Magnesium
stearate, stearic acid and calcium stearate, made by
hydrogenating cottonseed or palm oil, are used throughout the
supplements industry as lubricants. They are added to the raw
materials in supplements so that production machinery will run
at maximum speeds. These fatty substances coat every particle
of the nutrients, so the particles will flow rapidly. This
ensures that production schedules will meet profit targets.
Cottonseed oil
has the highest content of pesticide residues of all
commercial oils; cotton crops are heavily sprayed. In the
hydrogenation process, the oil is subjected to high heat and
pressure in the presence of a metal catalyst for several
hours, creating a hydrogenated saturated fat. Hydrogenated
vegetable fats contain altered molecules derived from fatty
acids that may be toxic. The metal catalyst used in the
hydrogenation process may also contaminate the stearates
produced (see Erasmus, Fats and Oils).
While toxicity
is one problem, decreased absorption is another. In a study
published in the journal Pharmaceutical Technology, the
percent dissolution for capsules after 20 minutes in solution
went from 90% without stearates to 25% with stearates. This
delays the absorption of nutrients. Individuals with impaired
digestion may have particular difficulty absorbing nutrients
coated with stearates.
Another problem
with stearates: concentrated doses of stearic acid suppress
the action of T-cells, a key component of the immune system.
The article “Molecular basis for the immunosuppressive action
of stearic acid on T cells” appeared in the journal Immumology
in 1990.
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Companies that manufacture and
transport magnesium stearate must file a Material Safety
Data Sheet with the Environmental Protection Agency because
concentrated magnesium stearate is classified as a hazardous
substance.
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Its uses are
listed as “ammunition, dusting powder, paint and varnish
drier, binder, and emulsifier.” The section “Human Health
Data” states that “Inhalation may irritate the respiratory
tract” and “Acute ingestion may cause gastroenteritis.”
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Under the
heading “Regulatory Information,” the paper states, “This
product is hazardous under the criteria of the Federal OSHA
Hazard Communication Standard.” This information may be viewed
at the web site
www.hummelcroton.com/msds/mgstear_m.html
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Supplements
manufacturers pass off magnesium stearate as a benign form of
magnesium. Magnesium stearate is the magnesium salt of stearic
acid, which is also used in supplements for the same purposes.
The argument is made that small amounts of these substances do
no harm. But do you really want them in your supplements every
day? Remember, the sole purpose of using these substances is
to make the machines go faster. Supplements can be made
without them-it just takes more time, care, and attention to
detail.
Up to 5% of the average 1000 mg capsule or tablet is magnesium
stearate. That’s 50 milligrams. Suppose you take 8 capsules or
tablets a day. That’s 250 a month – or 12,500 mg of this
hydrogenated oil, nearly half an ounce. That works out to about
6 ounces of hydrogenated oils a year, from just 8 pills a day.
Many people take more supplements, and ingest pounds of this
toxic oil we try to avoid in our diets – while directly
inhibiting the utilization of the nutrients they’re
supplementing!
Remember, the sole purpose of using these oils is to make the
machines go faster. Supplements can be made without them – it
just takes more time, care and attention to detail. Our
exclusive process yields absolutely pure supplements – no
lubricants, binders, flowing agents, fillers, dyes or additives
of any kind – only the pure nutrients.
If you have any questions, please
contact us.
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