What are liposome supplements?

Liposomal dietary supplements

The market for nutritional supplements is growing rapidly but many active ingredients (vitamins, minerals, etc.) have low bioavailability, especially when taken in high doses – the term bioavailability refers to the rate of absorption of a nutrient into the bloodstream.

Bioavailable forms

Many vitamin C supplements – dry or effervescent tablets – may contain up to 1 gram but the body absorbs about 10% of this dosage. However, liposome supplements are much more bioavailable. When vitamin C is enclosed in a liposome, it is delivered to the body’s cells without part of it being lost through digestion or degraded due to its oxidation [1].

What is a liposome?

A liposome is a tiny vesicle that contains an outer layer of fat. It may contain a medicinal substance or a nutrient. These vesicles are made from the same type of fat (phospholipids and cholesterol) found in the membranes of human cells.

The structure of the liposome

The liposome has a double lipid layer in the shape of a concave sphere and encloses an aqueous portion. A nutrient can be encapsulated in it, either in the aqueous portion (if water soluble / hydrophilic) or in the lipid bilayer (if it is fat soluble / lipophilic). The contents of the liposome are protected from stomach acids and absorbed by the small intestine.

Liposomal technology

Liposomes are made from the same fats that are present in cell membranes, so they are easily absorbed. Once absorbed, they can be broken down and released into the bloodstream. They are in fact specialized component delivery vehicles. Liposomal technology has been used by the pharmaceutical industry since the 1960s. Drug release occurs when the outer shell ruptures, which can occur extracellularly or intracellularly. The technology has been used as a system for vaccines and gene therapies.

What do the surveys show?

Liposomal supplements can be extremely helpful in increasing the absorption of nutrients. According to research, traditional supplements such as pills and capsules offer, on average, only 10% of the vitamins and minerals they contain. Some clinical studies have shown a significant increase, up to 5-8 times, in the bioavailability of vitamins, minerals and herbal substances when encapsulated in liposomes.

Absorption of active substances and vitamins

For example, glutathione benefits dramatically from liposomal compositions. Also, curcumin, a yellow anti-inflammatory polyphenolic substance found in turmeric, has low bioavailability due to its poor water solubility and rapid elimination from the body but its liposomal encapsulation can increase its absorption by 10 times.

Liposome technology is extremely suitable for a water-soluble antioxidant such as vitamin C. In a study involving 11 people, oral administration of 4 g. of vitamin C encapsulated in liposomes increased the concentration in the blood to 10.3 ± 0.9 mg / dL after three hours while the concentration of unencapsulated vitamin C was 7.6 ± 0.4 mg / dL [2]. Another study in 20 people found almost three times the absorption of liposomal vitamin C.

Forms of liposomal formulas

A liposomal formula exists as a liquid nutritional supplement that provides an environment of water, vital for the immediate formation of these spherical fat structures that encapsulate the active substance. Products that are not in a liquid formula (such as powders, capsules or tablets) do not provide the water environment that allows the immediate formation of liposomes.

When is the best way to absorb nutrients?

It should be noted that the smaller the liposomes, the better the absorption of nutrients. A study comparing liposome sizes found that cell uptake increased 9-fold when liposome size decreased from 236 nm to 97 nm. In fact, the absorption was 34 times higher at 64 nm.

As this method results in a huge advantage in the absorption of nutrients, there is no doubt that its use by the food supplement industry will increase rapidly in the coming years [3].

At Vita4you.gr you will find a variety of supplements with liposomal formulas!

References

1. Liposomes for Enhanced Bioavailability of Water-Insoluble Drugs: In Vivo Evidence and Recent Approaches.
2. Liposomal-encapsulated Ascorbic Acid: Influence on Vitamin C Bioavailability and Capacity to Protect Against Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury.
3. Liposomes as Advanced Delivery Systems for Nutraceuticals.