Magnesium Stearate as part of a capsule in suppement?

 Magnesium Stearate as part of a capsule in suppement?

• Magnesium stearate is a white powder that's commonly used as an inactive ingredient in capsules, tablets, and powders. It's also known as a "flow agent" because it prevents the ingredients in a capsule from sticking together and to the machines that make them. Magnesium stearate also improves the consistency and quality of the capsules. 

• Another function of the powder is to slow the absorption and breakdown of drugs. This way, your body absorbs them in the correct area of your bowel. Without magnesium stearate, it would be hard to predict a medication's outcome, quality, and consistency.

• Experts say stearic acid is the only long-chain saturated fat that does not raise cholesterol levels.

• In the form of a powder, the salt forms the coating that you see on medications and vitamins.  Magnesium stearate may stick to your hands and feel greasy when you touch it. Makers of many processed foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals also add magnesium stearate to their products. 

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• Magnesium stearate is a form of chelated magnesium, which is a stable, neutral compound made from a mineral and a vegetable-sourced acid. It's created by reacting stearate, which can come from animal fats or plant-based sources, with magnesium. In supplements, magnesium stearate typically makes up less than 1% of the total formulation, or less than 20 mg. 

The Health Effects of Magnesium Stearate

• Magnesium stearate is generally safe to consume, but too much of it can have a laxative effect. In large amounts, it can irritate the mucus lining of the bowels. This may trigger a bowel movement or diarrhea.

• Immune function. The powder may weaken your immune T-cell function. Studies on this effect are still in the early stages.

• Pesticide concerns. Stearate sometimes comes from cottonseed oil. Some people worry that it may have pesticides that can be dangerous when consumed. Magnesium stearate goes through an intense purification process before being used in medications.‌

• Another concern is that cottonseed oil is genetically modified. But the chemical structure of stearic acid remains the same regardless of its source Nutrients and drug absorption. There is some concern that magnesium stearate might keep the body from absorbing nutrients the way it should. One study found that tablets with magnesium stearate take longer to dissolve than those without. 

• Other research found that how long magnesium stearate takes to dissolve has no effect on a drug's effectiveness. It also doesn't change the dissolution of the tablet or the potency of the supplement or drug.

• Biofilms. There are also concerns that magnesium stearate can cause the formation of harmful biofilms in the digestive system. Biofilms happen when groups of bacteria form a protective barrier. These claims come from the fact that soap has magnesium stearate and makes a scum film. But your intestinal lining is different from your bathroom walls or doors and won't have the same scum film.

• The FDA generally considers magnesium stearate to be safe, but some people may experience allergic reactions after consuming foods or supplements that contain it. These reactions may include diarrhea and bowel spasms. The National Center for Biotechnology suggests that taking 2,500 milligrams of magnesium stearate per kilogram of body weight is considered safe.