"84+ trace minerals" is one of the most repeated claims in shilajit marketing. It appears on product pages, in Amazon listings, and across supplement comparison sites β almost always without a single data point to support it. No ppm values. No lab name. No methodology. Just a number large enough to sound impressive.
The claim isn't necessarily false β shilajit does form in mineral-rich geological environments and almost certainly contains a wide spectrum of elements. The problem is that "contains" and "documented by an accredited lab" are very different things. A supplement brand can print any number on a label without a Certificate of Analysis to back it up.
One brand β Pure Himalayan Shilajit β has published a comprehensive mineral panel using ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) and ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry) through Micro Quality Labs, Burbank CA, an A2LA ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory. The result is the most detailed publicly available quantified mineral analysis in the shilajit market. This post presents that data in full and explains what it means.
The Most Comprehensive Shilajit Mineral Panel Published
All data below is from Pure Himalayan Shilajit's Batch RE18 Certificate of Analysis, issued April 2021 by Micro Quality Labs, Burbank CA (A2LA ISO/IEC 17025 accredited, Cert 3034.01). Analysis methods: ICP-MS and ICP-OES. All concentrations are reported in parts per million (ppm), equivalent to milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg).
Macro Minerals
| Mineral | Concentration (ppm) | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium (K) | 91,850 | Most abundant mineral β essential electrolyte for muscle and nerve function |
| Calcium (Ca) | 24,525 | Bone structure, muscle contraction, nerve signaling |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 9,841 | Energy metabolism, protein synthesis, sleep regulation |
| Sodium (Na) | 6,200 | Electrolyte balance, fluid regulation |
| Phosphorus (P) | 2,348 | ATP energy production, bone mineralization |
Trace Minerals
| Mineral | Concentration (ppm) | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | 1,040 | Oxygen transport via hemoglobin; energy production |
| Silicon (Si) | 796 | Connective tissue integrity, collagen synthesis |
| Zinc (Zn) | 490 | Immune function, testosterone synthesis, wound healing |
| Boron (B) | 293 | Bone health, testosterone metabolism |
| Manganese (Mn) | 86 | Antioxidant enzyme (SOD) cofactor, carbohydrate metabolism |
| Copper (Cu) | 6.5 | Iron metabolism, collagen formation, antioxidant enzymes |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1.9 | Enzyme cofactor for sulfite and purine metabolism |
| Chromium (Cr) | 1.5 | Insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism |
| Iodine (I) | 2.4 | Thyroid hormone synthesis |
| Cobalt (Co) | 0.8 | Component of Vitamin B12 |
| Selenium (Se) | 0.1 | Antioxidant defense (glutathione peroxidase), thyroid function |
Heavy Metals β All Within Safe Limits
Same Batch RE18 panel Β· Same lab Β· Included here for full transparency
| Metal | Measured (ppm) | FDA Limit | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (Pb) | 0.9 | <10 ppm | Pass |
| Arsenic (As) | 0.6 | <15 ppm | Pass |
| Cadmium (Cd) | 0.1 | <5 ppm | Pass |
| Mercury (Hg) | 0.0 | <3 ppm | ND |
What Do These Minerals Actually Do?
The minerals in shilajit are not unique β they are the same elements found in food, water, and soil. What makes shilajit notable is the concentration and co-occurrence of these minerals in a single source alongside fulvic acid, which plays a key role in how minerals are absorbed (more on that in Section 5). Here is what the major documented minerals contribute:
Potassium β 91,850 ppm
The most abundant mineral in this panel by a wide margin. Potassium is a primary electrolyte essential for maintaining fluid balance, transmitting nerve impulses, and enabling muscle contraction β including cardiac muscle. Dietary potassium deficiency is associated with muscle cramps, fatigue, and elevated blood pressure. At standard shilajit serving sizes, potassium from shilajit contributes meaningfully but does not replace dietary sources.
Magnesium β 9,841 ppm
Magnesium is a cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions. It plays a central role in ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production β the cellular energy currency β making it particularly relevant for the energy and performance claims associated with shilajit. Magnesium is also involved in protein synthesis, blood glucose regulation, and sleep quality. Many adults in Western populations are chronically low in dietary magnesium.
Zinc β 490 ppm
Zinc is essential for immune function, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and the activity of over 100 enzymes. It also plays a direct role in testosterone biosynthesis β relevant to shilajit's documented effects on testosterone in the 2010 Andrologia study. Zinc deficiency is associated with reduced testosterone levels, immune suppression, and impaired wound healing.
Iron β 1,040 ppm
Iron is required for hemoglobin synthesis, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues. Adequate iron supports energy levels, aerobic capacity, and cognitive function. Shilajit's iron content is notable β and potentially relevant for individuals with sub-optimal iron intake. However, individuals with hemochromatosis or iron overload conditions should be cautious, as shilajit may increase iron absorption.
Selenium β 0.1 ppm
Selenium is an essential trace element and a component of selenoproteins, including glutathione peroxidase β the body's primary cellular antioxidant enzyme. It also plays a role in thyroid hormone metabolism and DNA synthesis. While the concentration in shilajit is low (0.1 ppm), selenium has a narrow therapeutic window β small amounts are essential, excess is toxic.
Iodine β 2.4 ppm
Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which regulate metabolism, growth, and development. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of preventable thyroid disease globally. Its presence in the mineral panel is notable β though at standard shilajit serving sizes, iodine contribution is supplementary rather than primary.
Boron β 293 ppm
Boron is not officially classified as an essential mineral, but emerging research supports its role in bone health, hormone metabolism, and anti-inflammatory pathways. Boron has been studied for its ability to increase free testosterone by reducing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). At 293 ppm, it is among the more concentrated trace minerals in this panel.
How Does This Compare to Other Shilajit Brands?
The honest answer is: we don't know for other brands, because no equivalent data exists in the public domain. This is the core problem with the "84+ trace minerals" claim that proliferates across the shilajit market β it cannot be evaluated without published, quantified, lab-verified data.
| Brand | Mineral Claim | Quantified Panel | Named Accredited Lab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Himalayan ShilajitOnly published panel | 20+ minerals documented | Yes β ICP-MS + ICP-OES | Yes β Micro Quality Labs (A2LA ISO 17025) |
| Black Lotus Shilajit | 84+ minerals (marketing) | Not publicly published | IAS Labs (heavy metals + fulvic acid COA) |
| Natural Shilajit | 84+ minerals (marketing) | Not publicly published | DaaneLabs + Harken Research (heavy metals + microbiology) |
| Generic Amazon brands | 84+ minerals (label) | No | No named lab |
It is important to note that absence of a published mineral panel does not mean a brand's shilajit has fewer minerals. Black Lotus and Natural Shilajit both publish rigorous COA data for heavy metals, fulvic acid, and microbiology β they simply have not published a full mineral concentration panel. Shilajit formed in the Altai Mountains of Siberia (where both brands source) almost certainly contains a similarly rich mineral spectrum; the geological formation process is the same.
What Pure Himalayan's panel provides that no other brand currently matches is a quantified, independently verified baseline. It makes "shilajit contains minerals" a documented fact rather than a marketing claim. For buyers who want the full picture from a lab, this is currently the only option.
Why Fulvic Acid Matters for Mineral Absorption
A list of minerals is only half the story. The reason shilajit's mineral content is considered more bioavailable than most mineral supplements is fulvic acid β the primary active compound in shilajit.
How Fulvic Acid Transports Minerals
Fulvic acid is a naturally occurring organic acid with a low molecular weight and a high density of reactive functional groups. These chemical properties allow it to bind to mineral ions β forming fulvic acidβmineral complexes that are significantly more membrane-permeable than inorganic mineral salts. In practical terms, this means minerals bound to fulvic acid can cross cell membranes more readily than the same minerals in a standard supplement.
This is not a marketing claim β it is established chemistry. Fulvic acid's role as a natural chelating agent and mineral transporter has been documented in agricultural and soil science research for decades, and the same mechanisms apply in biological systems.
The implication for shilajit buyers is this: a product with high mineral content but low or unverified fulvic acid percentage may deliver less bioavailable minerals per dose than a product with lower mineral density but high verified fulvic acid. Mineral content and fulvic acid together tell the full story. Neither metric alone is sufficient.
Where to Get Shilajit With a Published Mineral Panel
If the published mineral data above is relevant to your purchasing decision, Pure Himalayan Shilajit is currently the only brand with a publicly available, fully quantified mineral panel from a named A2LA accredited laboratory. Black Lotus and Natural Shilajit are both S-tier brands with rigorous heavy metals and fulvic acid documentation β excellent options if mineral-panel documentation is not your primary selection criterion.
- βICP-MS + ICP-OES mineral panel β Micro Quality Labs (A2LA ISO/IEC 17025)
- β20+ minerals quantified: Potassium 91,850 ppm Β· Magnesium 9,841 ppm Β· Zinc 490 ppm
- βA2LA ISO/IEC 17025 accredited heavy metals testing (Certified Laboratories, Burbank CA)
- βMultiple product forms: resin, soft resin, tablets, drops
Affiliate link β commission at no extra cost to you
- βHighest verified fulvic acid β 64.51% resin, 74.30% caps (Batch 93 COA)
- βIAS Laboratories, Phoenix AZ β full heavy metals + fulvic acid panel
- β$1.23/g Β· Free shipping
Affiliate link β commission at no extra cost
- βICP-MS + LC-MS + FTIR triple-method testing
- βDaaneLabs + Harken Research β full heavy metals + microbiology panel
- βDBP (dibenzo-Ξ±-pyrones) verified
Affiliate link β commission at no extra cost
ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab testing Β· Up to 99.9% pure Β· Himalayan & Altai Mountains source Β· No fillers β a top-tier resin with exceptional purity verification.
- ISO/IEC 17025 accredited third-party lab testing
- Up to 99.9% pure shilajit β among the highest verified purity
- Sourced from Himalayan & Altai Mountains above 14,000 ft
- No fillers, binders, or additives β 100% pure resin
- Full heavy metals panel included with every batch
- Money-back guarantee + free shipping on orders $45+
Affiliate link β we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you
Frequently asked questions
What minerals are in shilajit?
Shilajit contains a broad spectrum of macro and trace minerals formed through centuries of geological compression of organic matter in high-altitude mountain environments. A published ICP-MS and ICP-OES panel from Micro Quality Labs (A2LA ISO/IEC 17025 accredited) for Pure Himalayan Shilajit Batch RE18 documented: Potassium 91,850 ppm, Calcium 24,525 ppm, Magnesium 9,841 ppm, Sodium 6,200 ppm, Phosphorus 2,348 ppm, Iron 1,040 ppm, Silicon 796 ppm, Zinc 490 ppm, Boron 293 ppm, Manganese 86 ppm, Chromium 1.5 ppm, Molybdenum 1.9 ppm, Copper 6.5 ppm, Iodine 2.4 ppm, Cobalt 0.8 ppm, and Selenium 0.1 ppm, among others. Heavy metals (Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury) were all within safe limits.
How many trace minerals does shilajit contain?
Many shilajit brands claim '84+ trace minerals' in their marketing, but this figure is rarely backed by published quantified lab data. The most comprehensive publicly available mineral analysis for shilajit comes from Pure Himalayan Shilajit's Batch RE18 COA (Micro Quality Labs, A2LA ISO/IEC 17025), which documents 20+ minerals by name and concentration using ICP-MS and ICP-OES methodology. The '84+ minerals' claim may reflect the theoretical mineral richness of shilajit's source environment, but without a named accredited lab and specific ppm values, it cannot be independently verified.
Which shilajit brand has the most documented mineral content?
Pure Himalayan Shilajit is currently the only brand in our database with a publicly available, fully quantified mineral panel from a named A2LA ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory (Micro Quality Labs, Burbank CA). Their Batch RE18 COA documents 20+ minerals by concentration using ICP-MS and ICP-OES. Other brands may have similar mineral profiles given the geological origins of shilajit, but without equivalent publicly published data from a named accredited lab, those profiles cannot be independently verified.
Does shilajit contain potassium?
Yes β potassium is the most abundant mineral in shilajit by concentration. Pure Himalayan Shilajit's published ICP-MS panel (Batch RE18, Micro Quality Labs) shows potassium at 91,850 ppm β nearly four times higher than the next most concentrated mineral, calcium (24,525 ppm). Potassium is an essential electrolyte involved in muscle function, nerve signaling, and fluid balance. At standard shilajit serving sizes (200β500mg), the amount of potassium delivered per dose is meaningful but not a substitute for dietary potassium intake.
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Adrian Voss is the founder of ShilajitPrice.com and a trained anthropologist with a focus on Cultural Anthropology and traditional medicine practices across the Carribbean, Central Asia and the Himalayas. He first encountered shilajit through his research studying traditional healing systems and Eastern Religion and has used it personally for over six years. Frustrated by the lack of transparent, data-driven information in the Western supplement market, he built ShilajitPrice.com to bring the same rigorous standards of research he applies in academic work to consumer supplement buying β starting with verified lab data, honest sourcing claims, and real price transparency.