A growing number of people are suffering from health issues which could be due to magnesium silicate E553a(i) in their food. But what is magnesium silicate E553a(i) ? How is it related to other artificial substances? And why is it added to food production? We’ll try to answer all the questions related to a food additive called Magnesium Silicate E553a(i).
What is magnesium silicate?
Magnesium silicate is a mineral that occurs in nature as the mineral talc, which is often used in cosmetic products. It’s also found in the human body and can be an ingredient in dietary supplements.
Magnesium silicate may also be called magnesium hydroxide, magnesium aluminum silicate or magnesium aluminate. In addition to absorbing moisture, magnesium silicate has anti-inflammatory properties and may help relieve symptoms of allergies and asthma.
In cosmetics and personal care products, magnesium silicate is often added as a thickener or emulsifier to make products more creamy or smooth. It also helps with color retention and improves consistency of products like lotions and creams.
How is magnesium silicate made?
Magnesium silicate is a mineral that can be found in nature, but it is also produced synthetically. The manufacturing process of magnesium silicate will depend on its use.
For example, if you are looking to make a concrete, then there are different processes used to create the cement and concrete mix. In this case, the raw materials being used are limestone, clay and sand. The mixture of these three elements creates an artificial version of magnesium silicate.
Another way to manufacture this material is by using silicon dioxide (sand) and magnesium carbonate (magnesite). This type of material is known as portland cement and it is used in concrete production all over the world.
The process for making portland cement is fairly simple: it begins with heating up limestone until it becomes clinker. This creates lime kiln dust which consists of calcium oxide (lime) and silicon dioxide (sand). This mixture is then ground up using machines until it reaches a fine powder form; this is called “slag.” Next, slag and water are combined together at high temperatures in order to create slurry; this slurry is then poured into molds where it hardens into blocks with long bricks.
Properties
| Appearance | Fine white odourless powder |
| Other names |
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| CAS number | 1343-88-0 |
| Chemical formula | xMgO.ySiO2.zH2O, food grade complies with |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water |
What are the magnesium silicate used for?
Magnesium silicate is a compound that is used in many applications. The material is a common building material, as it can be used to make bricks and mortar. The compound can be used in many other ways, including:
Building materials – Magnesium silicate can be used as an ingredient in cement and concrete. It makes up about 10% of the Earth’s crust and is also referred to as magnesite or dolomite. The mineral is mined for use in building materials.
Mining – Magnesium silicate can be mined for use in construction materials and in the production of cement. The material is found at many different locations around the world, with deposits found near Iceland, China and Canada.
Building insulation – Magnesium silicate can be used as an insulation material when it’s treated with chemicals such as magnesium oxide (MgO). This gives it thermal resistance properties that make it ideal for use in walls packed with insulation pads or batts.
is magnesium silicate safe to eat?
Magnesium silicate is a compound that is commonly used in food processing and manufacturing. It has many uses, including as a thickening agent and a stabilizer for foods. It is also used as an additive to toothpaste, shampoos and facial cleansers.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows the use of magnesium silicate in food products under certain circumstances. For example, it can be used as an anticaking agent in table salt or baking powder.
FDA
Good manufacturing practice suggests it be used at levels not exceeding 2% in table salt to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
EFSA
As outlined in Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, magnesium silicate E553a(i) and magnesium trisilicate E553a(ii) are authorised food additives, categorized as “other than colours and sweeteners”.
Safety Re-evaluation in 2018
There was no indication of genotoxicity or developmental toxicity and no adverse effects were observed after silicate was absorbed. Despite this, its safety cannot be determined due to a lack of reliable data on subchronic and chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity.
Authorised Uses
The food below may contain it:
- Dried powdered foods
- Foods in tablet and coated tablet form
- Served with cheese slices and grated cheese, both hard and semi-hard
- Processed cheese
- Cheese products
- Table-top sweeteners in powder/tablets form
- Salt and salt substitutes
- Seasonings and condiments
- Food supplements supplied in a solid form or liquid form
- Chewing gum
- Dry powdered polyols
UK Food Standards Agency
The item is categorized as “Others”
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
The code number 553 indicates it is an approved ingredient in Australia and New Zealand.
JECFA
Function class: food additive, anticaking agent and filtering acid.
Acceptable daily intake: In 1982, ADI released a “not specific” set.
What are the side effects of magnesium silicate?
The most common side effects of magnesium silicate include:
Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common side effect of magnesium silicate. You may experience mild diarrhea or frequent bowel movements, especially when you first start taking it. Diarrhea is generally mild and goes away without treatment after a few days to weeks.
Constipation. Constipation is another common side effect of magnesium silicate. You may experience infrequent bowel movements or complete lack of bowel movements — this usually resolves on its own within a few days to weeks after starting treatment. If you have severe constipation that lasts longer than a few days after starting treatment, contact your doctor immediately.
Nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are less common side effects of magnesium silicate (occurring in less than 1 percent of people). If these symptoms occur, they tend to resolve within a few days to weeks after starting treatment.
How magnesium silicate form?
Magnesium silicate is a compound that occurs in nature as the mineral brucite and is also known as magnesite. Magnesium silicate is an ionic compound with a formula of Mg2SiO4. It is composed of magnesium and oxygen ions, which are connected together by the metal-oxygen bond. This compound has two different crystal structures, which are hexagonal and rhombohedral.
Many people believe that all rocks contain magnesium silicates because they are one of the most common minerals found on Earth. However, this is not true because only about 10% of all rocks contain magnesium silicates. The other 90% of rocks contain iron silicates or quartz (SiO2).
Magnesium silicates are formed by different processes such as chemical weathering, hydrothermal alteration and metamorphism. These processes all involve breaking down rocks into smaller pieces until they become fine grains or dust particles that we can see with our naked eye. Once these particles have been broken down into smaller pieces, they must be transported away from their original location so that new minerals can grow on them in order for them to be considered a new mineral deposit.
Is magnesium silicate harmful?
Magnesium silicate is a mineral that is formed by the combination of magnesium and silica. It is also referred to as “smectite” and is found in many different soils and rocks.
It is commonly used in medicine, cosmetics and food products because of its ability to absorb water, which makes it useful in treating constipation. It has also been used as an anti-diarrheal medication.
The FDA has approved magnesiun silicate for use in over-the-counter products such as antacids, laxatives, oral rehydration solutions and other medical uses.
Is magnesium silicate a silicone?
Magnesium Silicate is a group of silicates that are used in a wide range of industrial applications. It is a common ingredient in the production of adhesives, sealants, paint and coatings. Magnesium Silicate is also sometimes used as an additive for cosmetics, toothpastes and skin care products.
Magnesium Silicate is not silicone as it does not contain any silicone atoms. However, Magnesium Silicate can react with other compounds containing silicon to form silicone-like materials.
What is magnesium silicate benefits?
Magnesium silicate is a compound that combines the mineral magnesium with the oxide of silicon. It is used as an additive in food, medicines and cosmetics. Magnesium silicate can also be found naturally in plants, animals and humans.
Magnesium silicate benefits include helping to relieve constipation, reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure. This compound has also been shown to contribute to the prevention of colon cancer by preventing the formation of tumors.
Magnesium Silicate Benefits for Humans
The human body needs magnesium to support a number of functions, including:
- Bone health – Magnesium helps maintain bone strength by ensuring proper absorption of calcium. Magnesium deficiency can result in osteoporosis or weakened bones.
- Heart health – Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure levels and supports cardiac muscle function. Magnesium deficiency may lead to high blood pressure and heart disease due to reduced blood flow through arteries.
- Neurological function – Magnesium plays an important role in nerve transmission by facilitating muscle contraction and relaxation throughout the body. A lack of magnesium can result in seizures or other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
- Metabolism – Magnesium is required for proper metabolic function, especially carbohydrate metabolism within cells.”
Is magnesium silicate safe during pregnancy?
Magnesium silicate is a type of magnesium. Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for healthy functioning of the heart, muscles and nerves in the body. It is also needed to help maintain normal bones, protein and carbohydrate metabolism and blood pressure.
The amount of magnesium in your body can be increased by taking supplements or eating foods rich in this mineral.
Magnesium silicate is a food additive used as a thickening agent in foods such as ice cream, yogurt and peanut butter. It is also used as an emulsifier to help blend liquids together without separating them into layers.
This additive is considered safe for most people when used as directed. However, it can cause some side effects if taken in large amounts or if you have certain health conditions, such as kidney disease or diabetes.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using any supplement or medication containing magnesium silicate.
Is magnesium silicate the same as talc?
Magnesium silicate is a mineral, but it is not talc. Talc is a mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate minerals, but it is not the same as magnesium silicate.
Magnesium silicate is a naturally occurring mineral that forms in the earth’s crust. It has many uses in industrial applications and can be used as an ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products.
There are two types of talc: magnesium silicate and magnesium trisilicate. Magnesium silicate is the most common form of talc, and it is the type used in cosmetics. Talc is also a naturally occurring mineral that forms in the earth’s crust. It has many uses in industrial applications and can be used as an ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products.
Both magnesium silicate and talc are composed of hydrated magnesium silicate minerals and have similar physical properties such as hardness, density, color and luster.” The two are both used to absorb moisture and help products feel smooth on skin. But because of the presence of water in talc, it can be absorbed through the skin and into the body. This means that talc may pose health concerns for babies and young children who use products containing talc on their skin.
By contrast, magnesium silicate does not contain any water, so it’s unlikely that it would be absorbed through your skin. This makes it safer than talc for use in baby powders and other cosmetic products intended for use by young children or babies.
Is magnesium silicate same as magnesium stearate?
Magnesium stearate is an inorganic compound that is derived from magnesium and stearic acid. The chemical formula for magnesium stearate is Mg(C18H35CO2)2. Magnesium silicate is the inorganic compound with the formula Mg2Si2O5(OH)4.
The two compounds share a similar molecular structure and are often confused. However, there are some differences between magnesium silicate and magnesium stearate that make it possible to distinguish between them.
The first difference between these two compounds is their solubility in water.
Magnesium silicate has a solubility of 0.001 g/L while magnesium stearate has a solubility of 0.0005 g/L at 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). This means that magnesium silicate dissolves more readily than magnesium stearate in water at room temperature.
The second difference between these two compounds is their use.
Magnesium silicate is a chemical compound that consists of magnesium, silicon and oxygen. It can be used as a drying agent in some foods and cosmetics. In addition to its role as a drying agent, magnesium silicate may serve other functions in food products such as improving shelf life and preventing spoilage.
Magnesium stearate is also a chemical compound that consists of magnesium and stearic acid. It is often used as an anti-caking agent to prevent powdered substances from clumping together when stored or transported. Magnesium stearate is also commonly added to foods as a lubricant for machinery used during processing.
Both magnesium silicate and magnesium stearate are ingredients that can be found in food, cosmetics and other products. They’re also both naturally occurring minerals, but that’s where the similarities end.
Is magnesium silicate the same as silica?
The answer is no. The difference between magnesium silicate and silica is that magnesium silicate is a form of silica. It’s not just any form of silica, though. Magnesium silicates are a group of silicates with a formula Mg2(SiO3)4-xH2O where x is between 0 and 4. Silica, which is SiO2, is one type of magnesium silicate.
Silica isn’t always pure silicon dioxide; it usually has other elements mixed in with it. For example, there’s also quartz which contains silicon dioxide but also some aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Quartz has a high melting point so it’s often used for high-temperature applications like glassmaking or things like pottery kilns.
There are many different kinds of magnesium silicate compounds and they come in all sorts of colors: white, gray and green just to name a few!
What is the price of magnesium silicate?
The price of magnesium silicate is directly related to the price of the other products it is used in. If you are purchasing it to use in your own product, then you can expect to pay a higher price. However, if you are purchasing it for resale purposes, then you may be able to get a better deal on the price.
The cost of magnesium silicate will vary depending on what type of product you want it for and how much you need. If you need a small amount of this product for one project, then the cost will be less than if you needed a large amount for multiple projects. The cost will also be affected by the type of company that sells the product and whether or not they offer discounts for bulk purchases or other incentives for repeat customers.
The average price of magnesium silicate is around $2 per pound and up depending on where you purchase it from and what type of product or project you are making with it. For example, if you are buying this material for use in concrete mixes or another building material like plasters, then expect to pay about $1 per pound.
Where to buy magnesium silicate?
Magnesium silicate is a mineral that is found in many different places. It is most commonly used as a filler in cosmetics, paint, and other products. It can also be used for making glass and cement. It is also found in clay, sand, and soil.
Magnesium silicate can be bought at many different locations online (e.g., Amazon, Ebay, etc.) or in stores. You may want to check your local hardware store or home improvement store for this product if you do not want to order it online. The price of magnesium silicate will depend on where you buy it from as well as the quantity that you need. You may need to order a case of magnesium silicate if you are just starting out making your own cosmetics or other products.
Conclusion
In this blog we learned what is magnesium silicate and summarize some of the research available around it. This is so that you can have all the information you need when it comes to this ingredient in food. Hopefully you are now better informed about magnesium silicate, and perhaps have even started to see that it is not as simple ingredient as many people think.
