FAQ

Our minerals do not expire when stored properly at room temperature or in the refrigerator. The manufacturing date is there so you can track freshness — retailers typically assign a 3-year shelf life for restocking purposes, but the minerals themselves remain potent beyond that window when stored correctly. Once you open your bottle, we recommend consuming it within 60 days to ensure the highest mineral potency.

Both are extracted from humate deposits. Vital Earth Minerals sources from freshwater humate located more than 25 feet below the surface in the American Southwest — naturally below the zone of modern agricultural chemicals, surface runoff, and contamination. This deposit has been tested consistently since 2000 and has never required rotation to a backup source.

Both are extracted from humate deposits. Vital Earth Minerals sources from freshwater humate located more than 25 feet below the surface in the American Southwest — naturally below the zone of modern agricultural chemicals, surface runoff, and contamination. This deposit has been tested consistently since 2000 and has never required rotation to a backup source.

Both fulvic acid and humic acid are components of humic substances, extracted from the same source material. The key difference is molecular size. Fulvic acid is the smaller, more water-soluble fraction — it crosses cell membranes and works throughout the body at the cellular level.

Humic acid is much larger and stays primarily in the digestive tract, where it supports gut microflora balance and healthy elimination.* Because they work in different parts of the body, taking both together provides broader support than either alone.*

Ionic minerals are generally considered more bioavailable than colloidal minerals. Ionic minerals carry an electrical charge and are in the form cells can interact with directly, without waiting for conversion steps.

Colloidal minerals are particles suspended in liquid — larger in size and with more variable absorption. Vital Earth Minerals products contain fully ionic trace minerals, not colloidal suspensions.*

People report various experiences, including improved energy, better digestion, and general wellbeing. Individual responses vary significantly — some people notice changes within the first few weeks; others take longer.

If you’re new to fulvic and humic minerals or feel you have a significant mineral deficiency, we recommend starting at one-quarter of the standard serving for the first week and building up gradually. Some people experience a brief adjustment period of mild digestive changes or temporary fatigue during the first few days as the body adapts. These effects are typically mild and resolve quickly.

Yes.

Fulvic and humic minerals from a quality source have a well-established safety profile and a long history of daily consumption. A formal safety and toxicology study (Murbach et al., 2020, Toxicology Reports) confirmed a favorable safety profile across multiple safety endpoints. As with any supplement, follow recommended servings and consult a qualified healthcare professional if you have specific health concerns.

No.

Fulvic minerals deliver a broad spectrum of ionic trace minerals, but they are not a substitute for major minerals like calcium and magnesium at the doses your body requires. Vital Earth’s Cal-Mag product is specifically formulated to support calcium and magnesium levels. For most people, fulvic minerals complement a healthy diet and targeted supplementation rather than replacing them.

Adults: 1 fl oz per day (one bottle cap). New users should start at ¼ fl oz for the first week and build up gradually.

Children: Scaled by body weight — ¼ fl oz for under 50 lbs; ½ fl oz for 50–99 lbs; full adult serving for 100 lbs and over.

Pets: ⅛ fl oz for under 25 lbs; ¼ fl oz for 25–50 lbs; ½ fl oz for 51–100 lbs; ¾ fl oz for over 100 lbs. Cats: ⅛ fl oz regardless of size. Horses: 2–4 fl oz. See our Animals page for full guidance.

Yes.

Fulvic acid is a natural chelating agent that supports the bioavailability of other nutrients. Many people find their supplements are better utilized when taken alongside fulvic minerals.

If you take prescription medications, we recommend taking them at least two hours apart from your fulvic or humic minerals, as fulvic acid’s chelation properties may affect how your medication is absorbed. Consult your prescribing physician or pharmacist for guidance specific to your medications.

Yes.

Our minerals contain no significant caloric
value and no additives, sweeteners, or fillers of any kind. They are compatible
with fasting protocols and do not break a fast.

They are derived from organic compounds formed by the natural decomposition of ancient plant matter over millions of years. Our humate source is located more than 25 feet below the surface, naturally below the zone of modern agricultural chemicals and pollutants. While the term “certified organic” applies to agricultural products under USDA NOP standards, our minerals are naturally free of synthetic chemicals by virtue of their geological origin and depth of source.

Both contain humic substances, but they are meaningfully different products. Shilajit is a raw, complex resin containing fulvic acid as one component among many, sourced from mountainous regions and known for its strong, difficult taste.

Vital Earth Minerals products are purified fulvic and humic acid extracts from a consistently tested freshwater humate deposit in the American Southwest. The mineral profile, purity, and consistency are significantly different from raw shilajit, and our products have a mild, natural flavor that mixes easily with water, juice, or other beverages.

Yes.

We use HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) bottles, which are certified food-safe and do not contain BPA or other harmful plasticizers. HDPE does not leach chemicals into the products stored in it and maintains the integrity of our minerals.

If you’re new to our products, we recommend following The Vital Reset — our simple 3-step protocol:
• Step 1: Humic Minerals or Super Strength Humic Minerals — take daily in the evening for 1–2 months to support gut microflora balance and prime your digestive system for optimal nutrient absorption.*
• Step 2: Fulvic Mineral Complex — take daily in the morning to support cellular mineral delivery and natural energy production.*
• Step 3: Mineral Blend — your long-term daily maintenance product, combining fulvic and humic acid in their naturally occurring proportions.*
See the full Vital Reset page for complete guidance.

Most people find ongoing daily use most beneficial, for the same reason that mineral supplementation is necessary in the first place: modern agricultural practices have consistently depleted the trace mineral content of the food supply, and that depletion continues. Even with a healthy diet, the minerals that were once available through food are increasingly absent from conventionally grown produce.

Fulvic and humic minerals support the body’s natural processes for mineral absorption, gut microflora balance, antioxidant activity, and healthy immune function — all of which benefit from consistent, daily support rather than periodic use.* Consistency matters more than quantity.

Historically, fulvic and humic substances were present in mineral-rich soil and transferred naturally into plants as they grew.

Modern agricultural practices — including synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and monocropping — have depleted the soil microorganism populations that create these compounds, as well as the trace mineral content of agricultural soils overall.

As a result, the fulvic and humic content of conventionally grown food has declined significantly over the past century. Supplementation directly addresses this gap.

Our products contain trace minerals in ionic form — the same naturally occurring mineral matrix found in ancient plant-derived humate, including both essential and non-essential trace elements at very low concentrations. Vital Earth Minerals conducts third-party heavy metals testing as part of our quality control program. Our freshwater humate source, located more than 25 feet below the surface, is naturally protected from modern contamination sources.

The important distinction is form: ionic trace minerals complexed with fulvic acid behave very differently from metallic or clay-based mineral compounds. Ionic minerals are in a form cells can directly interact with.

Yes.

Our Fulvic Mineral Mist is specifically formulated for topical use on face, neck, and body. It delivers ionic trace minerals directly to the skin surface, supporting healthy skin and hair.*

Apply 2–3 sprays to clean skin and allow to absorb. It can be used before serums and moisturizers, or as a refreshing mist throughout the day. Many customers use it morning and evening.

Vital Earth Minerals products are extracted using only purified water — no acid solvents — and maintain a natural alkaline pH of 7.0–9.0. Many fulvic acid products on the market are produced using acid extraction methods, resulting in an acidic finished product (typically pH 2–4). The extraction method matters because it changes the pH and molecular structure of the fulvic acid itself.

Research comparing alkaline and acidic fulvic formulations (Rudnicka et al., 2026, Nature Scientific Reports) found that alkaline preparations demonstrated superior results in gut microflora support and cellular compatibility compared to acidic preparations. This is directly relevant to Vital Earth’s water-only extraction approach.*