Liposomal: How it works and what advantages it offers

Many people are concerned about their health. The right nutrition plays a central role in this.

Your body needs energy, minerals and an adequate supply of vitamins for processes such as energy production, oxygen transport and the immune system to function. A permanent deficiency can impair these processes.¹

Since there are over 25 essential nutrients, it is often difficult to cover everything regularly in everyday life. That's why many people turn to dietary supplements.

But not every product is equally effective: The decisive factor is bioavailability, i.e. how well the absorption and utilization in the body succeeds. Liposomal formulations can enable higher bioavailability.²³

What does liposomal mean and how does it work?

A liposome is a microscopic vesicle consisting of phospholipids. The lipids have a hydrophilic and a lipophilic end and are arranged in a double membrane. This gives liposomes the advantage that they can encapsulate both water-soluble and fat-soluble substances.⁴

In the production of liposomal dietary supplements, the nutrients are encapsulated in liposomes. Since human cells are also enclosed by a double lipid membrane, this method has some decisive advantages.⁵

The nutrient, protected by the liposome, passes through the stomach and is then absorbed through the intestinal lining. The vesicle can then fuse with human cells. This way, the nutrient reaches exactly where your body needs it.⁶⁷

But where does liposomal technology come from?

In the mid-1960s, it was discovered that phospholipids spontaneously arrange themselves in water to form spherical vesicles. Subsequently, liposomes were intensively researched as a drug delivery system.⁸⁹

In the 1990s, the first liposome-based drugs appeared.⁹ For several years now, this principle has also been used for vitamins, herbal extracts and other nutrients. The aim of liposomal formulation is to increase bioavailability and make dietary supplements more stomach-friendly.²³⁶

Advantages of Liposomal Supplements

Probably the biggest advantage of liposomal technology is the increased absorption of micronutrients.²³ Thanks to the protective phospholipid membrane, the active ingredient passes through the digestive tract and is then absorbed in the intestine. There it is released directly to the cells.⁶⁷

Especially substances with low bioavailability can benefit from this. Studies show that the liposomal form of glutathione has 64x higher absorption than other oral forms of intake.³ Liposomal curcumin is also absorbed significantly better compared to curcumin in capsule or powder form.

See studies

In addition, liposomal encapsulation can reduce the direct contact of certain active ingredients with the gastrointestinal mucosa. This is particularly relevant for minerals such as iron, zinc or magnesium, which can cause digestive problems in many people. ¹⁰ ¹¹ ¹² ¹³ ¹⁴

For liposomal or phospholipid-based iron, there is evidence of better gastrointestinal tolerability compared to conventional iron forms. Therefore, such formulations can be a more tolerable alternative for sensitive individuals.¹⁰ ¹⁴ ¹⁵

If you want to absorb as much of an active ingredient as possible, there are specific rules for each nutrient. It is best to take iron with vitamin C, as this improves absorption. Magnesium should not be taken in combination with calcium, as they can inhibit each other.¹⁶ ¹⁷ ¹⁸

Due to the liposomal compound, the body no longer absorbs the active ingredients exclusively via specialized transport pathways. Instead, they are also absorbed through the interaction of the liposomes with the intestinal mucosa. In theory, interactions in nutrient complexes based on liposomes are therefore less decisive and bioavailability can be better.²³⁶⁷

See nutrient complexes

Which Nutrients Particularly Benefit from Liposomal Form?

There are nutrients that have high bioavailability from the outset. Encapsulating these substances liposomally would therefore only offer limited benefits. Conversely, there are also active ingredients with a bioavailability that approaches zero. In these cases, the liposomal compound can make all the difference.

But which active ingredients are these?

Curcumin

This secondary plant compound is almost insoluble in the intestine. A large part is therefore simply excreted by the body.¹⁹ Liposomal formulations show significantly higher bioavailability, a faster effect, and often with a lower dose.

Curcumin Study

Astaxanthin

The carotenoid is fat-soluble and therefore difficult to digest without additional fat intake. In a liposomal formulation, astaxanthin is encapsulated, resulting in a higher absorption rate.⁶ ²¹ ²²

Coenzyme Q10

The body's own coenzyme is not only lipophilic and therefore difficult for the body to absorb. It also has an above-average molecular size. The advantage of liposomal CoQ10 is that blood levels rise faster and higher than with conventional products.²² ²³

Q10 Study

Glutathione

The body's own antioxidant is rapidly broken down in the gastrointestinal tract and is therefore hardly available orally. Encapsulating the active ingredient in a liposome can increase bioavailability.²⁴ ²⁵

Glutathione Study

Vitamin D3 K2

Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble substance. The advantage of liposomal D3 K2 is that the need for combination with fat is eliminated. This means the vitamins can be taken independently and at any time.⁶ ²⁶ ²⁷ ²⁸ ²⁹ ³⁰

D3 Study

How to Ensure Your Product is Genuinely Liposomal

There are some clues that tell you whether it is a truly liposomal vitamin, mineral or trace element. You can usually assume that liposomal versions are liquid. During the drying process, the liposomes break down, so liposomal encapsulation is not possible in powder form.³¹ ³² ³³

Another indicator is the taste. Liposomes consist of phospholipids, which have a lipophilic head. A liposomal product therefore inevitably has an oily, nutty taste. There are supplements with flavor, but the inherent taste is unmistakable and can still be tasted.⁴ ⁵

What does that mean for you?

Liposomal dietary supplements offer you several undeniable advantages. They can significantly improve nutrient absorption, protect sensitive active ingredients, and reduce stomach problems.

For substances like curcumin, astaxanthin, coenzyme Q10, glutathione, and vitamins such as D3 and K2, liposomes can significantly increase bioavailability. The absorption of liposomal trace elements is often much more stomach-friendly. Substances like iron or magnesium, which cause problems for many people, can be taken without discomfort.

Sources:

*¹ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2006.

https://doi.org/10.17226/11537

*² Davis JL, Paris HL, Beals JW, et al. Liposomal-encapsulated ascorbic acid: Influence on vitamin C bioavailability and capacity to protect against ischemia–reperfusion injury. Nutrition and Metabolic Insights. 2016;9:25–30.

https://doi.org/10.4137/NMI.S39764

*³ Sinha R, Sinha I, Calcagnotto A, Trushin N, Haley JS, Schell TD, Richie JP Jr. Oral supplementation with liposomal glutathione elevates body stores of glutathione and markers of immune function. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018;72:105–111.

https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2017.132

*⁴ Bozzuto G, Molinari A. Liposomes as nanomedical devices. International Journal of Nanomedicine. 2015;10:975–999.

https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S68861

*⁵ Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Raff M, Roberts K, Walter P. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th ed. New York: Garland Science; 2002. Chapter 10: Membrane Structure. Available from:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26871/

*⁶ Mozafari MR, Khosravi-Darani K, Borazan GG, Cui J, Pardakhty A, Yurdugul S. Encapsulation of food ingredients using nanoliposome technology.International Journal of Food Properties. 2008;11(4):833–844.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10942910701648115

*⁷ He H, Lu Y, Qi J, Zhu Q, Chen Z, Wu W. Adapting liposomes for oral drug delivery. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B. 2019;9(1):36–48.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsb.2018.06.005

*⁸  Bangham AD, Standish MM, Watkins JC. Diffusion of univalent ions across the lamellae of swollen phospholipids.Journal of Molecular Biology. 1965;13(1):238–252.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-2836(65)80093-6

*⁹ Allen TM, Cullis PR. Liposomal drug delivery systems: From concept to clinical applications. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. 2013;65(1):36–48.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2012.09.037

*¹⁰ Tolkien Z, Stecher L, Mander AP, Pereira DIA, Powell JJ. Ferrous sulfate supplementation causes significant gastrointestinal side-effects in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.PLOS ONE. 2015;10(2):e0117383.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0117383

*¹¹ NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/

*¹² NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Zinc – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/

*¹³ NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

*¹⁴ Gómez-Ramírez S, Brilli E, Tarantino G, Muñoz M. Sucrosomial® Iron: A New Generation Iron for Improving Oral Supplementation.Pharmaceuticals. 2018;11(4):97.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ph11040097

*¹⁵ Pisani A, Riccio E, Sabbatini M, Andreucci M, Del Rio A, Visciano B. Effect of oral liposomal iron versus intravenous iron for treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in CKD patients: a randomized trial.Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. 2015;30(4):645–662.

https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfu357

*¹⁶ Hallberg L, Brune M, Rossander L. Effect of ascorbic acid on iron absorption from different types of meals. Studies with ascorbic-acid-rich foods and synthetic ascorbic acid given in different amounts with different meals. Human Nutrition. Applied Nutrition. 1986;40(2):97–113.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3709965/

*¹⁷ Hardwick LL, Jones MR, Brautbar N, Lee DBN. Magnesium absorption: mechanisms and the influence of vitamin D, calcium and phosphate. The Journal of Nutrition. 1991;121(1):13–23.

https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/121.1.13

*¹⁸ Schuchardt JP, Hahn A. Intestinal Absorption and Factors Influencing Bioavailability of Magnesium—An Update. Current Nutrition & Food Science. 2017;13(4):260–278.

https://doi.org/10.2174/1573401313666170427162740

*¹⁹ Anand P, Kunnumakkara AB, Newman RA, Aggarwal BB. Bioavailability of curcumin: problems and promises.Molecular Pharmaceutics. 2007;4(6):807–818.

https://doi.org/10.1021/mp700113r

*²⁰ Østerlie M, Bjerkeng B, Liaaen-Jensen S. Plasma appearance and distribution of astaxanthin E/Z isomers in plasma lipoproteins after single dose administration of astaxanthin. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2000;11(10):482–490.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0955-2863(00)00104-2

*²¹ Mercke Odeberg J, Lignell Å, Pettersson A, Höglund P. Oral bioavailability of the antioxidant astaxanthin in humans is enhanced by incorporation of lipid based formulations. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2003;19(4):299–304.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0928-0987(03)00052-4

*²² Bhagavan HN, Chopra RK. Coenzyme Q10: Absorption, tissue uptake, metabolism and pharmacokinetics. Free Radical Research. 2006;40(5):445–453.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10715760600617843

*²³  López-Lluch G, Del Pozo-Cruz J, Sánchez-Cuesta A, Cortés-Rodríguez AB, Navas P. Bioavailability of coenzyme Q10 supplements depends on carrier lipids and solubilization. Antioxidants. 2019;8(7):242.

https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8070242

*²⁴ Witschi A, Reddy S, Stofer B, Lauterburg BH. The systemic availability of oral glutathione. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 1992;43(6):667–669.

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02284971

*²⁵ Richie JP Jr, Nichenametla S, Neidig W, et al. Randomized controlled trial of oral glutathione supplementation on body stores of glutathione. European Journal of Nutrition. 2015;54:251–263.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-014-0706-z

 *²⁶ NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin D – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/

*²⁷ NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin K – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminK-HealthProfessional/

*²⁸ Dawson-Hughes B, Harris SS, Lichtenstein AH, Dolnikowski G, Palermo NJ, Rasmussen H. Dietary fat increases vitamin D-3 absorption. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2015;115(2):225–230.

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*²⁹ Mulligan GB, Licata A. Taking vitamin D with the largest meal improves absorption and results in higher serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2010;25(4):928–930.

https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.67

*³⁰ Gonnet M, Lethuaut L, Boury F. New trends in encapsulation of liposoluble vitamins. Journal of Controlled Release. 2010;146(3):276–290.

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*³¹ Chen C, Han D, Cai C, Tang X. An overview of liposome lyophilization and its future potential. Journal of Controlled Release. 2010;142(3):299–311.

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*³² Stark B, Pabst G, Prassl R. Long-term stability of sterically stabilized liposomes by freezing and freeze-drying: Effects of cryoprotectants on structure. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2010;41(3–4):546–555.

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*³³ Xiao YY, Song YM, Chen ZP, Ping QN. The preparation of silymarin proliposomes: A new way to increase oral bioavailability of silymarin. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2006;319(1–2):162–168.

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