New study on magnesium stearate in gummies – legit or big supp bias?

I looked at the abstract. It's a small in vitro study, not even in humans. n=6 or something. Plus they used a weird buffer that doesn't mimic stomach acid. Magnesium stearate is one of the most studied excipients and generally regarded as safe. I wouldn't panic. But also, gummies in general have lower doses than capsules, so if you're deficient you might need something stronger. What's your goal with the multi?

I've been biohacking my stack for years and I avoid stearates like the plague. Not because of this one study, but because they can form a film that slows dissolution. But honestly, the bigger issue with gummies is the sugar and gelatin. If you're taking them for convenience, fine, but don't expect pharma-grade absorption. I switched to liquid softgels for my fat-solubles. Have you tried taking your gummy with a fatty meal? That might help.

Thanks for the input. My goal is just general health, not treating a deficiency. I usually take it with breakfast which has some peanut butter, so there's fat. But now I'm thinking about switching to a capsule multi. Any recs that don't break the bank? Also Adam, you mentioned in vitro – does that mean the results don't translate to real life at all?

In vitro means test tube. It's a starting point but often doesn't replicate human digestion. For example, the study didn't account for enzymes or gastric motility. So yeah, take it with a grain of salt. As for recs, I'd look for a USP-verified brand. Nature Made and Kirkland are cheap and pass third-party tests. But if you like gummies, just don't rely on them for everything. Maybe add a D3 softgel in winter. And OP, check the full text if you can – sometimes the conclusion is milder than the headline.