Shilajit vs Sea Moss: Detailed Comparison Here

By Rahul Sharma | Updated on August 6, 2023
Facts checked by editors at Shilajit Resin
Table of Contents

For the past few years or so, Sea Moss and Shilajit have been taking the world by storm. Both of them promise a wide variety of health benefits ranging from better skin health, a strong immune system, and exceptional sexual health.

Though both of them are beneficial, many people are often confused about which to choose. Let’s discuss here today what’s the main difference between Shilajit and Sea Moss and determine which one is better for you.

What is Sea Moss?

Sea Moss is a type of algae that is primarily found on the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. It generally forms in the rocky coastal parts of the Atlantic Ocean. They typically grow around inlets and tidepools.

It is also found in other parts of the world’s oceans, however, Sea Moss from the Atlantic is considered the best. For the aficionados out there, the scientific name for Sea Moss is Chondrus Crispus.

It resembles various other forms of sea plants like seaweed, algae, or even leafy sea vegetables like kelp or dulse. Nevertheless, the only difference between them and Sea Moss is that it is also available in a variety of colors including green, yellow, purple, red, brown, and black. Out of these, you will mostly find red-colored ones also known as Irish Moss.

Sea Moss Contains Minerals and Vitamins

According to sources, Sea Moss is rich in a number of vitamins and minerals. Moreover, it contains an extremely low amount of fat, calories, and sugar, in addition to having a small amount of protein.

A 20 gm or 4-tablespoon dosage of Sea Moss contains:

  • Protein: 0.5 grams
  • Total Carbs: 3 grams
  • Calories: 10
  • Total Fat: 0 grams
  • Fiber: 0.5 grams
  • Total Sugar: 0 grams
  • Calcium: 1% of Daily Value
  • Zinc: 4% of Daily Value
  • Copper: 3% of Daily Value
  • Magnesium: 7% of Daily Value
  • Iron: 10% of DV
  • Phosphorus: 2% of DV

Apart from all these, Sea is also a rich source of iodine, an essential micronutrient for thyroid health. Moreover, it is also packed with anti-oxidant which scavenges free radicals inside your body, decreasing the risk of cancer.

Potential Health Benefits of Sea Moss

Nowadays a lot of people have started taking Sea Moss, due to all the health benefits it promises. However, one thing we have to take into consideration is that many of the claimed positive effects are anecdotal and lack scientific research.

Though there hasn’t been much research done on sea moss, there has been an ample amount of research done on the advantages of taking seaweed or algae, and as all of them grow in a similar environment, Sea Moss does share some of the health benefits.

Some of the possible health benefits of Sea Moss include:

  • Supporting Thyroid Health: Due to their richness in iodine, Sea Moss may help in maintaining a healthy thyroid function.
  • May Boost Immunity: A study done on Salmon found regular Seam Moss to be a big immunity booster. It improved both immune modulation and immune response of the Salmom, but we definitely need more studies done on humans to be sure if it will also boost our immune system.
  • Gut Health Enhancement: They are rich in live bacteria which directly enhances the healthy gut microbiome.
  • Healthy Heart: A couple of studies have mentioned that seaweed reduces LDL, which is bad cholesterol. In addition, Sea moss also serves as a natural blood thinner which reduces the risk of heart disease.
  • Blood Sugar Management: A compound called fucoxanthin is found in seaweed which reduces high blood sugar. Similarly, seaweed also contains alginate that helps in preventing sugar spikes in pigs.

What is Shilajit?

Shilajit is a black tar-like sticky substance found only in high altitudes, from the Himalayas to all the way to the Altai Mountain range in Europe. Shilajit is formed after hundreds of years of decomposition of plant matter. Its name is inspired by a Sanskrit word that means, ‘the destroyer of weakness.’

Though Shilajit has just recently taken over the world of natural healing, it has been used for hundreds of years by the local indigenous people living at high altitudes. Moreover, Shilajit was a staple in the ancient alternative medicine system, Ayurveda that prevailed in the Indian subcontinent.

For the past few years, many social media influencers, and fitness and health experts are preaching Shilajit for all the wonderful benefits it possesses.

What Makes Shilajit So Potent?

Our body is made up of minerals and in order to feel replenished we need to have minerals. However, in today’s diet, we lack such minerals and this is where Shilajit comes in. It is packed with trace minerals, approximately 15-20%, that revitalize our bodies.

Some of the minerals found in this ancient herbomineral are as follows:

  • Fulvic and Humic Acid
  • Iron
  • Zinc
  • Magnesium
  • Copper
  • Nickel
  • Potassium
  • Manganese
  • Silicon
  • Silver
  • Sodium
  • Sulfur
  • Iodine

Additionally, Shilajit is 60% to 80% Humic Acid, which are essential to transfer minerals into cells. The main purpose of Fulvic acid is to carry essential vitamins and nutrients throughout the body.

Benefits of Shilajit

There are many benefits of this diet supplement and some of them are listed below:

1) Good for the Stomach

Shilajit has such properties that make it beneficial for your stomach health. A study concluded that humic acid, which Shilajit is loaded with, increases the number of bacteria inside your stomach. These bacteria, as you may or may not know, are essential for the proper functioning of your digestive system.

Shilajit contains all the necessary enzymes and nutrients required for proper gut functioning. Moreover, its Antiulcer property helps fight against peptic ulcers by balancing out the peptic acid inside your belly.

2) For Body Building

If you are into bodybuilding, either for recreation or as a passion, you will definitely love Shilajit. During the workout, you need a copious amount of stamina. It is the duty of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) to maintain your stamina whilst you are doing a physical workout. In order to have more RBCs our body needs iron and Shilajit is rich in iron.

3) Skin Health

Shilajit is packed with Anti-Oxidant which means it is a natural anti-aging agent. Moreover, it is rich in a number of Vitamins including B, C, and K, which helps in healthy and glowing skin.

Further, Shilajit contains a lot of trace minerals which are actually beneficial for our skin including Zinc, Sulfur, Manganese, and Iron.

4) Increase in Testosterone

A study done on adult males showed that after taking 250 gm of Shilajit twice daily for 90 days, the men showed a 20% increase in total testosterone level and a 19% increase in free testosterone level.

From the study, it is evident that Shilajit does increase testosterone.

Are There Any Similarities Between Sea Moss and Shilajit?

Though both of them are formed in different habitats altogether, they do share a few similarities.

i) All-Natural Properties: Seamoss and Shilajit, both have been in practice for thousands of years making them an alternate source of medicine.

ii) Nutrient Rich: They are both packed with essential minerals, vitamins, and most importantly antioxidant which is essential for your overall health.

iii) Strengthens Immunity System: As we have already discussed above, Shilajit and Sea Moss together increase the efficacy of the immunity system.

Sea Moss vs Shilajit: Which One Should You Prefer?

Choosing either one of them is a matter of preference. As Seamoss and Shilajit are two different substances, their end result will definitely vary. We will lay out a couple of factors that might help you choose.

Why Should You Take Sea Moss?

Sea Moss contains a lot of nutrients which gives a number of benefits. It is beneficial for those who are looking for:

a) Support Thyroid Health: Seamoss contains iodine which may help improve thyroid function.

b) Promoting Heart Health: A couple of studies mentioned that Sea Moss lowers LDL, which is bad cholesterol. Furthermore, it also works as a blood thinner, that helps in reducing the risk of heart disease.

c) Better Management of Blood Circulation: A study concluded that Sea Moss contains fucoxanthin which has proven to result in reducing high blood sugar levels.

Why Should You Take Shilajit?

Shilajit is known as the ‘conqueror of weakness.’ Here are some of the reasons you should take Shilajit:

a) Enhanced Energy Levels: As the name suggests when you take Shilajit daily, it will dramatically increase your overall energy resulting in more power throughout the day.

b) Improve Sexual Health: Shilajit has been proven to increase the Testosterone level in males which directly more sexual energy.

c) Better Gut Health: Your gut bacteria is quite essential for proper digestion, however, modern-day lifestyles have done more harm than good to our gut bacteria. A study has revealed that Shilajit, which is loaded with Humic acid, increases the essential gut bacteria inside your belly.

d) Helps in Muscle Building: As Shilajit boosts testosterone, it directly affects the way you build muscles and how you recover after a heavy workout session.

Conclusion: Shilajit vs Sea Moss, Which Is Better?

While both of them are a pretty solid option to revamp your overall health, it is important to figure out which one is better for you depending upon your preference. That being said, one thing that makes Shilajit a better choice overall is that it is backed by numerous research.

Though many of the studies on Shilajit are done on rats, it should be noted that rats and humans do share a lot of the same genetic, biological, and behavioral characteristics, according to The Foundation of Biomedical Research.

“Researchers study rats and mice because they are very similar to people genetically.”

Apart from this, if we talk about the safety of these two, both of them are safe to consume. We have already covered that Shilajit is safe for everyone, even breastfeeding women.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Take Shilajit and Sea Moss Together?

Yes, you can take them together. Given both are complementary to each other, it should pose no problem at all to consume them together.

Is Sea Moss Better than Ashwagandha?

Well, these two diet supplements are immensely different from each other. While Sea Moss is oriented toward the overall well-being of your body, Ashwagandha is geared more toward sexual and mental health.

Does Sea Moss Contain Fulvic Acid?

No, Sea Moss aka Irish Moss doesn’t contain Fulvic Acid. Fulvic Acid is found abundantly in Shilajit.

About Author:

Rahul Sharma is a highly experienced author and expert in the field of Shilajit, with a deep passion for natural remedies and traditional healing practices. With extensive knowledge and research, he has authored numerous articles and educational materials on Shilajit, covering its history, composition, extraction methods, and therapeutic applications.