When taking nutritional supplements, one key issue is absorption or bioavailability of the substance. For certain nutrients in supplement form, various options exist which may be superior to the other in some manner. Some examples with which Evergreen shoppers may be familiar are Coenzyme Q-10 (ubiquinone) and its better absorbed companion ubiquinol; Alpha Lipoic Acid and its better absorbed kin R-Lipoic Acid; and Ester-C or buffered vitamin C compared with straight ascorbic acid. With regard to vitamin C, large amounts of ascorbic acid can cause gastric problems. Ester C and other buffered vitamin C products use minerals to buffer the acidity of the ascorbic acid and thus improve absorption as well as enable increased dosages without difficulty. One method to increase absorption of nutrients is a technology called liposomal delivery.

What are Liposomes?

Liposomes are artificially made but derived from a very natural substance. They are sacs (think air bubble or shield) comprised of a phospholipid. Phospholipids are constituents of the membrane of cells. Every cell in the body has this phospholipid portion, and transport of nutrients into and out of the cell is dependent on the fluidity of these membranes. (Check out this fun
Crash Course video for more info.) Liposomes mimic natural cell membrane phospholipids. As far as nutritional supplements go, the liposomal technology takes a nutrient such as the water soluble vitamin C and encloses it in a sphere of the phospholipid-like liposome, and presto! What you have is dramatically increased delivery and absorption of the nutrient.

Vitamin C Liposome Benefits

As mentioned earlier
, this nutrient ordinarily is water soluble. There exists a supplement called ascorbyl palmitate which basically binds ascorbic acid to a fat making it soluble in fatty areas of the body such as the skin. With liposomal C, however, the nutrient is able to obtain entry more easily across any cell due to the phospholipid structure. This is not the only delivery benefit. Liposomes encasing nutrients also can form liposomes in the stomach, an area of high motion. These liposomes can help the nutrient gain entry across your gut membrane to its target
organs and cells. More liposomes could lead to an increased rate of
absorption. With the vitamin C liposomally bound, gastrointestinal problems due to acidity will not occur.

According to Dr. Mercola, manufacturer of a Liposomal Vitamin C product, people at risk for vitamin C deficiency include the elderly, smokers, and college students. These people may benefit from the improved absorption benefits of this technology. Dr. Mercola’s Liposomal Vitamin C supplies 1,000 mg in 2 capsules and uses sunflower lecithin for their liposomal process. Lecithin is a natural source of phospholipids. Found in soy and egg yolks also, this substance’s phospholipids deliver many benefits to the human body, such as improved brain function due to the structures incorporating themselves into brain matter.

Vitamin D

Also featured by Dr. Mercola products is a liposomal-bound Vitamin D. This delivers 5,000 international units per vegetarian capsule. The vitamin D is cholecalciferol, vitamin D3, the preferred form for absorption over vitamin D2. These capsules are gluten free, soy free, and are easy to swallow.

Liposomal Skin Care

Liposomal delivery can also be found in many skin care products, such as the Ultra Aesthetics line. Their MSM Serum C, for example, contains Vitamins C and B5 in liposome form and their Alpha Lipoic Revitalizing Moisturizer has antioxidant Vitamins E, A and C in this special delivery format.

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