# Magnesium Myristate **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/magnesium-myristate **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-04-04 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Mineral **Also Known As:** Magnesium tetradecanoate, Myristic acid magnesium salt, Magnesium salt of tetradecanoic acid, Tetradecanoic acid magnesium salt, Mag myristate ## Overview Magnesium myristate is the magnesium salt of myristic acid, a saturated C14 fatty acid, primarily used as an excipient and emulsifier in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. No peer-reviewed clinical trials support its use as an oral supplement for health benefits, distinguishing it sharply from bioavailable magnesium forms such as magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate. ## Health Benefits • No clinical health benefits documented - the available research contains no peer-reviewed clinical trials or therapeutic studies • Limited to cosmetic applications - current evidence only supports use as an emulsifier and thickening agent in topical formulations • No biomedical efficacy data - absence of RCTs, meta-analyses, or clinical evidence for any health claims • Potential magnesium supplementation - theoretical benefit as a magnesium source, but no bioavailability or absorption data available • Topical tolerance - considered safe for cosmetic use with rare allergic reactions, though this is not a health benefit per se ## Mechanism of Action Magnesium myristate functions through the ionic dissociation of the magnesium salt of myristic acid (tetradecanoic acid), where the fatty acid component interacts with lipid bilayers to provide emulsifying and film-forming properties in topical matrices. Unlike bioactive magnesium compounds, there is no established mechanism by which orally administered magnesium myristate activates NMDA receptors, ATP-dependent enzymes, or magnesium-dependent cofactor pathways at therapeutically relevant concentrations. The myristic acid moiety, if absorbed, would enter beta-oxidation or be incorporated into membrane phospholipids, but no clinical pharmacokinetic data confirm meaningful magnesium bioavailability from this salt form. ## Clinical Summary As of current literature, there are zero published peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials, observational studies, or pharmacokinetic studies evaluating magnesium myristate as an oral supplement in human subjects. All documented applications appear exclusively in cosmetic science literature, where it is studied as a thickening agent and emulsifier in topical formulations rather than as a therapeutic compound. No quantified outcomes for serum magnesium elevation, muscle function, [cardiovascular](/ingredients/condition/heart-health) markers, or any biomedical endpoint have been reported. The complete absence of clinical trial data means no evidence-based dosage, efficacy claim, or therapeutic indication can be responsibly assigned to this compound. ## Nutritional Profile Magnesium Myristate is a magnesium salt of myristic acid (tetradecanoic acid), a 14-carbon saturated fatty acid. As a cosmetic/industrial compound rather than a dietary ingredient, its nutritional profile is highly limited. Molecular composition: approximately 7-8% elemental magnesium by molecular weight (Mg: ~24.3 g/mol within molecular weight of ~535 g/mol for the dimagnesium salt form). Fatty acid component: myristic acid chains (C14:0 saturated), constituting approximately 90%+ of molecular mass. Macronutrient classification: falls under lipid/fatty acid category due to myristate chains, but is not a dietary fat source in conventional use. Micronutrient relevance: theoretical magnesium content exists structurally, but bioavailability via topical or ingested routes is not clinically established; transdermal magnesium absorption from cosmetic-grade compounds is considered negligible to minimal based on current dermal absorption research. No fiber, protein, carbohydrate, or vitamin content. No documented bioactive phytochemical compounds. Caloric contribution: not established or applicable in cosmetic context. If incidentally ingested in trace cosmetic amounts, myristic acid is a known dietary saturated fatty acid found naturally in coconut oil (~18%) and palm kernel oil (~16%), but quantities from cosmetic exposure are nutritionally insignificant. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosage ranges for magnesium myristate are documented in the available research. The only usage reference is a 'highest usage in residency products' of 0.256, which relates to cosmetic formulations rather than clinical dosing. Without clinical trial data, no evidence-based dosage recommendations can be provided. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Because no human clinical trials exist for oral magnesium myristate supplementation, a formal safety profile including dose-response relationships and adverse event frequencies has not been established. Topical use in cosmetics is generally considered safe at approved concentrations per regulatory bodies such as the EU Cosmetics Regulation, but this does not extrapolate to oral or systemic safety data. Potential interactions with medications that depend on magnesium homeostasis—such as digoxin, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, or bisphosphonates—cannot be assessed due to the lack of bioavailability data. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should avoid supplemental use given the complete absence of reproductive safety studies. ## Scientific Research The research dossier contains no peer-reviewed clinical trials, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, or PubMed PMIDs evaluating magnesium myristate for therapeutic use in humans. The available sources focus exclusively on its cosmetic and industrial applications rather than clinical efficacy or safety studies in biomedical contexts. ## Historical & Cultural Context No information regarding historical use in traditional medicine systems is provided in the available research. Magnesium myristate appears to be a modern synthetic ingredient developed for cosmetic and industrial applications rather than a traditional medicinal substance. ## Synergistic Combinations Not applicable - no synergistic ingredients identified due to lack of clinical research ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is magnesium myristate used for? Magnesium myristate is primarily used as an emulsifier, thickening agent, and slip modifier in cosmetic and pharmaceutical topical formulations. It is not used as a therapeutic oral magnesium supplement due to the absence of clinical evidence supporting bioavailability or health benefits in humans. ### Is magnesium myristate a good source of magnesium? Magnesium myristate is not recognized as a viable dietary magnesium source because no pharmacokinetic studies have measured its magnesium bioavailability in humans. Established bioavailable forms such as magnesium glycinate, magnesium citrate, and magnesium malate have published absorption data and clinical trial support, making them far preferable choices for correcting magnesium deficiency. ### Does magnesium myristate have any health benefits? No peer-reviewed clinical trials or controlled studies document any health benefits of magnesium myristate when taken as a supplement. Unlike other magnesium salts studied for cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal benefits, magnesium myristate has no biomedical efficacy data and no established therapeutic mechanism of action in humans. ### Is magnesium myristate safe to take as a supplement? The oral safety of magnesium myristate has not been evaluated in human clinical trials, meaning no established tolerable upper intake level, adverse event profile, or drug interaction data exists for supplemental use. While its cosmetic topical use is regulated and broadly considered safe, this finding cannot be extrapolated to confirm oral supplementation safety for any population. ### How does magnesium myristate differ from other magnesium supplements? Unlike magnesium glycinate, which is chelated for enhanced intestinal absorption via peptide transporters, or magnesium citrate, which achieves roughly 30% elemental absorption in clinical studies, magnesium myristate has no documented absorption data and no established role as a nutritional supplement. It is structurally a salt of a long-chain saturated fatty acid rather than an amino acid or organic acid chelate, placing it outside the category of recognized bioavailable magnesium supplement forms. ### What is magnesium myristate actually used for in commercial products? Magnesium myristate is primarily used as an emulsifier and thickening agent in cosmetic and topical skincare formulations rather than as an oral supplement. It helps stabilize and improve the texture of creams, lotions, and powders in beauty products. There is no established use of magnesium myristate in oral dietary supplements due to lack of clinical evidence supporting systemic bioavailability or health benefits. ### Why is magnesium myristate not recommended as a dietary magnesium supplement? Magnesium myristate contains a myristic acid salt compound that does not have peer-reviewed clinical evidence demonstrating oral absorption or magnesium bioavailability in humans. Unlike well-studied magnesium forms such as magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate, there are no biomedical efficacy studies, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses supporting its use as a supplemental source of magnesium. For dietary magnesium supplementation, established forms with documented absorption and clinical safety profiles are more appropriate choices. ### Can magnesium myristate from topical products contribute to magnesium intake? Magnesium myristate in topical cosmetic applications is not intended for systemic absorption and does not serve as a reliable source of dietary magnesium. The skin barrier limits meaningful penetration of this compound, and any absorption would be minimal and unpredictable compared to oral supplementation. For magnesium supplementation, oral forms with documented bioavailability are necessary rather than relying on transdermal exposure from cosmetic products. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*