Magnesium stearate is a naturally occurring fatty acid that is used as a carrier in pharmaceutical drugs and dietary supplements. Technically, it is a magnesium salt of stearic acid, which is found in many oils, meats and other whole foods. Claims about the use of magnesium stearate include that it presents health risks such as immune suppression, toxicity, ingestion of trans fats and exposure to carcinogens.
Compromises Immune Health
Caroline Cardenas, proprietor of CureYourBody.com, claims that magnesium stearate is an immunosuppressant, which are substances that negatively affect immune function. The Life Extension Foundation claims that studies showing an immunosuppressive effect were done in a petri dish with stearic acid and are not pertinent to the oral ingestion and metabolism of magnesium stearate.
Toxic
Another common health risk claimed by opponents of magnesium stearate is toxicity. For example, in her article titled "Are You Being Poisoned? The Danger of Magnesium Stearate and Stearic Acid In Our Health Supplements," Cardenas claims that magnesium stearate is poison. However, the Life Extension Foundation reports that oral toxicology research shows that 14.5 grams per day of magnesium stearate would be needed to create a toxic effect. That dosage is equivalent to swallowing 1,450 capsules a day, assuming the standard 10 mg of magnesium stearate per 1000 mg capsule.
Includes Hydrogenated Oils
In her article, Cardenas goes on to say that magnesium stearate is a toxin, filled with hydrogenated oils. Hydrogenating fatty acids is a chemical process that turns oils into solids at room temperature, creating trans fats. She claims that magnesium stearate starts killing cells as soon as it enters the body. Stearic acid is naturally found in meats, fish, grains, eggs, butter and chocolate. In fact, stearic acid makes up a large amount of the fatty acids in chocolate, and is not a trans fat. Further, author and dietary fat expert Udo Erasmus reports that excess stearic acid in the body is converted to oleic acid, the omega-9 fat found in olive oil.
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