Harmful Effects Of Magnesium Stearate

Magnesium stearate is a form of the mineral magnesium that contains stearic acid, which is a type of saturated fat. Also called magnesium salt, magnesium stearate resembles table salt in that it is white in color and remains solid at room temperature. When combined with magnesium, stearic acid is used as a diluting agent in the manufacturing of many capsulated dietary supplements and multivitamins. Magnesium stearate is commonly used as a binding agent in vitamin and supplement capsules to ensure the nutrients within the supplement stay intact when ingested.

Toxicity

The International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council of the Americas, or IPEC-Americas, classifies magnesium stearate as an excipient, which is a substance that is included in a supplement or drug that is not meant to be an active ingredient. As an excipient, magnesium stearate is extracted from palm oil and cottonseed oil before it is combined with a nutritional supplement. To extract magnesium stearate from these oils, the oils must first be hydrogenated, which produces altered products that are toxic for the body.

Overdose

Small doses of magnesium stearate have been approved for use in nutritional products by the Food and Drug Administration. However, high amounts of magnesium stearate can negatively effect your immune system function by adversely affecting the normal functioning of immune cells called T cells. Your immune system is responsible for the health and maintenance of your body's organs and cells. Suppressing your immune system can leave you more vulnerable to illness and disease.

Absorption Problem

Although magnesium stearate is effective in lubricating and binding nutrients in vitamins and nutritional supplements, one of the reported dangers is a decreased absorption of the nutrients contained within the capsules. Magnesium stearate may compete for absorption with some of the other vitamins and minerals contained within the tablet or pill, which may decrease the effects of the active ingredients contained in the supplement because your body may not be able to absorb them properly.

Respiratory Problems

During the manufacturing process of many vitamin and mineral supplements, magnesium stearate is found in powdered form. This powder can be released into the air during the manufacturing process and, if inhaled, can cause an inflammation of the respiratory system. In some cases, magnesium stearate can cause asphyxia, or a lack of oxygen and excess carbon dioxide in your body. Individuals with allergies or asthma may be particularly sensitive to the inhalation of magnesium stearate powder.