Liposomal products OR the liposomal revolution

Liposomal products OR the liposomal revolution

For several years now, when the topic of dietary supplements comes up, one keeps reading about so-called liposomal products. There is even talk of the liposomal revolution. The reason for this is that, when manufacturing dietary supplements, the aim is always to achieve the best possible bioavailability. This means that the body can absorb as much of the nutrient supplied to it as possible. To achieve this, the nutrient must reach its destination efficiently and quickly. And this is exactly where liposomes come into play.

What are liposomes?

Liposomes are microscopic nanoparticles. They are surrounded by a double lipid layer – in other words, a layer of fat – and are hydrophilic (water-attracting) both on the outside and the inside. It is precisely this structure that makes them so valuable, as it enables the transport of both fat-soluble and water-soluble nutrients. For example, water-soluble substances such as B vitamins can be stored within the lipid bilayer, whilst fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin D can be stored inside the liposome.

Why do liposomes increase a product’s bioavailability?

By encapsulating the nutrients, substances can be transported directly to the small intestine without being lost to stomach acid and aggressive digestive enzymes. This is where the next advantage of liposomal products comes into play: the lipid layer of the liposomes is so similar to that of our body’s own cells that the liposomes can fuse directly with the cells, thereby transporting their nutrients straight to their destination. Thanks to this property, studies have shown, for example, that curcumin is absorbed nine times more effectively than with other carrier substances (1). 

Are there any disadvantages?

Generally speaking, nutrients encapsulated in liposomes do not harm the body. However, due to the more complex manufacturing process, they are often slightly more expensive than conventional comparable products. Their shelf life is also shorter than that of capsule or powder products. For this reason, many products have either potassium sorbate or ethanol added to them. The amount of alcohol in ethanol is very low and can be safely consumed in accordance with the Recommended intake.

Source:

(1) Shaikh J, Ankola DD, Beniwal V, Singh D, Kumar MN. Nanoparticle encapsulation improves oral bioavailability of curcumin by at least 9-fold when compared to curcumin administered with piperine as an absorption enhancer.    Eur J Pharm Sci. 28 June 2009; 37(3–4):223–30. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2009.02.019 Epub 10 March 2009. PMID: 19491009.