“Theoretically, co-ingesting chromium, [Indian gooseberry], and/or [shilajit] during an exercise and weight loss program could promote greater glucose control, blood lipids and/or body composition benefits, thereby helping manage cardiometabolic and MetSyn risk factors,” wrote researchers from Texas A&M University in the journal Nutrients.
They found that taking the combination supplement while engaging in resistance and endurance training and reducing calories had some positive effects on fat loss, inflammatory markers and blood lipids, but the findings did not reach significance or persist until the end of the study.
“However, these findings should be viewed as exploratory, as some potential benefits observed after 6 weeks were not sustained after 12 weeks and some differences only approached significance with moderate effect sizes,” the researchers wrote.
The researchers called for further studies to evaluate the mechanisms involved in populations both with and without metabolic syndrome before any conclusions can be drawn.
The components
Phyllanthus emblica, also known as Indian gooseberry, is a medicinal plant that has been used for multiple health benefits, including antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and neuroprotective properties.
Shilajit is a naturally occurring mineral substance found in the Himalayas that has been used in Ayurvedic traditions to manage hypertension, inflammation, hyperlipidemia and diabetes.
Chromium is a mineral that has been researched for its ability to improve insulin sensitivity and manage blood glucose levels.
Study details
The randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study involved 109 sedentary adults with at least two markers of metabolic syndrome.
The participants completed a 12-week exercise program consisting of resistance and endurance training three days a week and walking 10,000 steps on non-training days.
Researchers instructed them to reduce their energy intake by −5 kcals/kg/d and allocated them either 500 mg (PE-500) or 1000 mg (PE-1000) of Phyllanthus emblica (PE), 400 µg of trivalent chromium (Cr) with 6 mg each of PE and shilajit (SJ) (Cr-400), 800 µg of Cr trivalent chromium with 12 mg of each of PE and SJ (Cr-800) or placebo for 12 weeks.
Compared to placebo, there was some evidence approaching significance “that PE and/or Cr with PE and SJ supplementation improved pulse wave velocity, flow-mediated dilation, platelet aggregation, insulin sensitivity and blood lipid profiles while promoting more optimal changes in body composition, strength and aerobic capacity,” the researchers wrote, noting that differences among groups were more consistently seen at six weeks rather than the end of the study.
In addition, they reported that “greater benefits were more consistently observed with PE-1000 and Cr-800 ingestion.”
Source: Nutrients 2025, 17(12), 2042. doi: 10.3390/nu17122042. “Effects of 12 Weeks of Chromium, Phyllanthus emblica Fruit Extract, and Shilajit Supplementation on Markers of Cardiometabolic Health, Fitness, and Weight Loss in Men and Women with Risk Factors to Metabolic Syndrome Initiating an Exercise and Diet Intervention: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial”. Authors: V. Martinez et al.
