Connecting Health: Magnesium Stearate & Immune System Interactions?

Magnesium Stearate, a standard 'inactive' ingredient in many nootropics (and other dietary supplements), has been the talk of the industry regarding its safety and potential health risks.

While most studies are still in the early stages, every day, we learn more about Magnesium Stearate's effects on our brain system (head, heart, and gut) and body.

Typically, most ongoing research focuses on Magnesium Stearate and how it may negatively impact nutrient absorption. However, there is some evidence suggesting that Magnesium Stearate may also affect the immune system.*

So, what does the research say about the effects of Magnesium Stearate on our body's defenses? Here’s what we know and why we at HCF® decided to skip this additive from our advanced nootropics.

What's the buzz about Magnesium Stearate?

Recently, there has been a lot of debate about how Magnesium Stearate may suppress T-cell function in the immune system and cause the collapse of cell membrane integrity in helper T cells.*

But is there any truth to these claims? Because evidence suggests otherwise. In fact, the truth is that these claims originate from misinterpreting a mice study on Stearic Acid—not Magnesium Stearate.*

(!) It's important to note that mice, the subjects of the study in question¹, lack the stearoyl-CoA desaturase enzyme in their T cells. But humans have it, and it's responsible for desaturating Stearic Acid.*

This simple distinction significantly reduces the study's relevance to humans, suggesting that Stearic Acid is, in fact, safer to ingest than suggested by the mice study.*

Is our immune system throwing a fit?

The 1990 study published in Immunology analyzed the effects of Stearic Acid on T cells.¹ Researchers found that stearic acid led to a rapid collapse of membrane integrity in T cells.*

However, this effect was specific to the conditions of the study and does not necessarily translate to the effects of consuming Magnesium Stearate in nootropics.*

To further complicate matters, online sources picked up the information, claiming that Magnesium Stearate may suppress the immune system. This claim was based on laboratory results showing that large amounts of stearic acid damaged T-lymphocyte cell membranes.*

Yet, these lab conditions don't mirror the internal environment when ingesting typical amounts of Stearic Acid. Let alone the even smaller amounts of Magnesium Stearate.*

So, the Magnesium Stearate in nootropics can be safe, right?

Yes and no. Yes, there is a legitimate argument that the trace amounts of Magnesium Stearate in nootropics may not affect your immune system, however it still hasn't escaped scrutiny.*

Magnesium Stearate is one of the most widely used additives in today's nootropics (and other dietary supplements).

Here's the gist: While fillers and bulk additives like Magnesium Stearate are commonly used in nootropics, their nutritional contribution is still debated.*

We choose not to include Magnesium Stearate due to our rigorous selection criteria.

At HCF® we prioritize product integrity and consumers' health. That's why we've chosen to exclude Magnesium Stearate as a bulking agent from our advanced nootropics. While the claim that Magnesium Stearate may negatively affect the immune system may not be substantiated, that doesn’t mean this additive is not without controversies.*

As part of our 7 Advances®, we are fully committed to Purity, Transparency & Safety you can trust. That means not just avoiding unnecessary fillers, binders, and additives, but also a focus on just natural, recognizable, and premium neuro-nutrient forms.*