The Shilajit Deception: Why High Fulvic Acid Is a Red Flag — Sometimes

Shilajit, the revered mineral pitch exuding from rocks in the Himalayas and other high-altitude ranges, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It is said to carry the “essence of the mountains” — a potent, naturally balanced, adaptogenic substance used for vitality, cognitive clarity, and cellular health.

But in recent years, a wave of adulterated, artificially concentrated Shilajit products has flooded the global market. These “supercharged” formulas flaunt fulvic acid contents of 80%+, as if higher numbers inherently mean higher quality.

They don’t — at least, not in most cases.

This blog aims to blow the lid off one of the most misleading trends in the modern supplement industry: the commodification and distortion of Shilajit, driven by pseudoscience, profit motives, and a disregard for the complex biochemistry that makes true Shilajit what it is.

Let’s get to the truth.

What Is Shilajit, Really?

Shilajit is not a single compound. It is a complex phytochemical-mineral matrix, formed over centuries by the microbial decomposition of plant matter (primarily from resinous species like Euphorbia and Trifolium) under geological pressure in high-altitude rock crevices.

Its active constituents include:

• Fulvic acid (low molecular weight, water-soluble)
  
• Humic acid (larger molecular weight, less soluble)
  
• Dibenzo-alpha-pyrones (DBPs) – lipid-soluble mitochondrial regulators
  
• Trace minerals (Fe, Mg, Zn, Se, etc.)
  
• Amino acids
  
• Phenolic compounds
  
• Plant sterols and fatty acids
  

The beauty of Shilajit lies in synergy, not isolation. Fulvic acid, while valuable, is only one component in a broader, dynamic system.

What Is Fulvic Acid and Why Does It Matter?

Fulvic acid is a naturally occurring organic acid found in soil, peat, and humic substances. It is:

• Water-soluble at all pH levels
  
• A transporter for minerals across cell membranes
  
• A chelator, antioxidant, and metabolic facilitator
  

In Shilajit, it plays a key role in nutrient delivery, detoxification, and bioavailability. But fulvic acid alone is not Shilajit, nor can it replicate Shilajit’s full spectrum of benefits when isolated.

What Is the Natural Range of Fulvic Acid in Shilajit?

In traditionally harvested, full-spectrum Shilajit resins (purified without solvents or industrial concentration), fulvic acid levels can vary widely depending on their geographical origin and mineral composition.

• Many mountain-sourced resins — especially those from Kashmir, Nepal, and the Altai ranges — contain 15–30% fulvic acid in their raw or lightly purified state.
  
• Other rare deposits — such as those found in the Karakoram and Mongolian Altai ranges — yield naturally higher fulvic concentrations, often in the 40–60% range, especially when purified with water-only techniques that concentrate without fractionating or isolating.
  

Much of the confusion surrounding fulvic acid percentages stems from a widespread misinterpretation of foundational research. A commonly cited figure from Ghosal et al. (1991) states that Shilajit humus consists of “60–80% organic matter” — a reference to the totality of humic substances, not to fulvic acid alone. Yet this distinction is routinely overlooked. For instance, a 2012 review by Carrasco-Gallardo et al. inaccurately states, “Shilajit is composed mainly of humic substances, including fulvic acid, that account for around 60% to 80% of the total nutraceutical compound,” subtly implying that fulvic acid makes up this entire range. In truth, Ghosal’s data show fulvic acid levels ranging from 6.2% to 21.4%, with the remainder of the organic content composed of humic acid, DBPs, and other compounds. Misconstruing total humic content as fulvic acid is not just scientifically inaccurate — it’s a loophole that has allowed many brands to push unrealistic and misleading numbers.

What matters more than a number is the integrity of the matrix. Real Shilajit is not an isolate or extract — it’s a complex blend of fulvic acid, humic acid, DBPs, minerals, and organic cofactors. Strip away any part of that, and you lose what makes it effective.

Are All High-Fulvic Shilajits Fake?

Not all — but most are.

The overwhelming majority of products claiming 60-80% fulvic acid achieve this through:

1. Chemical extraction from peat or lignite
   
2. Spray drying of aqueous extracts
   
3. Blending fulvic acid isolates into weak Shilajit bases
   

These methods strip the resin of its humic acid, DBPs, enzymes, and minerals, leaving behind an imbalanced product masquerading as Shilajit.

At One Life, we source four genuine Shilajit resins, all purified using low-temperature, solvent-free water extraction:

• Hunza (Karakoram, ~64% fulvic / ~1% humic) – Our highest-fulvic resin: fast-absorbing, light in minerals and humic content, ideal for those seeking clean cellular activation and nutrient transport.
  
• Mongolian Altai (~55% fulvic / ~16% humic) – A highly balanced profile with both bioavailable fulvic and substantial humic content. Rich in DBPs, making it excellent for mitochondrial and cognitive support.
  
• Kashmiri (Pir Panjal, ~45% fulvic / ~19% humic) – Mineral-dense and humic-heavy. Deep, grounding, and supportive for detox pathways and gut health. A classic Ayurvedic-style Shilajit.
  
• Siberian Altai (~45% fulvic / ~5.5% humic) – Earthy and stable. Lower in humic than the Kashmiri or Mongolian resins, but offers a broad trace mineral spectrum and a grounding feel.
  

Each is a reflection of its mountain origin — no fillers, no isolates, no shortcuts. Just pure, full-spectrum Shilajit in its naturally potent form.

How Do Manufacturers Artificially Raise Fulvic Acid Levels?

Here’s where the deception starts.

1. Industrial Extraction from Peat or Coal

• Fulvic acid is extracted using strong alkalis or acids
  
• Often derived from decaying soil matter, not mountain biomass
  
• Contains no DBPs and questionable mineral content
  

2. Spray Drying

• Concentrates the smallest, most soluble molecules like fulvic acid
  
• Destroys larger compounds like humic acid and DBPs
  

3. Adulteration & Blending

• Spiking weak Shilajit with industrial fulvic acid isolates
  
• Adding fillers or colorants to imitate true resin
  

These are not purification techniques — they are manufacturing tricks to inflate numbers and cut costs.

Why This Matters: What You Lose in the Process

1. Humic Acid Deficiency

• Humic acid binds toxins, supports gut flora, and buffers fulvic activity
  

2. No Dibenzo-Alpha-Pyrones (DBPs)

• Essential mitochondrial regulators absent in fulvic-only products
  

3. Mineral Depletion

• Fulvic acid can’t transport minerals if they’re not there to begin with
  

4. Health Risks

• Over-concentrated fulvic acid may act as a pro-oxidant
  
• Potential to overstimulate detox pathways or disrupt microbiota
  

How to Spot Real vs. Fake Shilajit

Feature	Authentic Shilajit	Adulterated “High Fulvic” Product
Form	Resin - viscous sticky paste (varies with source and temp)	Powder, isolate, or resin with unnatural texture
Fulvic Acid	15–30% (common); 40–60% (in rare natural cases)	60–80% (usually from isolates)
Humic Acid	Present in varying ratios	Often absent
DBPs	Present	Absent
Source	Altai, Karakoram, Himalayas	Peat, soil, or unknown origin
Processing	Water extraction, low-heat extraction or a combination of sun-drying and gentle heating	Chemical solvents, spray drying
Lab Testing	Full-spectrum with trace minerals	Fulvic acid percentage only

Why the Industry Pushes This Lie

Because it’s profitable.

Fulvic acid powders are cheap to produce, easy to spike into formulas, and simple to market. They allow companies to standardise flashy numbers, cut corners on sourcing, and increase profit margins — all under the illusion of natural wellness.

But Shilajit was never about numbers. It’s about complexity, context, and biochemical intelligence forged over centuries in the mountains — not in factories.

The Bottom Line

High fulvic acid alone doesn't make a good Shilajit.

Authentic Shilajit is about balance, origin, and integrity — not isolated percentages. At One Life, we offer four unadulterated, lab-tested resins, each true to its geological source. Whether you prefer the clean potency of Hunza, the grounding depth of the Altai, or the mineral richness of Kashmir, one thing stays the same:

No fillers. No fraud. No shortcuts.