Glycerol Mono Stearate
Also known as: GMS, glyceryl monostearate, C21H42O4, Glycerol Monostearate
Overview
Glycerol Monostearate (GMS) is a monoester of glycerol and stearic acid, naturally occurring in fats and oils. Industrially, it is widely utilized as an emulsifier, thickening agent, and stabilizer in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products. In the context of dietary supplements, GMS is sometimes included for its emulsifying properties or as a carrier for other ingredients. However, direct research into GMS as a standalone ergogenic aid or health supplement is limited. Most scientific studies focus on its physicochemical characteristics and industrial applications rather than its direct effects on human health or performance. The current body of evidence regarding GMS supplementation is considered low, with a notable absence of systematic reviews or meta-analyses on its direct benefits in humans.
Benefits
Direct evidence for GMS supplementation benefits in humans is currently lacking. While related glycerol supplementation (not specifically GMS) has shown potential to improve aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance, these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to GMS. One randomized controlled trial (n=40) observed increases in aerobic capacity and anaerobic power over 20 days with glycerol supplementation, but this study did not use GMS. GMS itself is primarily studied for its physical and chemical properties, such as its role in forming oleogels and its adsorption characteristics on minerals, which are relevant for industrial applications but not for direct human health or performance benefits. There are no high-quality Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) or meta-analyses specifically on GMS supplementation for health or performance benefits.
How it works
As an emulsifier, Glycerol Monostearate (GMS) functions by reducing surface tension, thereby stabilizing mixtures of oil and water. In biological systems, GMS is absorbed and metabolized into its constituent parts: glycerol and stearic acid. Glycerol, the backbone of GMS, can act as an osmolyte and an energy substrate within the body. However, the specific bioavailability and metabolic fate of the monostearate ester form are less well characterized compared to glycerol itself. While GMS's physical properties allow it to form structured gels (oleogels) and interact with mineral surfaces through adsorption via van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding, these mechanisms are primarily relevant to its industrial applications rather than direct physiological effects as a supplement.
Side effects
Glycerol Monostearate (GMS) is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by regulatory agencies for its use in food products. At typical dietary and industrial exposure levels, there have been no significant adverse effects reported in the scientific literature. The available peer-reviewed clinical studies and safety assessments do not document any specific safety concerns, contraindications, or drug interactions associated with GMS. There are no special population warnings identified in the current literature. Overall, GMS exhibits a favorable safety profile based on its widespread use in food and pharmaceutical industries, with no documented reports of severe or frequent side effects.
Dosage
Due to the lack of clinical trials specifically investigating Glycerol Monostearate (GMS) as a dietary supplement, there are no established dosing guidelines for human consumption. In industrial and food applications, GMS is typically used in concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 3% as an emulsifier. While some exercise studies have utilized glycerol supplementation (not GMS) at doses around 1 gram per kilogram of body weight, this dosage cannot be directly extrapolated to GMS due to differences in chemical structure and metabolic pathways. Without specific research on GMS supplementation, any recommended dosage would be speculative. Therefore, upper limits and safety thresholds for GMS as a supplement have not been determined.
FAQs
Is GMS effective as an ergogenic aid?
No direct evidence supports GMS supplementation for performance enhancement. While glycerol alone has some evidence for ergogenic effects, GMS differs chemically and its efficacy has not been established.
Is GMS safe?
Yes, GMS is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and is widely used in food and pharmaceuticals with a good safety profile. No significant adverse effects have been reported at typical exposure levels.
How is GMS absorbed?
GMS is believed to be hydrolyzed into glycerol and stearic acid in the body. However, detailed human pharmacokinetics regarding its absorption and metabolism are not well studied.
Can GMS cause side effects?
No significant side effects have been reported for GMS at typical exposure levels in food and industrial applications. It has a favorable safety profile.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3590833/ – This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of glycerol supplementation (not GMS) on exercise performance in 40 subjects. The study found statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) in both aerobic capacity and anaerobic power over 20 days. While suggesting potential ergogenic benefits of glycerol, the findings cannot be directly applied to GMS due to the different chemical forms tested.
- http://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023AIPC.2667h0006A/abstract – This critical review focuses on the production methods of GMS, particularly emphasizing catalysis and industrial synthesis. It provides insights into the manufacturing processes and potential purity considerations of GMS, but it does not address its biological effects or efficacy as a human supplement.
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.4c04308 – This experimental study examined the adsorption properties of GMS on diatomite minerals, elucidating the physical and chemical mechanisms involved. The research is relevant for understanding GMS's behavior in industrial applications and formulation science, but it does not provide information on its effects or safety as a human supplement.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11049244/ – This comparative study analyzed the thermal and fatty acid profiles of oleogels formed using GMS and beeswax. The findings contribute to understanding GMS's role in food and pharmaceutical formulations, particularly its structural properties, but do not address its direct health effects or efficacy as a dietary supplement.