However, even on a Paleo diet, it can be hard to avoid some fillers, thickeners, and additives. In fact, many common Paleo foods contain more additives than their Neolithic counterparts. For instance, commercial nut milks and coconut milk often contain thickeners like gums or carrageenan, while your run-of-the-mill grocery store whole cow’s milk is additive-free.
In this series, I’ll review the science on some of the most common additives and let you know whether you should be concerned about consuming them. First up—magnesium stearate.
Is magnesium stearate a harmless additive or a dangerous chemical? Check out this article to find out. #magnesium #magnesiumstereate #foodadditives
What Is Magnesium Stearate?
Magnesium stearate is a salt that is produced when a magnesium ion bonds with two stearate molecules. Stearate is just the anion form of stearic acid. Stearic acid is a long-chain saturated fat that is abundant in beef, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and other natural foods. As I mentioned in my red meat article, it’s also the only long-chain saturated fat that scientists and medical practitioners agree doesn’t raise cholesterol levels, and doesn’t increase the risk of heart disease.
Uses and Function
Magnesium stearate is most commonly used in supplement manufacturing as a “flow agent,” which helps ensure that the equipment runs smoothly and the ingredients stay blended together in the correct proportions. It can also be found in some cosmetics.
Given the seemingly benign components of this additive, it’s a little surprising how controversial it is. There are a lot of misconceptions and inaccurate statements about it floating around the internet, and while I wouldn’t recommend consuming vats of the stuff (not that you’d want to), I think the concern over magnesium stearate is largely overblown.
What Are the Supposed Side Effects and Dangers, and Are They a Cause for Concern?
1. Effect on Immune Cells
One study that many people have used as evidence against magnesium stearate is a 1990 experiment entitled “Molecular basis for the immunosuppressive action of stearic acid on T cells.” This baffles me, and I suspect that anyone using this study to indict magnesium stearate hasn’t actually read it.
In the experiment, scientists isolated T cells and B cells from mice, put them in a Petri dish, and bathed them in a solution containing stearic acid (along with some other components). They observed that the T cells incorporated the stearic acid into their cell membrane, eventually destabilizing the membrane enough that the cell died.
First of all, this study has nothing to do with magnesium stearate. They just used the plain old stearic acid that you’d find in your beef, chocolate, or coconut oil, so this study could just as easily be used against those foods. If you’re going to be concerned about this study (which you shouldn’t be), you’d have much bigger sources of stearic acid to worry about than the magnesium stearate in your supplements.
Second, the study has nothing to do with stearic acid consumed in the diet. Under normal conditions, your T cells are not bathed in stearic acid, even if you consume superhuman amounts of coconut oil, tallow, and cocoa butter.
Finally, the researchers used T cells from mice, and in this case, the results cannot be applied to humans. The mouse cells incorporated stearic acid into their membranes because they lacked the ability to desaturate fatty acids. However, human T cells do have the ability to desaturate fatty acids, so even if you did bathe your T cells in stearic acid, they would be able to maintain their membrane function. (1)
In case you got lost, here’s a summary: this study has no relevance whatsoever to human consumption of magnesium stearate, I have no idea why the study is being referenced in this manner, and you shouldn’t be concerned about it.
2. Concerns about Pesticides and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Another criticism is that because stearate is often derived from cottonseed oil, it can be contaminated with pesticides. Keep in mind that magnesium stearate is a highly purified substance, and goes through an intensive refining process before appearing in your supplements. So far, I haven’t come across any reports indicating that magnesium stearate retains substantial amounts of pesticide residue.
As for the concern that cottonseed oil is often genetically modified, the source of crude fat shouldn’t make a difference in the final form of the stearate. Stearic acid is an 18-carbon molecule with a specific chemical structure that will be the same whether the stearic acid is from a genetically modified cotton plant, a bar of Hershey’s chocolate, or a grass-fed rib eye steak.
3. Effect on Nutrient and Drug Absorption
Another criticism is that magnesium stearate might inhibit nutrient absorption. One in vitro study conducted in 2007 found that tablets containing magnesium stearate dissolved more slowly than tablets without magnesium stearate when placed in artificial gastric juice. (2) The study authors concluded that in vivo studies are needed to determine whether this finding has any practical significance. However, an earlier study found that although magnesium stearate increased the time it took for a drug to dissolve, it had no effect on overall bioavailability, as evidenced by blood levels of the drug in test subjects. (3) Further, another study found that levels of magnesium stearate didn’t affect tablet dissolution at all. (4)
All of this information indicates that although magnesium stearate might affect the rate of tablet dissolution in some circumstances, it doesn’t affect the overall bioavailability of the drug or supplement.
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4. Biofilms
I’ve seen this claim pop up in a few places around the internet, so I’ll address it briefly. Some critics of magnesium stearate claim that it can induce formation of harmful biofilms in the intestine. (Biofilms are immobile communities of bacteria that form when bacteria adhere to a surface and generate a polysaccharide matrix.) This assertion appears to be based on the fact that soap scum contains magnesium and calcium stearate, so they insist that just as soap scum creates film on your sink or shower, magnesium stearate creates film on your intestines.
It should be pretty obvious that the intestinal lumen is a vastly different environment from a shower door, but some people still seem to be concerned. Rest assured, there is no conceivable reason why this would take place, and I haven’t seen a single scientific article that even hints at this possibility.
5. Magnesium Stearate Allergy
A 2012 study entitled “Magnesium stearate: an underestimated allergen” reported on a 28-year-old woman who had an allergic reaction to magnesium stearate, resulting in hives. I’m very curious about this result, because an allergy to either magnesium or stearate seems highly unlikely, but unfortunately, I don’t have full-text access to that study. But, needless to say, if you develop hives (or another allergic response) after consuming magnesium stearate, you should probably avoid it in the future.
6. Magnesium Stearate in Cosmetics
Magnesium stearate has several uses in the cosmetics industry: it’s an anti-caking agent, a bulking agent, a colorant, and more. In the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, magnesium stearate is marked as “low hazard,” although it’s noted that limited data are available on this ingredient.
So, Is Magnesium Stearate Safe or Bad for You?
As a final note, a rat study determined that you’d have to take 2,500 mg of magnesium stearate per kilogram of body weight per day to start seeing toxic effects. (5) That means a 150-pound person would have to consume 170,000 mg per day, which is so far beyond any amount you would encounter in supplements that it’s a non-issue.
Overall, I haven’t found scientific evidence to substantiate the claims against magnesium stearate, and the small amounts found in supplements shouldn’t be a problem for the majority of the population.
Read: “How to make your own vitamins & supplements.” @ Amazon.com. Not only is Magnesium Stearate a problem, but hard tablets contain wood pulp, fillers, binders, etc. that cause problems within the body. It’s better to use 100% pure powders for your supplements. And even better, if you make your own. I use fruit powders, vegetable powders, herbs, etc. I put them into empty “00” capsules myself. I have a tiny capsule making machine that presses the empty capsules together.
Here is a good article on the different types of Magnesium (Different Amino Binders)
http://www.drnibber.com/understanding-different-types-of-magnesium/
For those unfamiliar with the various compounds that supply magnesium, this is a good resource. I couldn’t help but laugh, thinking of the person who has repeatedly asserted that even though magnesium and stearate might be harmless on their own compounding them is the problem. The article shows a lot of compounds involving magnesium that are not only harmless, but are quite helpful.
Hi Annie,
what if you take your powder and mix it in some liquid (water or oil or juice) and drink it and then you don’t have to put it into the capsules? Would that work? Would it provide the same nutritional benefits? Please advise. Thank you for your insights.
I am trying to find a good vision health supplement without any unnecessary and possibly harmful or unhealthy additives. Not an easy task, in fact it seems next to impossible. I’m in the first stages of macular degeneration. I was advised by my opthamologist to take Bausch & Lomb areds 2 formula. After reading the ingredients, I decided that I didn’t want to take that brand. It contains Soy, Red dye #40, including yellow and blue dyes and other additives. Almost every brand out there has soy or soy lecithin in it. Whenever I find a brand that seems to have everything I want in it, it has the soy in it too. The brands that don’t have any soy have other ingredients like Alpha Lipoic Acid in it. I’ve heard that ALA causes heartburn in people with Gerd and acid reflux. I have had episodes of acid reflux and don’t want to aggravate the condition or make it worse. Apparently the ALA chelates any mercury in your body, particularly if you have amalgamated dental fillings or quite a few of them. There is a much higher incidence in people who have digestive issues when ALA is in a supplement.
It’s frustrating that I can’t find a product without those few ingredients I don’t want. I’ve even seen safflower oil and corn starch as fillers. As for Cottonseed oil, isn’t that a trans fat or bad oil? I guess it’s all about marketing. There are a lot of products out there for vision health. They all have different options, but the problem I have is that I can’t seem to find exactly what I’m looking for in one product alone. One product will give you something the other one doesn’t, yet I can’t get what I want in just one product!
For acid reflux you should drink Kiefer Milk. Drink 2 cups a day for 1 month. Then stop. As for your eyes, try Rutin powder, GAC fruit powder, etc. You need to start making your own supplements w/o magnesium stearate. Get the book “How to make your own vitamins & supplements.” It shows you how to put these powders into empty capsules. Rutin is great for Macular Degeneration. Purchase the 100% pure powder powders. Google the book “How to make your own vitamins & supplements” and it’s time start making your supplements!!!!!!!!!!. I’ve been making my own for 5 years now and I am 61 years old; and I don’t know what Arthritis is because I don’t use hard capsules; they’re full of fillers, binders, toxins, wood pulp, and magnesium stearate.
I agree with you about binders and fillers, but please, it’s not wise to tell people to drink this or take that for their problems. Kefir is TERRIBLE for people with any sort of histamine problems, and rutin and other herbs can be a problem for people with salicylate intolerance.
Everyone is different, please keep that in mind.
Great info for the eyes. I have also heard putting a drop
of castor oil in the eyes at bed time. Have you heard this?
I’ve heard that, but have also read of bad reactions. That sometimes quacky site “earthclinic” has some positive and negative reports, purely annectdotal however…
All these health problems are from inflammatory foods that are comsumed on a daily basis. If you stay away from inflammatory foods then you will not need supplements or drugs except maybe Vit D if you live in the north during the winter. Changing or eliminating only one food will not help you, you need to change your whole diet and over time you will feel better and your health problems will be elminated.
Why don’t you seek out a compounding pharmacist that can put whatever you like together for you without the things you don’t want?
As much as you’d think they could put ‘anything’ together, they are limited sometimes. And the cost becomes prohibitive.
Emerald, if you are still looking for a supplement for your eyes without soy, try this one http://www.highernature.co.uk/Products/visualeyes#.VLJQeSuG_D8 I’ve used that myself for years. I am not associated with Higher Nature nor am I trying to push their products. Just thought you might want to check out this product yourself.
Hi,
I started taking 5-HTP about 3 weeks ago. About 2 weeks ago I started itching like crazy everywhere, my legs, sometimes my arm, my chest, everywhere. Magnesium stearate is in Natrol 5-HTP could it be that I am allergic to it? I read that you came across a 28 year old that got hives from it. Please help!
Try a brand without any fillers, and you might have your answer.
‘Seeking Health’ makes one that is mag-stearate free, available on Amazon. And if you try this or another brand w/o the stearate, please report back to let us know if your hives went away.
pure Encapsulations is a company that uses no fillers whatsoever and make a wide range of products. HTH!!
FYI,
Since I’m invoking your name, it occurs to me you might be interested in where/how.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/forum/cd/discussion.html/ref=cm_cd_NOREF?ie=UTF8&asin=B004UAPG46&cdForum=Fx2AJMZ7IJ0BHLT&cdPage=1&cdThread=Tx3B6QGXFM6TZN4#Mx1QYYDBGRC0YA2
Ed
Well, Chris. I think there is a case out there in America that people are now shopping in stores for their own vitamins and supplements, really cluelessly choosing supplements by and for themselves, and so many have 15-30 bottles of sh*t at home with magnesium stearate and other toxins in them. One side effect of too much magnesium stearate can be inflammed bowels/intestines.
I worked with an elderly client who had been having 7-8 ‘mild’ (?) cases of diarrhea each month for over a year, and she and her husband had over 30 bottles of supplements, 25 of which contained mg stearate. Since the day about a year ago that I suggested replacing those with about 5 bottles of excipient-free products, ….. no more diarrhea. You decide, mg stearate, good or bad.
That why it’s best to avoid supplements with fillers. A common additive is B12. B12 is ok, but if you’re taking three or 4 formulas with 1000 mg of B12, including a multivitamin, then you’re getting a lot of B12. (B12 is added as an energy stimulant to a lot of formulas). I’m taking a 100% organic, non-GMO, multi-vitamin that just came on the market. And, I really like it. It doesn’t give me that over-stimulated feeling.
Hi Brad,
Would you care to share who produces/supplies your new supplement?
Kind Organics – Garden of Life. Really like them.
Garden of LIfe? That’s one I avoid like the plague.
…and yet you don’t say why.
They have a very long list of Non-GMO Project verified supplements – http://www.nongmoproject.org/find-non-gmo/search-participating-products/search/?brandId=384
I could see someone making this kind of statement (avoid like the plague) about Centrum multivitamins but about a company altogether, that screams personal vendetta.
Garden of Life was started by a gentleman who was very dishonest about the product that he claimed helped him recover from severe Crohn’s Disease.
Instead of just telling people what he took (a soil-based organism called “Nature’s Biotics”), he developed his own watered down, altered version (which he renamed as a “Homeostatic Soil Organism” or “HSO”, came out with a book to go along with it, and made millions marketing this falsehood for his own benefit.
Then every other month or so Garden of Life would come out with a new product that they insisted was needed in addition to the HSO, in order to recover from various health problems.
Google “Jordan Rubin” and “Nature’s Biotics” for more info…
You can read about Jordan R from a 3rd party who actually interviewed him at http://www.crohns.net/Miva/education/articles/HSO_PrimDef.shtml
I all the material from Jordan Rubin, i never read that he recovered from a supplemental product. he said in his book that he used Kefir, not a supplement. i understood that he developed his product after he recovered.
Likewise, Kelly. An explanation for your negative feeling would be useful.
I heard Garden of Life sources ingredients from China. I would not trust them.
Note also that MOST vitamins currently have the Cyanide version of B12, Cyanocobalamin, not Methylcobalamin. The white wash is that a little poison does no harm. Go figure. Look at which form of B12 you are taking, and ask yourself were in your body the cyanide radicals reside after conversion. Then realize that the amount of B12 you need for nutrition was EQUAL to the amount of Cyanide you metabolized from each pill. Still convinced that it’s harmless?
“Cyanocobalamin usually does not occur in living organisms, but animals can convert commercially produced cyanocobalamin into active (cofactor) forms of the vitamin, such as methylcobalamin.[1] The amount of cyanide liberated in this process is so small that its toxicity is negligible.” Wikipedia
“Most cyanides are highly toxic.” Wikipedia
Gail, deleting 30 supplements from someone’s diet is a very ineffective way of determining what is causing their diarrhea. Does this person take any medicines, over the counter or prescription? As of the last study I read approximately 78% of medicines contain Magnesium Stearate, with that number being even higher if you only consider prescription medications. In other words, you proved that something she is taking is giving her diarrhea (like taking too many supplements), but you made no connection at all to Magnesium Stearate. While I am in the camp who has seen enough evidence to convince me that Magnesium Stearate is harmless I also believe anything is possible. This thread has included testimonials from people offering anecdotal evidence that Magnesium Stearate has been harmful to them, so it seems that while it is unlikely, it is possible.
Gail said: One side effect of too much magnesium stearate can be inflammed bowels/intestines.
Really? Please refer us to your reputable source for this claim. Thank you.
Don’t forget that those supplements also contain “Soy” products–because it cheap. Now-a-days, 90% of soy products are genetically modified (GMO). Bad for you. They contain more toxins than any other legume. I try to avoid soy because it causes water filled Cysts to form in my breast. So far they’ve been benign. They hurt. I just drink 1 cup of Super Dieters Tea for three days to flush out the fluid filled cysts. Then I stop drinking it. The Cysts are gone. My mammoghrams turn out fine. Soy in everything!!!!!!!!!!!! This GMO product is causing a lot of illnesses.
OK, while I will not disagree that GMO crops need to be carefully monitored and regulated there is absolutely 0 creditable evidence that they are “bad” for anyone. Before you jump on me with all of the usual accusations do some research. I just spent hours trying to find holes in the argument that GMO products are safe. Yes, I went out with the attitude that they are bad, and that with the public outcry, there had to be good reasons. I will be darned if I didn’t fail. Please, feel free to find reputable proof that GMOs are “bad for people.” While I have been dismissive of information gleaned from Wikipedia, I kept finding myself led there and found a very comprehensive and unbiased page called: Genetically modified foods controversies.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food_controversies
Enjoy…
Shawn, you must not have looked real hard, here is the first of three articles I found in less than five minutes… and I don’t think you understand the subject if you don’t see the dangers in humans combining the genetic material of different species… this is the end of our world, as we know it. As of this moment, it can’t be undone ! We have screwed ourselves, and the planet…
Dr. Mezzomo and his team from the Department of Genetics and Morphology at the Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia recently performed and published a study done involving testing Bacillus thuringensis toxin (Bt toxin) on swiss albino mice. This toxin is the same one built into Monsanto’s GMO Bt crops such as corn and soy as a pesticide. While Bt toxin has been used quite safely in conventional and organic farming as an occasional spray used when dealing with a pest problem, now it has been engineered to be produced by and present throughout the inside of every cell and intercellular space of the plants themselves, which is why they chose to undertake the study. It should also be noted that as bacteria use lateral transference of genetic material, making it a possibility for this genetic material to become part of the human body’s bacterial bouquet that we depend on for our health (our bodies contain more bacteria cells than human ones by number).
“…advances in genetic engineering promise the expression of multiple Cry toxins in Bt-plants, known as gene pyramiding. Therefore, studies on non-target species are requirements of international protocols to verify the adverse effects of these toxins, ensuring human and environmental biosafety.
Due to its growing use in agricultural activities, Bt presence hasalready been detected in different environmental compartments such as soil and water. Consequently, the bioavailability of Cry proteins has increased, and for biosafety reasons their adverse effects might be studied, mainly for non-target organisms. Studies are therefore needed to evaluate Bt toxicity to non-target organisms; the persistence of Bt toxin and its stability in aquatic environments; and the risks to humans and animals exposed to potentially toxic levels of Bt through their diet.
Thus, we aimed to evaluate, in Swiss albino mice, the hematotoxicity and genotoxicity of four Bt spore-crystals…”
The scientists already knew that Bt toxin was very toxic and potentially deadly at levels above 270 milligrams per kilogram (basically ppm), so they instead tested levels ranging from 27mg/kg, 136mg/kg, and 270mg/kg for one to seven days (each of the Cry toxins were separated out and tested individually to maximize accuracy and total info). It was quite clear right off the bat that these Cry toxins were quite hemotoxic even at the lowest level of 27mg/kg administered only one time and one day as they clearly had damaged the blood, particularly in reference to red blood cells. The quantity and size of the erythrocytes (RBCs) were both significantly reduced, as was the overall levels of hemoglobin for which oxygen to attach to. All major factors regarding RBCs demonstrated some level of damage present for all levels of toxin administered and across all Cry proteins, although there were some clear variances present between different proteins and levels for certain factors. The white blood cell count was also quite noticeably raised, and as expected it dramatically increased depending on the duration the subject was tested for. The tests clearly demonstrated that Cry proteins were cytotoxic to bone marrow cells, accounting for a portion of the measured effects. It should also be noted that a previous study found that these proteins caused hemolysis (they killed blood cells) in vitro, particularly seeming to target the cell membranes of red blood cells.
Cry1Ab (the protein produced in common Bt corn and soy) induced microcytic hypochromic anemia in mice, even at the lowest tested dose of 27 mg/Kg, and this toxin has been detected in blood of non-pregnant women, pregnant women and their fetuses in Canada, supposedly exposed through diet [34]. These data, as well as increased bioavailability of these MCA in the environment, reinforce the need for more research, especially given that little is known about spore crystals’ adverse effects on non-target species.”
While Bt toxin is not known to bioaccumulate in fat cells and internal organs, it is of note that the study demonstrated clearly that there was a significant increase in measurable negative effects of the toxin as time progressed especially concerning the higher doses. Also of note was the increased inflammatory response, while it was quite minor, the scientists consider it to be statistically significant due to the intricacies of their chosen test subjects’ biology. No measurable genotoxicity was found.
I am disappointed in you Mr. Paleo. Of all of the people who might not do but half of the research, I never thought it would be you. Copying and pasting is easy, and you didn’t even look up the plethora of information that discredits everything you posted. I personally think you can tell I am so sick of this whole “discussion” where I present carefully reasoned information and I am repeatedly attacked by emotional, irrational responses. At least you don’t engage in that behavior. Still, do all the work, not just half of it.
I am exhausted of these arguments, so I will copy and paste a quote too:
The paper and related media reports were criticized for overstating the results.[185][186] Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) posted a direct response, saying that the suitability of the ELISA assay method for detecting the Cry1Ab protein was not validated and that no evidence showed that GM food was the protein’s source. The organization also suggested that even had the protein been detected its source was more likely conventional or organic food.
I totally agree with Mr. Paleo. I’ve seen the results of GMO Soy vegetarian Products. I, as well as, many friends have suffered from cysts in the breast and breast cancer because of GMO soy vegetarian products. Mr. Paleo is absolutely right I don’t know about men, but women that eat vegetarian meat may with GMO Soy products are having problems with their health. Vegetarian meat is loaded with soy.
Yes Ann, Soy is a problem. It has been long before GMO’s ever existed. Just because you can link a problem to Soy doesn’t mean it has anything to do with whether or not it is GMO.
Shawn, I am disappointed in you, as well. I haven’t the time to follow up on every single nuance of every single study, I have to rely on the “professionals” to do that. As I also respect you, you have quoted a source (FSANZ) that is the relative equivalent of our FDA… do you really want me to believe you trust our government, or anyone else’s, to be honest about a topic such as GMO’s ??? I have already explained that, without ANY equivocation, GMO’s are a REALLY bad idea, that will come back to haunt humanity for a very, very long time. You of all people should be able to see this…. we shouldn’t play GOD… that is shear human arrogance.
Mr. Paleo:
OK, we are done. You can sit there in your tin foil hat and your conspiracy theories and type whatever drivel you like, because you have lost all credibility. Totally unbelievable.
Shawn, as you claim to not have found any credible evidence that GMO-foods are “bad” for people, would you care to comment on this article http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/gmos-and-health-scientific-basis-serious-concern-and-immediate-action This is not intended to prove you wrong or engage in a confrontation but simply as an invitation to give me your perspective on this article. To show you where I stand with GMOs, I find this article by Jon Barron very enlightening http://jonbarron.org/diet-and-nutrition/gmo-food-safety#.VLJcNCuG_D8
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
Soy itself is a phytoestrogen. That messes with your hormones, to shorthand it. I avoid soy for that alone, when possible; being estrogen dominant doesn’t improve matters. I don’t know that GMO-soy would be any worse, in terms of the estrogen activity, I mean. Obviously anything GMO is to be avoided. Also, good luck ith that. (!)
Umm…
Has anyone talking about all the supposed downsides of Magnesium Stearate ACTUALLY READ THE ARTICLE YOU ARE COMMENTING ON?!?!?!?
Chris Kesser has spelled out for us exactly why we needn’t worry ourselves until and unless we experience a problem. The only way we can determine if each individual has a problem is to TRY IT. By a process of elimination, we could determine our level of sensitivity. A faster route would be to have a allergist MD test us for a reaction (skin test; could get expensive). Obviously anyone who has a known allergy to Magnesium Stearate, should make sure they are not ingesting it. But as the article pointed out, it is seriously unlikely that A) you are going to be allergic to it or B) you could ever consume enough to cause a problem.
We have to keep in mind the concept of Synergy. If you really looked closely at the combination of events when you thought you were having an allergic reaction, you might find you only had that reaction when you had a Magnesium Stearate Capsule on the days you ate French Fries from McDonalds (but never from Burger King), or drove past the Oil Refinery, or also ate a red apple (but never when you ate a yellow one). I don’t know about you, but I dont have the energy to do all that, though I know it can be done. Instead I would have my MD figure it out, or just avoid the ingredient if I felt better doing so.
I just think it is irresponsible to spread ideas that indicate huge problems are going to happen to everyone who ingests a microgram of Magnesium Stearate in a couple of daily pills. Also kind of disrespectful to read an article and not even ask the author any questions before launching into all the reasons we shouldn’t do what he explained is probably just an overblown reaction to bad Internet info.
And btw, everyone should be seeking out enough Magnesium (which isn’t the same as Magnesium Stearate) for optimum health. There’s so much we’re doing wrong!
So, THANKS, Chris Kresser, for a helpful and informative article.
“I just think it is irresponsible to spread ideas that indicate huge problems are going to happen to everyone who ingests a microgram of Magnesium Stearate in a couple of daily pills.”
Umm…
Has anyone talking about all the supposed downsides of Magnesium Stearate ACTUALLY READ THE COMMENTS?!?!?!?
Obviously not, as no one has suggested that ‘huge problems’ will happen if someone takes 2 pills.
Btw, you like to talk a lot, don’t you?
Hungh??
I using Mebhidroline for allergy and working perfect for me but this medicine contain stearate magnezi and lactose monohydrate how can calm down mine allergy?
Very interesting. I ran across your article because I was researching magnesium stearate. I look for vitamins without fillers. I found a tablet of C that I used to take as a teenager. I liked it because I used to eat the stuff like candy, and consume a lot of it. I decided to look at the ingredients. It isn’t straight C. It has a lot of filler ingredients to make the tablet, though C is the main ingredient. I would rather take the stuff with out the fillers, but it’s nice to know inside scoop. My only concern would be over a period of time, would the fillers accumulate?
Brad,
The human body generally is pretty efficient at “eliminating” toxins, unless they are problematic to some degree, like radioactivity or heavy metals, which tend to be stored, usually in fat cells…
Surely that begs the question, “Would the human body recognise Mg Stearate as a toxin?”
Certainly, it would seem from statements like “Stearic acid is a long-chain saturated fat that is abundant in beef, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and other natural foods” from Chis’ original article, that Stearic Acid would not be so recognised by a human body in a ‘normal’ state – i.e. one that had not ‘learned’ by some means to treat it as such. But what about Mg Stearate?
This leads us back to the list of twelve questions I suggested in my post of May 27 .
Correction: I AM absolutely convinced that it is not harmful to my body.
Thank you for this information. I was concerned about this substance in reading that my vitamins and other supplements contained this ingredient. After reading this and researching it further, I absolutely convinced that it is not harmful to my body.
Again, Thank you for this information… I found it to be VERY HELPFUL!!
Why would anyone make a claim like that unless they had some vested interest in Mg Stearate? No background of nutritional concern … reminds me of a fellow that sold a certain weed killer … told the anecdote: “When we’d spill it on the ground, the dogs lapped it up! It’s absolutely safe! Trust me!” Then he admitted later that when they ran out of it, they just sprayed water on the crops so the client was content.” Sorry, just settles wrong somehow in reasoning. However, I agree that I have more confidence that Mg Stearate, if not produced by mills that handle other toxins (per Mercola, who decries Mg Stearate as a danger), is less likely to be a concern than other agents in the vitamins, but I would still beware.
What food items or supplements have heavy metals in them?
Susan,
To begin your list, quite a lot of not all fish contain mercury. Some years ago (my note says 2007), Patrick Holford provided the following data in a newsletter regarding the amounts of mercury compared with omega-3 oils in some common fish. Canned tuna is one of the worst, sardines one of the best, from this perspective. I can’t find the original, just now. I’ve tried to reformat the table to show clearly, but I don’t know if it’ll display spaced out correctly. My recollection is that the third column may not have been supplied by Patrick Holford but was calculated by myself:
omega 3 mercury omega3/
g/100g mg/kg mercury
fresh wild salmon 2.7 0.05 540.0
canned sardines 1.57 0.04 390.3
canned and smoked salmon 1.54 0.04 380.5
fresh mackerel 1.93 0.54 350.7
herring (kipper) 1.31 0.04 320.8
trout 1.15 0.06 190.2
fresh tuna 1.5 0.4 30.8
cod 0.25 0.11 20.3
fresh sole 0.1 0.05 20.0
canned tuna 0.37 0.19 10.9
marlin *2 1.1 10.8
swordfish *2 1.4 10.4
(Sorry, I don’t have a note of what the asterisk means.)
Dr. Mercola has also written numerous articles on this topic. Just ‘Google’ “Mercola Mercury Fish”.
OK. My attempt to format the table failed completely.
The first column should have been titled, “omega-3 (g/100g)”, the second, “mercury (mg/kg)” and the third, “omega-3/mercury”. To read the table better, you’ll need to copy it to a word processor or text editor and space out the three numbers in each row under those headings.
Sorry I couldn’t do any better here in this comment facility.
The ones that come from China,
Hi Chris
Thanks for this article, I’d heard bad things about magnesium stearate but hadn’t done any proper research so this put my mind at rest. I am taking supplements with this in which I need for pyrolle disorder, so they’re not optional. Just wondered what your take on calcium laurate is? I found it has been added into one of my regular supplements instead of leucine. I’m hoping its just as benign as the Mg stearate but suspect the calcium part in particular, is not…
I_Fortuna.
So doctors have saved your life twice, huh, you fail to mention what you were saved from that nutrition didn’t matter at ALL. I do know that nutrition is a must for normal life and for sure to recover from any disease or accident; for anything that calls for healing in anyway. I don’t care if you call yourself a nutritionist, doctors call themselves doctors. Titles don’t mean anything and by your saying that nutrition is not a part of gaining health , Your degree is useless. I suppose you can sell your supplements and charge for your time and tell your patients to go home and eat gluten, sugar and junk, that your expensive supplements and charges will cure them. That’s what doctors do too. I said my OWN thoughts here but YOU did the regurgitating with your advice for the gal to be sure to go to a doctor who is a real doctor, not get advice from the internet or from someone who is not a real doctor. You sound like some TV ad or the line on about every product out there. Why you are on this list anyway??? Is it just because you want to Advertise that you have some degrees that can give you some business??? This list is about alternative medicine and nutrition to regain health and maintain health. And I DO disagree with your statement that “doctors are no more infallible than practitioners of alternative medicine.” Doctors treat symptoms with Expensive drugs that have more side effects than the person’s original problem. You, being a practitioners of alternative medicine will for sure be in the infallible category along with the pill pushers doctors since you maintain that nutrition is not at all a part of regaining health or life, and that doctors are no more infallible than practitioners of alternative medicine. I said that there are a LOT of bad alternative health practitioners. the ones who are close minded and think no one knows except a REAL doctor. That sounds like you. And to tell someone that they should not respond to you because the case was closed, you would surely not be someone who listens to patients and works with them. You have this close minded approach that says no one but you should have your say.
Take your cliche’ “ax to grind” stuff, along with your cliche’ type advice of go to “your doctor” and not the “internet” for health advice along with your worthless degree that will not do anyone any good with your close minded approach that says nutrition is not a part of regaining health somewhere else. As I said, we are here because there are no doctors to go to for healing. Pick any so called disease/health problem out there and tell me which one does not require good nutrition to heal and maintain health. As far as wasting my time further with you, forget it. Just do not say ……”It’s o.k. that you don’t agree with me.”……, and then accuse me of bulling you and ganging up on you with another member here. As far fetched as it seems to you, we actually have our own thoughts, experiences, health issues A Doctors saved my life too BUT I had to go to a second health minded MD who prescribed thyroid a suppressor drug while my thyroid healed back from very hyper as the first doctor just told me the only cure for me was to have my thyroid radiated away and to take thyroid meds for the rest of my life. NUTRITION was the main part that healed me, a change in diet, and herbal medicine. I myself found the herbals that gave me the necessary on the INTERNET. I would not be alive or at least the same today had it not been for the second doctor who also incorporated alternative treatment. The first doctor would have ruined my life, if not killed me. My thyroid functions fine now and to think had I just listened to the First REAL doctor, how I would have gone through the awful procedure of having my thyroid radiated away, I just do not believe that your life was saved twice and that NUTRITION was not a factor at all in healing in both of these cases. UNLESS one is able to find an alternative minded MD, it is not possible to heal from diseases. Even a broken bone/accident injury, after the ER part needs the right nutrition to heal while the cast holds stuff in place…… That’s all, no more wasting my good time with a nutritionist who says nutrition has nothing to do with healing, but you do what you want.
I only read 1st half of your clip and agree w/you. Nutrition is KEY. Suggest Read simple book called Folk Medicine. Although I have a library of many good books it would be too long of a list, but read up on acid alkaline balance and homeostasis. If I were to state what I will say here/now I may offend various people… I believe in God, and must say if you don’t I don’t care you have rite to believe what you want! Bible say gen 1:29. Behold I have given you every herb baring seed, & tree upon the face of all the earth, to you it shall be for meat! Meaning it is all you need period. At that time man lived to generally 900 years. My message is if you eat clean, raw (that is) mostly, and or 75/25 % foods you shall live healthier. This is tried and true. Also there is nutritionists that learn the establishment’s way, and their is the natural way, “more raw” eating. The degree?, well I do not agree with everything. Basically Man touched and changed things from their naturalness and it changed things. This changed so much for ex: naturally occurring amino acids, and all the antioxidants etc. etc. it causes changes that make the natural self healing body have difficulties. I don’t read my email, and I will not normally participate in these things. So I may not be heard of again after this. I studied the natural raw and/verses man made/touched enhanced food, and I discovered my own opinions. I learned stuff that made me not want to get a degree in nutrition and pay expensive for college to get small devalued nutritionist per the world, because we live in a time that people want to find a pill that fixes everything, and its nice that it is slowly changing back, one person at a time, but its not happening fast enough and not clean enough. I say read everything you can get your hands on until you learn to discern what is real and what is junk; use your library, and I can begin by stating look at just a few websites. http://www.not milk.com; http://www.theaimcompanies.com; and they will begin to direct you in a couple of important areas. Not to knock nutritionists, that is a beginning. I used to have a website but I am too busy now. Out, and good luck to all.
Thank you Alice!!! You are so right. Nutrition is key. Has anyone ever heard of the gut/brain connection. Our entire well being radiates outward from the gut. If our digestion is a mess it can and will affect our health in many other ways and I don’t mean in a good way.
Alice is completely correct that conventional doctors (most anyway) do not want to find the root problem, only treat the symptoms with some type of scary drug from Big Pharma. They were never trained in medical school about herbs and supplements. The nutrition aspect of their training was basically non-existent. Not to mention that our food supply doesn’t provide the nutrition we need due to all the crap they put on crops and give to animals/livestock. And lets not even get into the FDA because that’s a big joke and guess what??? The joke is on all the people out there who believe anything they say.
So thanks again Alice. I really appreciated your comment.
Sigh… Of course we have heard of the gut/brain connection. We have read what Chris has posted on this site, as well as quite a few people throughout this thread.
I object to your characterization of “Big Pharma” and the lack of proper FDA control when you say that Herbs and Supplements are the answer. That is just crazy. That industry is rife with a multitude of problems. It desperately needs regulation as it is now the wild wild west of snake oil and scams. Both industries have problems, big ones, but at least highly educated professionals are recommending the treatments.
We need to focus on diet. No amount of herbs, supplements or medications can make up for a bad diet.
Hi Alice, It’s o.k. that you don’t agree with me. Doctors, as I said previously, have saved my life twice. If you had read my previous posts, you would see that I have a background in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), homeopathy and nutrition. Doctors are no more infallible than practitioners of alternative medicine. Doctors also perform lifesaving procedures and surgeries. They are probably less fallible considering their education and practical application as licensed health care individuals.
The point that I have been trying to drive home is that there is no magic bullet. I don’t believe that doctors are responsible for all the ills of the world. There may come a time when all else fails that you will need a doctor to save your life.
My concern is that people don’t ONLY consider alternative forms of medicine and that there is a balance between the two to be considered.
It seems that you and Mr. Paleo have an ax to grind with me or anyone who may not completely agree with your way of thinking or methods. That makes for bullying in that you have decided to pile on, Alice. Mr. Paleo has already expressed his opinions and it is he that I had the original conversation with not you. It appears that you are just regurgitating Mr. Paleo’s patter. The amount of vitriol exhibited by both of you would certainly not win me over to the Paleo lifestyle choices.
I considered the matter closed as I do now when Deborah was kind enough to let me know her feelings and that she has taken recommendations from Mr. Paleo.
I am very sure that during his communication with Deborah that he confirmed with her that she has been seeking help from other doctors and a nutritionist. That is fine and I was relieved to learn that Deborah is using a balance of options.
The matter is closed now. So, I would appreciate it if both of you drop it.
Hi Deborah!
I am so happy that you are receiving help from multiple sources including alternative medicine. I am sure you are aware that not everything is helped by diet but I am a big believer in supplements as we take several whole food supplements in order to fill the gaps in our diet.
I certainly hope that you find the help you are looking for and I too support your vegetarian diet although we are not vegetarians, I was on and off over the years.
Thank you for you very kind words and I wish you all the best in life and your journey to better health.
Best of luck, Suzy
I_Fortuna, I quote YOU:
……….”What you are looking for now is something to deal with the symptoms but covering up the symptoms will not eradicate the illness or help you. I suggest that you don’t wait too long to find a qualified physician as doing so, could allow further damage to take place that may even be irreversible. Please don’t depend on the internet where your health is concerned.”……….
WHY are so many people looking for alternative health practicing people on the internet??? BECAUSE finding a “qualified physician” in the ‘doctor’ world is next to impossible. Our only hope is the FEW doctors who also do alternative (and they are far and few for sure) and good, open minded alternative doctors.. Your advice (which you claim NO one should give here) tells people to run to a system where the very thing that is done is “covering up the symptoms”. In plain words, your “qualified” doctors treat symptoms, NOT the cause. Have you bothered to check how many THOUSANDS of people die each year under the glorified pill pusher “qualified” doctor treatment that YOU recommend??? So stop recommending that we should not: ……….” wait too long to find a qualified physician as doing so could allow further damage to take place that may even be irreversible.”………. (AND regular doctors ARE glorified pill pushers). You should know that from stats….
You say Mr. Paleo and people like him are not doctors, that only qualified doctors can treat us BUT the opposite is true. We need the Mr. Paleo’s as your so called qualified doctors are not healing us. AND nutrition is a must part for any real healing. How stupid that cancer patients are fed high sugar diets devised by so called nutritionists while in the hospital for treatment and that kind of craziness just goes on and on.
There are those here who will defend mag stearate because they themselves are in the category of ‘glorified pill pushers’. They do not want to hear that there are people who cannot tolerate mag stearate because pushing their ‘supplements’ makes money for them under their disguise of being a good alternative doctor. Well, there are MANY bad alternative docs to say the least. The best doc is the Mr. Paleo type who does not fit your “qualified” doctor mold. Crazy part is that mag stearate is ONLY used for the machines. That’s right PAM, the machines cannot make the pills without mag stearate. (“Alice is right.”, not “wrong” as you stated. Don’t dance around with words by saying I am wrong because I said the pill machines need mag stearate which you call wrong because YOU say mag stearate is needed to make each pill uniform in ingredients. duh, same difference…..the capsule machine needs mag stearate oil to work just as I said.
As for mag stearate and science, the same JUNK science that found mag stearate OK is the same junk science that said there are no negative health effects from putting mercury & bad metals in tooth fillings. Those of you who proclaim mag stearate is harmless need to face reality. You need to figure out WHY some of us do not tolerate mag stearate instead of insisting that science says it’s OK.
For me, I have found a way to avoid the use of mag stearate. I find supplements without it. I buy bulk or find ones without it (they do exist) and if I need a drug prescription, I go with a compounding pharmacy.
I said this way back and will say it again. I would deduct the negative effects of mag stearate could be that it is high in histamine, or a high histamine producing substance. That would cause problems for histamine intolerant people.
Anil,
Your theory that exercise will eliminate the problem of heart palpitations does not work for me. For me, exercise caused me to get heart palps. HOWEVER, taking magnesium without mag stearate did allow me to resume my exercise without getting heart palps. I could do rigorous exercise without a problem after I started taking magnesium but I had to make sure it did not contain mag stearate. I grew up as a very active person, in college continued daily exercise and never stopped with long walks, bike rides, hiking, snow skiing, skating and daily activity until a road rage car accident caused a painful neck injury that zapped me. Then I started having problems with my daily exercise and through a chiropractor, found out that magnesium stopped the heart palps. Now it makes sense as the injury and pain caused my magnesium to get way too low. So magnesium brought me back to daily exercise. Studies show that nearly everyone is low in magnesium and that too low magnesium can affect the heart (and about any part of our body) very adversely. So taking magnesium helped you as it does for the general person with heart palp issues but for some reason, you don’t react to mag stearate as some of us do.
I see the OPEN minded people here who understand that there seems to be a problem with mag stearate for some people and I am seeing these open minded people being put down by close minded pill pushers who do this in the disguise of being alternative doc people. Why not oil EVERY supplement/drug with peanut butter. Why, it is Natural (not even processed like mag stearate) so no one should have problems with it. I mean, there are people so allergic to peanuts that just the smell of peanut butter makes them sick. BUT it is so All Natural…………….
Alice,
Thank you. It is interesting that Chris is not a “medical doctor” per se (he is a licensed acupuncturist who firmly believes in “alternative” medicine), and yet, Ms. Fortuna is here creating waves and making sweeping statements that ONLY DOCTORS are qualified as “healers”, when most have not had even four hours of nutritional training. And as any QUALIFIED person knows, nutrition is the basis of health… also, if no one has noticed, Chris doesn’t answer questions on his blog very often… so who is going to take up the slack ? I don’t see any DOCTORS volunteering… some of us care more about people than the bottom line.
Mr. Paleo, It seemed to me that you were interested in speaking to her privately and that is fine if she wishes to. I feel she should seek help from the medical establishment because she may have something more serious that cannot be addressed by diet alone.
I have stated that I believe you have helped people, my concern is that Paleo is not a cure all.
I did not accuse you of being a “glorified meal planner” LOL
I feel confident that you aren’t. But, I think it is unfair of you to call doctors or the medical establishment “glorified pill pushers” especially when you claim to work closely with the medical community. Apparently you have no respect for medical doctors and choose to place yourself above them which is why I can’t respect your words or bashing the medical community. That is your choice, however. Paleo is not a cure for everything as I have tried to point out.
I have been literally saved by doctors twice in my life for issues that had nothing to do with my diet. My husband has been saved by doctors too, again nothing to do with his diet. I will say, that my knowledge of nutrition helped him to recover.
I think your attitude is very unprofessional and you are not giving credit where credit is due.
I am glad you asked me why I am here. I am on a Paleo website in order to try and understand issues related to magnesium stearate and other dietary concerns. So far, in case you are interested, I have not seen anything that convinces me that Paleo is a healthy diet. The fact that you are defensive and rather aggressive is really telling.
I regret that you are upset that I disagree with you.
Well said!
Dear Mr. Paleo, I think you are getting little defensive. I agree that Deborah may be old enough to make her own decisions, I really don’t know her. I don’t think you are trying to drum up business. As you said, I don’t know you or your intentions
It is a fact that I too am well versed in nutrition, human physiology, Chinese Traditional Medicine and Homeopathy and have studied these for the past 30 years as well. It does not mean I would attempt to help someone over the internet or anywhere or derail them from seeing a qualified medical doctor.
I am sure you have helped many people as you say, I am not disputing that. I am concerned that Deborah’s assistance may be delayed by distractions that may lead her away from the help she seems to want and need.
I don’t know why you are taking this so personally, I should think as a professional that you would be glad that someone is offering reason over emotional reaction.
It is commendable that you work with doctors and other medical licensed practitioners which is why your number one point that being a doctor “does not necessarily qualify someone to be of assistance” surprises me.
I will say that it is true that certain people have been helped by non-traditional means and dietary changes may be helpful for Deborah and she apparently already has a nutritionist.
It is very certain that nutrition cannot always surmount illnesses that are rooted in genetics but I do believe good nutrition can serve to help many people and possibly prevent or delay illness that may be inevitable otherwise. I humbly think Paleo is not good or healthy nutrition and I am entitled to believe this.
So, I guess we will have to agree to disagree if that is o.k. with you.
Ms. Fortuna,
You really need to pay attention… in no way, shape , or form did I dissuade Deborah from seeking “qualified medical assistance”, quite the opposite, as I stated.
Also, you seem to confuse “nutritionists” with the old school (no longer true) RD “glorified meal planners”. We do a hell of a lot more than counsel people on “diet”…
If you do not understand that most “doctors” in this country are part and parcel of the “medical establishment”, and as such, are nothing more than glorified pill-pushers, I don’t see any reason to continue this conversation.
AND, why are you on a PALEO blogsite in the first place ?
Dear Ms. Fortuna,
1) Being a doctor does not necessarily qualify someone to be of assistance… most of my clients have seen dozens of “doctors” to no avail by the time they get to me…
2) You can “think” whatever you like about Paleo/Primal, but if you understood human physiology, human biochemistry, and human history, you might think differently…
3) I don’t twist anyone’s arm to consult with me… Deborah strikes me as being intelligent enough to make her own decisions, regardless of what you might think…
4) I have been “assisting” others for more than thirty years… and have assisted HUNDREDS of clients in that time, most with VERY serious conditions…
5) I work directly with several MEDICAL doctors, dentists, as well as other medical practitioners. Apparently, you are unaware that, as a nutritionist, I am bound by the same exact regulations as are all “medical” doctors, including issues of medical PRIVACY…
6) This is not my blog, and this column is about Mag stearate.
Well, Mr. Paleo, you do not know me either or Deborah. I think that it is nice you want to help, but I think it is inappropriate seeing that you are not a doctor and offering to communicate by private means. Sometimes, no matter how good one’s intentions are, by offering to assist you may be keeping someone from much needed qualified medical help that may be more urgent than we know.
Since your moniker is “Mr. Paleo”, it makes me a little leery that as an adherent of a “caveman” diet, a diet I consider a fad diet, that your ability to assist may be wanting.
No offense intended. I believe that only someone qualified should assist Deborah. This is my humble opinion.
Deborah,
I am not sure why you seek medical information on this site that is directly concerned with Mag stearate.
I understand that when one is in pain that it is very difficult to find help sometimes or to know where to look. I do think it is a mistake to try to get help on this site without the benefit of being seen in person by a qualified doctor. I don’t see how Mr. Paleo can help because, like your nutritionist, he will most likely tell you to change your diet, but there may be more serious systemic issues that need to be addressed.
In my opinion, it may be necessary to seek the help of a qualified licensed medical practitioner, i.e. a doctor of internal medicine.
There may be other physical issues at work that need to be addressed. What you are looking for now is something to deal with the symptoms but covering up the symptoms will not eradicate the illness or help you.
I suggest that you don’t wait too long to find a qualified physician as doing so, could allow further damage to take place that may even be irreversible.
Please don’t depend on the internet where your health is concerned.
Dear Ms. Fortuna,
You are correct, at least in one regard… I am not a medical doctor. Nor would I dismiss the need for a doctor’s input, and I have already advised such.
You do not KNOW me, so please refrain from any needless “commentary” until you do…
Arnold Wiseman on LinkedIn
Ms. Fontuna,
Thank you for your concern on my behalf as well as your rebuke for my “straying” from the topic of mag stearate to seek alternatives to OTC Aleve. I wanted to set your mind at ease, I have in fact seen a GP doctor, in fact more times recently than in many years. She is aware of my condition and medical maladies and has provided some treatment. However she is not holistic and does not have particular knowledge of supplements which is what I was looking for. Actually Arnold (Mr. Paleo) has been very helpful and that regard and I appreciate his advise. I did in fact purchase several of the things he suggested. You are correct that he is very committed to his belief in the benefits of the Paleo diet and likewise I am also equally as committed to my belief in the vegetarian diet for me. Actually there are things that both diets agree on and he sent me a very good article on just that. Since I would never eat meat, don’t even like it, he is not trying to “change my mind” (though he might like to) 🙂 Anyway, I am now OK with the advice and moving on to continue to improve my health, which does include both conventional doctors as well as alternative medicine and therapies. My best to you in your journey to health as well.
Ms. Fortuna my apologies … I misspelled your name. It was not intention. Sorry.
Deborah,
I’d be happy to continue this discussion offsite, if you wish…
Arnold ([email protected])