Liposomes were first discovered in 1965 and soon after were proposed as drug delivery systems. For the last five decades, advancements in this field have led to numerous clinical trials on liposomes for delivery of anti-fungal, antibiotic drugs, delivery of gene medicines, anesthetics and anti-inflammatory medications. This is an established technology, with a variety of types of liposomes being brought to market.
Liposomal Delivery Protects Ingredients
Liposomal Delivery Protects Ingredients
Liposomes are a revolutionary way of encapsulating active ingredients in a phospholipid “bubble” to protect and deliver them directly to the cells of your tissues, which are reached via the bloodstream.⑴
Liposomes are non-toxic, biocompatible, biodegradable, and have the following advantages as carriers in drug delivery: first, liposomes can reduce toxicity; second, hydrophilic and lipophilic agents can be incorporated into liposomes; third, liposomes control the drug release; and fourth, the liposome delivery system increases bioavailability. (2)
“Liposomes are valued for their biological and technological advantages, and are considered to be the most successful drug-carrier systems known to date.” – International Journal of Nanomedicine, Liposomes As Nanomedical Devices
With Liposomes, on average 90% of the ingredients are able to make it to the bloodstream instead.
Many common supplements including NMN are digested by enzymes and bacteria in the stomach. If they make it past the intestines to the liver, they are seen as a foriegn body and are mostly filtered out.
Studies show NMN does not escape the liver at all, but are converted to NAM which is released into the bloodstream.
Liposomes protect ingredients from digestion. As they are composed of phospholipds that are very similar to the membrane of every cell in our body, they are seen as native and are not filtered out by the liver, which released them intact into the bloodstream where they dissolve after a few hours and release the payload where it can be taken up by cells.
Liposomes protect ingredients through the GI tract, merging their contents into cells to improve the biodistribution of compounds.
It solves the Bioavailability Problem
It solves the Bioavailability Problem
The aim of taking any supplement is to ensure its transport into the bloodstream. However, due to the low absorption and bioavailability rates of traditional oral capsules, active ingredients lose most of their potency while passing through the gastrointestinal tract or are simply not absorbed in the small intestine at all. The majority is excreted unused via the intestines or kidneys. ⑵
Liposomal delivery offers targeted and complete absorption of active ingredients with a delayed‑release effect, unlike all other nutrient delivery methods.
- This increased circulation time of key nutrients in the bloodstream greatly improves bioavailability.
- Ingredients are absorbed & utilized rather than being destroyed in the stomach.
- The higher the bioavailability of an active substance, the more effect it has on the body. ⑶
- This means greater efficacy & smaller doses needed to achieve better results.
How Liposomes Work
How Liposomes Work
A liposome is made up of a spherical vesicle with the inner contents containing the active ingredients, which are protected by an outer layer comprised of tiny fat-like particles, called the phospholipid layer.
Biocompatibility and Safety
Biocompatibility and Safety
Liposomes are absorbed through the oral mucosal lining and through lymphatic mechanisms in the gut, bypassing first-pass metabolism and breakdown in the liver ensuring the retention of liposome integrity.
The phospholipids in the liposomes closely resemble the structure of your cell membranes, and as a result the body recognizes them as safe and friendly substances which are biocompatible.
Many nutraceutical supplements have been shown to cause problems in the liver at higher dosages. The risk of liver damage greatly limits the dosage that can safely be used, which diminishes the effectiveness. The liver does not filter out molecules delivered by liposomes, so the risk from toxicity is greatly diminished.
Key Advantages of Liposomal Delivery
Key Advantages of Liposomal Delivery
- Protects against the harsh environment of the GI tract and increases oral uptake and absorption
- Provides superior stability of active ingredients, allowing for higher absorption and greater efficacy
- Timing of the dose does not require accompaniment or exclusion of food as the absorption via the liposome avoids the digestive processes
- Provides a larger nutrient payload per particle
- The dose is slowly released so the supplement’s concentration level can stay fairly constant in the body
Our Encapsulation Process
Our Encapsulation Process
Our LIPO Caps™ powdered liposomes technology encapsulates nanosized particles in liposomes, which are then freeze-dried to remove the aqueous phase. It’s a bit like grapes that are dehydrated to raisins, except that liposomes re-inflate in the body.
This ensures maximum bioavailability and stability, protecting the ingredients against degradation. Our peak particle size is less than 50 nm (nanometers).
This encapsulation technology is clinically proven through safety, absorption and blood glucose studies to maximize nutrient bioavailability. ⑷
We use natural non-hydrogenated sunflower phosphatidylcholine in our manufacturing process, derived from non-GMO certified sunflower oil from Europe.
It undergoes a multi-step, purification and filtration process during liposome manufacturing to ensure the utmost purity.