2EXCIPIENTS

Animal vs. Plant-Based Magnesium Stearate: What's the Difference?

2 min read

Essentials

Magnesium Stearate, a prevalent "inactive" ingredient in nootropics, can be sourced from both animal and plant origins, with the Stearate component determining its vegan status.*
Labels indicating "Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source)" don't guarantee vegan purity due to potential cross-contamination during processing.*

Reading convoluted nutrient and byproduct labels can often be confusing—and a little disconcerting. At least for most people. And Magnesium Stearate is one of those "inactive" ingredients commonly questioned.

So why is it in almost every nootropic out there? Where does it come from? And why does the source matter (especially for vegans and vegetarians)?

Animal vs. plant-based Magnesium Stearate.

At its core, Magnesium Stearate is a blend of Magnesium and Stearate. It's a "flow agent" in capsules that works as an inexpensive lubricant. In short, it stops the individual ingredients in a capsule from sticking to each other and the machine that makes the capsules.

While Magnesium Stearate can be vegan, it's more commonly sourced from non-vegan origins. Now, you may wonder: 'Why does this even matter to me?' Well, it matters for vegans, vegetarians, and many sustainability-conscious consumers.

Did you know?

The Magnesium part remains consistent, but the Stearate... that's where things get interesting. The Stearate determines whether the product is vegan or not.*

The Stearate can come from various sources—both animal and plant-based. Eggs, dairy, salmon, chicken, and beef naturally contain stearic acid, which can be used to derive Stearate.*

ANIMAL-BASED MAGNESIUM STEARATE		PLANT-BASED MAGNESIUM STEARATE
Typically Derived From Animal Fats Such as Beef, Chicken, Pork, Butter, and Lard	SOURCE	Typically Obtained From Plant Oils Like Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, and Sunflower Oil
Not Suitable Due to Animal Origin	VEGAN SUITABILITY	Suitable as It Comes From Plant Sources
May Involve Issues Related to Animal Farming and Welfare	ETHICAL CONCERNS	Generally More Acceptable, Though Some Concerns May Arise From Sourcing (e.g., Deforestation for Palm Oil)
Animal Farming Has a Higher Carbon Footprint and Involves Methane Emissions and Land Use Concerns	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT	Typically, a Lower Carbon Footprint Varies by Crop and Agricultural Practices, Such as Deforestation for Palm Oil
May Have Higher Potential in Some Due to Specific Animal Products	ALLERGENIC POTENTIAL	Generally Lower Risk, but May Vary Depending on the Specific Plant Source
May Contain Additional Animal-Derived Nutrients or Contaminants	ANIMAL-DERIVED	Usually Free From Animal-Derived Contaminants, but Composition Can Vary With Plant Source
Widely Used in Many Nootropics, Often Due to Lower Cost	NOOTROPICS AVAILABILITY	Increasingly Available as Demand for Vegan Products Grows, Though Might Be Slightly More Expensive
Typically as Magnesium Stearate Without Specifying the Source	LABELING	Often Specifically as Plant-Based or Vegan Magnesium Stearate

If the Stearate is derived from naturally occurring Stearic Acid from these animal sources, your favorite nootropic (or cosmetic product, processed food, etc.) is not vegan.

On the other hand, certain plants (like walnuts, cotton seed oil, palm oil, or coconut oil) also contain Stearic Acid. So, sourcing Magnesium Stearate from plants is possible.

Why 'vegetable source' doesn't always mean vegan.*

Now, here's the kicker. Just spotting 'Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source)' on a label doesn't give it an all-clear vegan pass. Another potential concern is cross-contamination during processing.*

Imagine a scenario where Magnesium Stearate gets processed on the same equipment as non-vegan products. That's like making a peanut-free product in a factory that handles peanuts. Not entirely foolproof, right?

As a vegan, carefully reading the ingredients and byproducts is important so that you know exactly what's going into your body.

Ethically sourced Magnesium Stearate. Is it possible?

In short: Yes. In fact, there's been a lot of buzz about ethically sourced Magnesium Stearate in nootropics.

With an increasing number of consumers concerned about animal welfare, sustainability, and the environmental impact of animal farming, the nootropic industry has seen a trend towards using plant-based ingredients, including Magnesium Stearate.

Ethical sourcing is no longer a 'nice-to-have' but a 'must-have.' And let's be honest, no one wants to be left behind. So, many nootropic brands are leaning into plant-based ingredients, not just for the ethical brownie points but in response to growing consumer demand for vegan and ethically sourced products.

Imagine what clean label excipients feel like

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents of this website do not constitute advice and are provided for informational purposes only. See our full medical disclaimer

Meet Our Experts

Chrissy Arsenault MBA, RDN, CPT

Author, Linkedin

Chrissy Arsenault is a Registered Dietitian with over a decade of experience specializing in the integration of high nutrient absorption and clean label innovation, surpassing conventional industry standards. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University, an MBA from Indiana University, and is a Certified Personal Trainer and powerlifting athlete. As a nationally recognized nutrition expert, she has been interviewed by top news outlets and counsels clients on a variety of health issues.