Magnesium stearate

Other Name(s):

Stearic acid; E 572; CAS# 557-04-0

Magnesium Stearate is made with magnesium with stearic acid. The most common source of stearic acid today is palm kernel oil, but it can also be derived from animal fats, rapeseed oil (aka canola), soya bean oil, sunflower seed oil, and even from petrochemicals.

Benefits: Why is Magnesium stearate used?

Flow Agent

Magnesium Stearate helps to bind powder ingredients together.

Common Excipient

Magnesium stearate increases the bioavailabitlity of active ingredients in medication and supplements.

Highly Effective

Only a miniscule amount of magnesium stearate is required in any formulation to reap its benefits.

No Obvious Alternatives

Magnesium stearate has been widely disputed however alternatives dont always work as effectively.

Learn more about Magnesium stearate:

On the Shelf: Which Products Use Magnesium stearate?

Magnesium Stearate is used in a very large number of herbal, nutritional, vitamin and mineral capsules, tablets and powders as an inactive ingredient. It can also be found in baby powders, makeup powders (foundation, bronzer, eye shadows, etc.).

Production: How is Magnesium stearate Made?

Magnesium Stearate is made by combining a mineral source of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide, with magnesium stearate isolated from a vegetable fat.

Interesting Fact: Magnesium stearate

Vegans and vegetarians may want to avoid magnesium stearate in cosmetics (and E572 in foods) unless it has been independently audited by an accredited third-party organisation like the Vegan Society. You can easily spot their logo - it’s a green sunflower. Similarly, people observing a strict Halal or Kosher diet may wish to avoid it unless it’s certified by an accredited third-party.

There is emerging scientific evidence to suggest that magnesium stearate can cause allergic reactions in very rare cases.

The FDA indicates that the average adult (weighing 68 kg) can safely consume 170 000 mg of magnesium stearate per day. Supplement manufacturers typically use a maximum of about 5% magnesium stearate as an inactive ingredient in capsule products. With the average capsule weighing just 500 mg in total, the average adult would need to consume 6800 capsules a day to reach the safe daily limit.