Supplements
LIPOSOMAL SUPPLEMENTS:
Excellent Delivery
method for Nutrients
Registered nutritionist Rose Holmes explores liposomal supplements…
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HE word liposome comes from the Greek words ‘lipo’ (fat) and ‘soma’ (body). Liposomes are spherical ‘sacs’ consisting of double rings of fatty-acid molecules— phosphatidylcholine molecules. Phosphatidylcholine (phospholipid attached to a choline particle) is a naturally-occurring major component of biological membranes, and has a wide-range of uses, including to make the brain chemical acetylcholine. The liposomal spherical ‘sac’ can be used to enclose and deliver whatever the ‘sac’ contains direct into the cells and body tissues. Transportation is facilitated by cell membranes which, composed of phospholipids, like liposomes, easily blend with the phosphatidylcholine of the liposome, which incorporates into the cell via a ‘fusion and blending’ process, permitting the easy inclusion of the liposome’s enclosed active substance into the cell where it can readily provide benefit. As phospholipids are naturally-occurring and throughout the body in cell membranes, the body recognises these as body-compatible and does not treat them as ‘toxic’ or ‘foreign’—and, so, does not mount an immune attack on the liposome. In time, the body naturally produces liposomes around ingested nutrients using phosphatidylcholine. The body also ‘sees’ liposomes as an end result of a successful digestive process. Therefore, the liposome (with its nutrient content) bypasses digestive breakdown, instead passing through the colon wall intact, into the bloodstream. Providing nutrients within liposomes greatly speeds up nutrient absorption processes. Liposomal
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nutrients can be taken with/ without food and without issues of bowel tolerance, as absorption is direct. Advantages of liposomal delivery system for supplements are many. Both water-soluble and fat-soluble active ingredients can be liposome-encapsulated and delivered to cells. The phospholipid membrane(s) protect the enclosed substance from degradation and getting ‘lost’ in the gastrointestinal tract. This means liposomal delivery may particularly benefit those with digestive issues who may not absorb nutrients readily. Any gastrointestinal side-effects can also be avoided. And, as already mentioned, the natural lipids are compatible with human tissue so are not considered ‘toxic’ or ‘foreign’ by the body. Liposomal delivery permits direct and efficient nutrient delivery to the cells. The high-tech manufacturing process makes liposomal nutrients more expensive than ‘normal’ nutrients, but also allows a highly bioavailable delivery system for high therapeutic doses which may be needed for some individuals, and, for general use, allows efficient direct nutrient delivery
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without involvement of the digestive system, which means lower nutrient dose liposomally-delivered, may be equivalent in effect to a much higher dose conventionally-delivered (by tablet/capsule). For some nutrients, ordinary, traditional, nonliposomal products generally have low absorption and bioavailability—this fact is clinically welldocumented. Liposome science allows improved nutrient absorption and higher bioavailability, and, like other liposomal products, dry liposomal powder products, allow this enhanced bioavailability. Liposomal delivery is particularly useful for nutrients such as vitamin C, magnesium, glutathione and curcumin. The primary advantage of liposomal supplements is delivery of larger doses direct to cells. In the case of vitamin C, this can be very useful in situations when you would like to take a large dose, but the large dose of ascorbic acid by tablet/capsule/powder might result in diarrhoea or deliver too high a dose of the accompanying mineral (e.g. with mineral ascorbates). Dry-powder liposomal products are produced without chemicals, high temperatures or high pressure, as well as being conveniently available encapsulated, with longer shelf-life (preservativesfree). The neutral taste of dry liposomes means artificial flavourings are not needed. n
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ROSE HOLMES, BSc (Hons), Dip. ION, PGCE, is a CNHC and BANT-
registered Nutritional Therapist with special interests in immune health, chronic illness, circadian rhythm disruption and healthy ageing. She is the Education and Training Manager at Rio Health.
Diagrammatic showing liposomal nutrients incorporating into cell
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