What is Magnesium Stearate...and why is it in most of our supplements these day??

Magnesium Stearate - What is it?

	Magnesium stearate in supplements

Magnesium stearate is a white substance, solid at room temperature, used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical and supplement tablets and capsules. It is composed of magnesium and stearic acid, and oftentimes, palmitic acid as well.

Why do so Many Companies add it to Their Supplements?

The primary role of magnesium stearate in supplements is to act as a lubricant to prevent tablet and capsule contents from sticking to the machinery that processes them. This ensures that production machinery can operate at maximum speeds and profit targets can be met. In other words, it is primarily used for financial reasons. Read a detailed explanation of magnesium stearate’s role as a lubricant in manufacturing facilities.

What are the Pros and Cons of Magnesium Stearate?

Pros

The pros are for manufacturers that want to improve profit margins. It is far more costly and time-intensive to produce supplements without magnesium stearate.

Cons

Reduction of dissolution time

Brand X With Stearates - Will Not Dissolve		Dr. Ron’s Dissolves Easily

It is commonly noted in medical literature that magnesium stearate increases the time it takes for tablets and capsules to dissolve due to the film it forms on capsule or tablet ingredients. Magnesium stearate coats a good portion of the molecules in a tablet or capsule, requiring digestive enzymes to break down the magnesium stearate coating before being able to access the nutrients it envelops.
In a study published in the journal Pharmaceutical Technology (April, 1985), the percent dissolution for capsules after 20 minutes in solution went from 90% without stearates to 25% with stearates. In other words, stearates reduced the rate the capsule dissolved by 65%! This may result in the nutrients not dissolving in the appropriate section of the intestines as intended. We are particularly concerned about individuals with impaired digestion who may have more difficulty absorbing nutrients coated with magnesium stearate.

Are There Metal Catalysts in Your Supplement?

Hydrogenated oils are a common source for the magnesium stearate used in pharmaceuticals and supplements. The stearates are made by hydrogenating cottonseed or palm oil. Cottonseed oil has the highest content of pesticide residues of all commercial oils; cotton crops are heavily sprayed. In the hydrogenation process, the oil is subjected to high heat and pressure in the presence of a metal catalyst for several hours, creating a hydrogenated saturated fat. Hydrogenated vegetable fats contain altered molecules derived from fatty acids. According to Udo Erasmus in Fats and Oils, the metal catalyst used in the hydrogenation process may also contaminate the stearates produced.

Contamination

Are your supplements contaminated?

In December 2011 The World Health Organization reported that several batches of magnesium stearate were cross-contaminated with zeolite (sodium aluminium silicate), calcium hydroxide, dibenzoylmethane, bisphenol A and Irganox 1010. While some of these substances may not be harmful, as is the case with zeolite, others are known to be harmful, such as bisphenol A (BPA). The industrial chemical BPA is an endocrine disruptor and has been found to have other harmful effects. The European Union has banned its use in baby bottles and several consumer groups in the U.S. have petitioned the FDA to ban its use in food containers. But whether or not the contaminants found in the magnesium stearate are benign or harmful is not the issue. The issue is that it was contaminated at all.


Premier Research Labs the product of my choice, and the main stay here at Take A New Approach Health & Wellness, performs batch testing on all of their products.  This company boast that they do not use Magnesium Stearate or other fillers, ever in their products. 
Premier Products for Rapid Cellular Response. 


Information & resource in part from: Dr. Ron's Ultra Pure