Liposomes
Many nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, can be encapsulated within liposomal systems. Liposomes are vectors made up of closed vesicles formed by a double layer of phospholipids, very similar to the membranes surrounding the cells of our body. Phospholipid membranes have a spontaneous ability to form these vesicles when they are in an aqueous solution, filling up and incorporating the components dissolved in it, such as nutrients.
The process of liposomal encapsulation allows the substances to effectively penetrate into the tissues, protecting them from the risk of oxidation and degradation, This way the substances can pass through the digestive system intact, and be distributed in the body through the bloodstream to the intracellular level, effectively reaching the target without damage. This greatly improves their absorption and bioavailability for the body.
Functions of liposomes
Liposomes have three main functions:
– Protection of active ingredients. The acidic environment of the stomach can damage certain active ingredients. Encapsulation in liposomes protects the active ingredients in the digestive system.
– “Masking“. Phospholipids mask the active ingredients so that larger quantities can be absorbed and escape the selective function of the small intestine. The side effects of certain high-dose vitamins and minerals can thus be reduced.
– Better absorption. Liposomes are preferentially absorbed in the intestine since they consist of phospholipids just like the cell membranes in the human body. Through normal fat absorption, the active ingredients then enter directly into the enterocytes (intestinal cells) and from there into the blood via the lymphatic system. The path through the liver can thus be avoided.
Many food supplements can be formulated as liposomal substances, either in powders, tablets or as liquids.
Liposomal supplements: why use?
Each supplement targets the cells in our tissues, which are reached through the bloodstream. Oral supplements are by far the most common type, and are often the first and best choice for taking certain types of substances. The main disadvantage, however, is their alleged ineffectiveness, which is why food supplements often enjoy a poor reputation.
In fact, the most sensitive components lose most of their effect by passing through the digestive tract, or are not absorbed and are expelled before they can perform their task.
Researchers have discovered that liposomal formulations can be used to transport substances, including food supplements, protecting them. Liposomes have been used for decades, and their usefulness has become also evident in achieving complete absorption of many nutrients.
Liposomes have been shown to improve the bioavailability of nutrients by as much as 46 times: bioavailability indicates the amount of a substance that actually enters the bloodstream. Bioavailability can be compared to value for money: the higher it is, the greater the effect of the substance on our body.
Furthermore, with traditional tablets, it is not possible to get more than a certain amount of a substance into the bloodstream: with liposomes this amount can be much higher.
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