Key Takeaway
Eight weeks of shilajit supplementation significantly increased serum Pro-C1alpha1, a biomarker of type 1 collagen synthesis, suggesting shilajit may support connective tissue health.
Summary
This randomized controlled trial examined whether 8 weeks of daily shilajit supplementation could influence type 1 collagen synthesis in healthy adults. Collagen is a critical structural protein in bones, tendons, ligaments, and skin, and its synthesis declines with age.
Participants receiving shilajit showed significantly elevated serum levels of Pro-C1alpha1, a validated biomarker that reflects new type 1 collagen formation. The placebo group showed no meaningful change in this marker over the same period.
These results provide early evidence that shilajit may promote connective tissue repair and maintenance by upregulating collagen synthesis. Type 1 collagen is the most abundant collagen in the human body, so increased production could benefit joint health, bone strength, and skin integrity. Further research is needed to determine whether these biomarker changes translate into measurable clinical improvements in tissue health.