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The Effect of Magnesium Stearate on Nutrient Uptake

Used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical drugs, magnesium stearate is a flowing agent excipient that has a potentially adverse effect on the absorption of active nutrients in drugs, according to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).

  1. Function

    • Although safe for consumption, excipients such as fillers, flowing agents, lubricants and binders aid in the manufacturing process. Magnesium stearate functions as a flowing agent that speeds up the manufacturing process of drug tablets, coating nutrients with a layer of saturated fat.

    Nutrient Absorption

    • Oral pharmaceuticals function by entering the small intestine, dissolving and absorbing into the blood stream by passing through the wall of the intestine, also called the intestinal epithelium. Flowing agents such as magnesium stearate interfere with the process of dissolution and, therefore, absorption.

    Effects

    • A case study supplied by the USP showed that a tablet containing 0.5 percent magnesium stearate excipient could be dissolved up to 98 percent and as low as 93 percent, depending on the mixing time and the surface area of the tablet. Nutrients on their own will undergo 100 percent absorption by the small intestine.

    Alternatives

    • Flowing agents such as magnesium stearate aren't essential to the manufacture of drugs, and drugs using safer excipients, such as magnesium citrate, silicone dioxide and titanium dioxide, are available. Capsules generally contain fewer excipients than tablets.

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