Magnesium stearate, also called octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt, is a white substance, powder which becomes solid at room temperature. It has the chemical formula Mg(C18H35O2)
Contents
Uses
- Magnesium stearate is often used as an anti-adherent in the manufacture of medical tablets, capsules and powders. In this regard, the substance is also useful, because it has lubricating properties, preventing ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment during the compression of chemical powders into solid tablets; magnesium stearate is the most commonly used lubricant for tablets. Magnesium stearate can also be used efficiently in dry coating processes.
- Studies have shown that magnesium stearate may affect the release time of the active ingredients in tablets, etc., but not that it reduces the overall bioavailability of those ingredients. As a food additive or pharmaceutical excipient, its E number is E470b.
- Magnesium stearate is also used to bind sugar in hard candies like mints, and is a common ingredient in baby formulas
Benefits
- Magnesium Importance: Magnesium stearate provides a small amount of magnesium, as it consists of about 4 percent magnesium. You need magnesium for keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure at healthy levels, forming DNA and protein and keeping your muscles and nerves working properly. Women need at least 320 milligrams per day, and men need at least 420 milligrams per day for good health.
- Use in Supplements: Manufacturers use magnesium stearate in some supplements and medications as an inactive ingredient to help keep the active ingredients flowing smoothly through the machinery used to produce the supplements. This is beneficial because it makes it more likely that each pill has a consistent dose of the active ingredients so each pill will have the same effect in your body.
Cautions
- Magnesium stearate is generally regarded as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. There are some rumors online that this inactive ingredient isn’t safe, stating that it may suppress immune function and that it can form a biofilm and prevent the absorption of nutrients, based on preliminary animal studies.
- An article published in Nutrition Review in November 2013 notes that these claims aren’t valid, stating that magnesium stearate affected the immune function of mice because they lack an enzyme that converts stearic acid to oleic acid. That isn’t a problem for people because we do have this enzyme. As for blocking the absorption of nutrients, the author notes that enzymes in your body break down stearic acid so it won’t limit absorption.
Interactions
None are recorded. Please consult with a specialist.
Other names
octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt
References
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_stearate#Uses
LiveStrong, http://www.livestrong.com/article/279319-what-what-are-the-benefits-of-magnesium-stearate-to-humans/