroid is not an anabolic steroid that builds body muscles, but an anti-inflammatory steroid. Moreover, they do not bind to androgen receptors, do not get artificially spiked with testosterone, and do not tweak gene expression to do so as synthetic steroids.
Shilajit contains steroids, however, this does not make it a steroid. Broccoli, too, has traces of steroids, but it is not a steroid, and the same happens to be the case with shilajit.
The Benefits of Shilajit
Shilajit is a natural supplement that is really beneficial for the human body. Here are some of its many benefits:
1. Improving Sperm Quality
Shilajit is a natural supplement that is known to enhance spermatogenesis. Not only this, but it also helps in reducing oxidative stress because it has antioxidant properties. It increases testosterone levels, along with the essential minerals that are needed to improve the sperm count, motility, and quantity.
2. Increase Testosterone level
According to the study published in Andrologia, shilajit helps in increasing the testosterone level in men. The testosterone level was increased by 20.45% and DHEA-S by 31.35% in the participants who were given shilajit for 90 days.
3. Increase Energy
Fulvic acid, which is present in shilajit, is a light and small molecule that can travel deep into the tissue of the human body. That molecule binds and carries the nutrients with it, which helps in reducing tiredness, lethargy, and chronic fatigue when consumed.
Risk and Safety consumption
Raw or poorly filtered shilajit is harmful to the human body, as it contains heavy metals and toxins. During the filtration process, the heavy metals and toxins are extracted. Well-purified and the finest shilajit should be consumed to get the best results. Before buying shilajit, remember to verify the following things:
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Third-party laboratory test
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The purity of the shilajit
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The source should be verified
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To get the best outcome, Himalayan shilajit should be consumed.
Consuming Shilajit Safely
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Consume 0.5 g, which is a pea-sized amount of shilajit that is equivalent to pure shilajit extract.
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Consuming shilajit in excess of the recommended dose can result in suffering from it and several side effects.
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Shilajit is not recommended to consume for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children.
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If you are on medication, then it will be better to consult a doctor before consuming shilajit, as it can have a reaction to your medication.
Conclusion
Is shilajit a steroid? No, it is not. A low quantity of steroids is present in shilajit, but that does not make shilajit a steroid. Both of the substances are linked with enhanced energy levels and strength and increase the level of testosterone, nevertheless, they are entirely different from each other. Shilajit has more benefits than that, it is really beneficial for the human body and mind.
If you are looking for a natural supplement that helps your body grow stronger, then shilajit is the one choice. But remember to have shilajit that is pure, authentic shilajit, Himalayan-sourced, and well-filtered only.
FAQs
Is shilajit a steroid?
No, shilajit is not a steroid. It is a natural resin that supports overall health and energy.
Does shilajit contain steroids?
Shilajit contains trace natural compounds, but not anabolic steroids.
How is shilajit different from steroids?
Shilajit supports natural body functions, while steroids alter or replace hormones.
Can shilajit increase testosterone levels?
Yes, it may help boost testosterone naturally over time.
Is shilajit safe to consume daily?
Yes, if it is purified and taken in the recommended dose.
Reference
Meena, H., Pandey, H. K., Arya, M. C., & Ahmed, Z. (2010). Shilajit: A panacea for high-altitude problems. International Journal of Ayurveda Research, 1(1), 37–41.
Stohs, S. J., Singh, K., Das, A., Roy, S., & Sen, C. K. (2017). Energy and health benefits of Shilajit. In D. Bagchi (Ed.), Sustained energy for enhanced human functions and activity (pp. 187–204). Elsevier.
Pandit, S., Biswas, S., Jana, U., De, R.K., Mukhopadhyay, S.C. and Biswas, T.K. (2016), Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia, 48: 570-575.
Cole, T. J., Short, K. L., & Hooper, S. B. (2019). The science of steroids. Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, 24(3), 170–175.
Vanukuru, N. V. L. S. R., Mudunuri, G. R., & Malkapuram, M. (2023). Antiurolithiasis, anti-inflammatory and in silico docking studies of Karpura Shilajit. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology, 22(2), 87–98.
Written By:
Everest Shilajit is a premium wellness brand founded by Pragya Mahara, offering authentic Himalayan Shilajit resin sourced at high altitudes. With over a decade of global business experience, Everest Shilajit blends ancient Ayurvedic tradition with modern quality standards to deliver pure, lab-tested Shilajit worldwide.
Authentic Shilajit sourced from the Himalayas of Nepal
Disclaimer
The content provided in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
