What are Liposomes?
Liposomes are not a new health fad; in fact, they have been around since 1961, when discovered by British haematologists Alec Bangham and R Home. Liposomes are microscopic particles, bound in a lipid layer, that bypass the digestive process and transport nutrients or medical drugs directly into the bloodstream for better cellular utilisation.
There are two unique components that make Liposomes stand out from the crowd.
- Firstly their structure. Their outer layer comprises of fatty substances called phospholipids, which are a significant component of our cell membranes. Their inner layer consists of water or oil, which acts as a transporter for nutrients such as vitamin C.
- Secondly their size. In the world of Liposomes size does matter and the smaller, the better. Good quality Liposomes are around 100 nanometres or less in size. A nanometre is a billionth of a metre so good luck trying to see that on a tape measure 😀. The size of the Liposome allows it to bypass the digestive process and be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mouth, stomach, intestines, skin or any mucous membrane within the body. The phospholipid layer allows the Liposome to incorporate themselves into cells and quickly release their inner core, thus allowing for higher cellular nutrient uptake.
Liposomal Absorption Verses Oral Absorption
Most people assume their gastrointestinal tract works properly to digest food and absorb nutrients effectively. Unfortunately, stress, drugs (recreation and medical), alcohol, chemical exposure, nutritional deficiencies, digestive disorders and an additive-rich, high sugar and white flour diet, all contribute to a reduced ability of the gastrointestinal tract to efficiently absorb nutrients from our food.
Some nutrients, in particular water-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin C and the B group vitamins, are poorly absorbed through the digestive tract. Whilst the beneficial gut bacteria can produce a wide range of B vitamins, our bodies cannot manufacture vitamin C, and it must be obtained from the diet, mainly from fruits and vegetables.
Studies have shown that vitamin C, encapsulated in a liposomal solution, bypasses the digestive process. It resulted in greater absorption and higher blood circulating levels and showed that vitamin C stayed in the blood longer than oral forms. [1] [2]
Oral vitamin C is vitamin C that is powdered, tableted or capsuled. The downside to oral vitamin C supplementation is that absorption seems to be dependent on dosage; with the higher the dose, the more significant the reduction in uptake. Studies show that 30mg of oral vitamin C has a 90% absorption rate, which drops to 70% for 180mg and less than 50% for oral intakes over 1000mg. [3]
Additional Health Benefits of Liposomes
Besides being an excellent carrier and delivery of therapeutic substances, the phospholipid layer of Liposomes plays an essential role in cellular health as they are critical to a cell's survival. Phospholipids help improve healthy brain function including memory, reasoning and learning. Also, phospholipids improve heart health by lowering triglycerides, cholesterol and improving heart rhythm. They have also shown to strengthen bone, improve testicular health and assist with cellular repair. [4]
Whilst Liposomal supplements may be slightly more expensive than oral supplements; they make a popular choice for the health-conscious amongst us due to;
- the benefits of a smaller dose
- the additional benefits of their phospholipid component
- a more significant therapeutic potential being provided
Hopefully, this article, 'Liposomes - Are They Really That Good' has given you an insight into what Liposomes are and how they can be of benefit to health.
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The information provided in this blog 'Liposomes - Are They Really That Good' is of a general nature and intended for educational purposes only. We make no claims to diagnose, treat, prevent, alleviate or cure illnesses or diseases with any information or product stated. With any health issue, we suggest you consult your healthcare professional before undertaking any health treatment.
