Among the several natural supplements that are available, shilajit is one of the most popular ones. For thousands of years, shilajit has been used by local communities, and today it is widely embraced as a natural resin, seamlessly integrated into modern wellness routines. Besides other reasons why it is popular, the fact that it has 85+ minerals is one. Minerals that are beneficial to human physical and mental health, but does it have zinc, which is another very beneficial mineral?
Is there zinc in shilajit? The simple answer is yes, shilajit does have zinc in it, but it is not sufficient for the human body. If you are interested in knowing more about it, then make sure to explore this article, in which we will be uncovering zinc in shilajit along with the benefits of it.
What is Shilajit?
Over the years, several plants, when decomposed between the rocks in the Himalayas, have formed this superfood. Shilajit is a natural resin consisting of 85+ minerals and plenty of nutrients, as well as heavy metals and toxins, which are filtered, making it safe to consume.
Not all shilajit that is available is equal. Raw shilajit is really harmful to your body, as it has toxins and heavy metals. Purified and well-filtered shilajit is the only one that is safe and beneficial for you. Real shilajit has an earthy taste with the consistency of thick and sticky.
Does Shilajit Contain Zinc?
Is there zinc in shilajit? The answer to this is simply yes, it has, but the amount of zinc present is minimal. In case you want to substitute your zinc pill with shilajit, then do not do that because there is very little zinc in shilajit when compared to supplements.
Shilajit contains zinc, depending on where it has been harvested from, the process under which it is purified, and the general quality of the final product. Shilajit has a small part per million, also known as "ppm," level of zinc.
How Much Zinc Is Actually in Shilajit?
After knowing the answer to ‘Is there zinc in shilajit?’ Let’s understand how much zinc it has.
Shilajit has plenty of minerals, one of which is zinc. Different regions of shilajit have different quantities of zinc in them. According to the study by Al-Salman et al. (2020), Afghani shilajit contains 31.481 ± 0.022 ppm, while Pakistani shilajit contains 18.324 ± 0.020 ppm in one gram of shilajit. According to this study, Nepali shilajit, sourced from the high-altitude Himalayan and Everest regions, is also considered a rich source of trace minerals, including zinc, due to its unique geological formation and mineral-rich environment, although exact zinc levels may vary and are not yet widely documented in standardized studies.
Shilajit is not the only food that contains zinc, there are several other foods as well. Pumpkin seeds have zinc in them as well. They have around 91.2 ppm. Zinc found in pumpkin seeds is more than it is found in shilajit. Sausage is another food that has zinc in it. Fermented dried sausage has around 32.7mg/kg of zinc in it. It is less than the pumpkin seeds and almost the same amount as the shilajit.
If you are suffering from zinc deficiency, then you should turn towards zinc supplements, which have a much higher amount of zinc in them compared to other zinc-containing foods.
Why Zinc in Shilajit Still Matters
Zinc in shilajit is available in small quantities, but it is important, as it has many beneficial properties. A few of those properties, out of many, are as follows:
Zinc is an important component in shilajit, as it helps in healing skin as well as improving skin quality. It also helps boost the person's immunity by developing various immune cells. Zinc is known to improve reproductive health and testosterone levels as well.
Fulvic acid is one of the many minerals available in shilajit. Fulvic acid is a small and low-weight molecule, because of which it can travel deep into the tissues of the human body. It also binds all the minerals and transports them to the deeper tissues as well.
Zinc in shilajit is not sufficient for the daily dose of zinc, but because of other minerals in shilajit, it gets absorbed faster and gets deeper into the tissues.
The Real Power of Shilajit
Shilajit is accepted by many people in their lives today, but it has been consumed by the locals of the Himalayas for centuries. One of the reasons for its popularity is that it is beneficial for physical and mental health. Here are a few of the benefits of shilajit among many.
For cognitive health, fulvic acid, which is one of the main components in shilajit, helps in preventing tau buildup in the filament of the brain. Tau is the key factor causing Alzheimer's disease in people. Not only this, but it also helps in reducing anxiety and stress, which helps in increasing the focus of the person. It also has antioxidative properties, which help in protecting our brain from oxidative stress and potential damage that leads to improved memory.
Shilajit, in Asian countries, is known for its aphrodisiac properties, which help in male sexual dysfunction as well as increase serum testosterone levels and numbers in men and male rats. These are a few of the many benefits of shilajit.
Shilajit vs Zinc Supplements
Who Should Take Shilajit for Zinc Benefits?
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If you consume a low-mineral or a vegetarian-rich diet.
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It is beneficial for you if you experience fatigue or sluggishness.
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Have poor nutrient absorption from food.
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Want broad trace mineral support alongside zinc
Shilajit cannot be replaced with a zinc supplement, as it has a low level of zinc compared to the supplement.
Risks, Myths & Misconceptions
There are several myths and misconceptions believed by people related to shilajit. One of the many myths is ‘Shilajit is a zinc powerhouse’, it is actually a myth and not a reality. It is a trace mineral, but it is in low quantities and not a powerhouse. The actual powerhouse of zinc is pumpkin seed.
Shilajit is a safe and beneficial natural supplement, but it can turn risky very easily. If you consume shilajit in excessive amounts, then you can face some side effects. Consuming raw or poorly purified shilajit is risky to have, as it has high levels of heavy metals and toxins.
How to Use It
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Pure shilajit extract equivalent to 0.5 g, or a pea-sized amount, is the recommended amount for an adult to consume in a day.
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For the quick absorption of shilajit, you should have it on an empty stomach in the morning. But you can also have it at any time of the day.
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For shilajit resin and liquid, you can dissolve it in warm water or add it to your warm coffee. For the tablet form, have it with water.
How to Choose High-Quality Shilajit
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Well filtered and pure
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Third part tested
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Sourced from the Himalayan region
These three are the main factors that you should look for when buying shilajit. If you want to have pure shilajit, then make sure to consume shilajit resin, as it is the closest to the raw form, because supplements that are made with shilajit extract, like shilajit tablets, gummies, etc., are more processed and have preservatives.
Conclusion
Is there zinc in shilajit? Shilajit contains some amount of zinc, but the amount is small. Those with a deficiency in zinc are encouraged to keep taking the zinc supplement, and they should not change the supplement to shilajit. Shilajit contains low zinc, yet there are other advantages of shilajit that are very powerful.
People have been consuming shilajit for centuries because it is really beneficial for the physical and mental health of people. Try consuming the finest Himalaya shilajit for its benefits. Don’t have it in large quantities, but use moderation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Shilajit have enough zinc daily?
No, the zinc level in shilajit is low, not enough for a daily dose.
Can it replace zinc supplements?
No, the zinc supplement has a higher zinc level than the shilajit, so it cannot replace the zinc supplement.
How long does it take to work?
Shilajit takes around 2 to 3 weeks to show noticeable changes.
Reference
Al-Salman, F., Ali Redha, A., & Al-Zaimoor, Z. (2020). Inorganic analysis and antioxidant activity of shilajit. International Journal of Scientific Research in Chemical Sciences, 7(3), 5–10.
Ovca, A., van Elteren, J. T., Falnoga, I., & Šelih, V. S. (2011). Speciation of zinc in pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo) and degradation of its species in the human digestive tract. Food Chemistry, 128(4), 839–846.
Djinovic-Stojanovic, J. M., Nikolic, D. M., Vranic, D. V., Babic, J. A., Milijasevic, M. P., Pezo, L. L., & Jankovic, S. D. (2017). Zinc and magnesium in different types of meat and meat products from the Serbian market. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 59, 50–54.
Iqubal, A., Rehman, S. A., Ahmad, F., Mahajan, A., Bedi, B. D. S., Singh, T., & Qadir, A. (2025). Shilajit for female health: An evidence-based review. International Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine, 15(4), 5043–5052.
Devarshi, P. P., Mao, Q., Grant, R. W., & Hazels Mitmesser, S. (2024). Comparative absorption and bioavailability of various chemical forms of zinc in humans: A narrative review. Nutrients, 16(24), 4269.
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.
