Liposomal products OR the liposomal revolution

For several years, one has been reading about so-called liposomal products when it comes to dietary supplements. There is even talk of the liposomal revolution. The reason for this is that the best possible bioavailability should always be achieved in the production of food supplements. This means that the body can absorb the nutrient that is supplied to it in the largest possible quantities. To do this, it must get to its destination efficiently and quickly. And this is where liposomes come into play.

What are liposomes?

Liposomes are microscopic nanobodies. They are surrounded by a double lipid layer, i.e. a layer of fat, and are hydrophilic (water-attracting) both to the outside and to the inside. It is precisely this structure that makes them so valuable, because it makes the transport of fat – and water-soluble nutrients possible. For example, water-soluble substances such as B vitamins can be stored in the fat layer or fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin D inside the liposome.

Why do liposomes increase the bioavailability of a product?

By locking in the nutrients, substances can be transported directly to the small intestine without losses through stomach acid and aggressive digestive enzymes. This is where the next advantage of the 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 and thus carry their nutrients directly to the transport destination. Due to this property, studies have shown, for example, that curcumin is absorbed 9 times better than other carriers (1). 

Are there also disadvantages?

In general it can be said that nutrients bound in liposomes do not harm the body. Due to the more complex manufacturing process, however, they are often a little more expensive than conventional comparable products. The shelf life is also lower compared to capsule or powder products. Therefore, either potassium sorbate or ethanol is added to many products. The amount of alcohol in ethanol is very small and can be consumed without hesitation. added to the recommended consumption.

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 absorption enhancer. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2009 Jun 28;37(3-4):223-30. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2009.02.019. Epub 2009 Mar 10. PMID: 19491009.