Introduction
Have you ever wondered how supplements make their way into your cells? Well, wonder no more! Let me introduce you to liposomes, the tiny superheroes of supplement delivery.
What are Liposomes?
Liposomes are microscopic bubbles made of phospholipids, the same material that makes up cell membranes (1). These bubbles are filled with nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. They have a lipid bilayer that acts as a protective shield.
How do Liposomes Enter Your Cells?
Liposomes have a unique ability to fuse with cell membranes, allowing them to release their contents directly into the cell. This process, called endocytosis, ensures that the nutrients are delivered precisely where they are needed most (2).
Why are Liposomal Supplements Better?
Liposomal supplements are superior to non-liposomal supplements because they are more efficiently absorbed by the body. Non-liposomal supplements often have a low absorption rate, meaning that a large portion of the nutrients are not utilized by the body and are simply excreted. In contrast, liposomal supplements have a higher bioavailability, which means that a larger percentage of the nutrients are absorbed by the body and put to use. This translates to more effective and efficient nutrient delivery and better health outcomes (3).
How Non-Liposomal Supplements are Broken Down in the Gut
When non-liposomal supplements are ingested, they often encounter stomach acid and digestive enzymes that can break down the nutrients and alter their chemical structure. This can lead to decreased effectiveness and a waste of valuable nutrients. Furthermore, these altered nutrients can sometimes be absorbed improperly by the body, leading to potential adverse health effects.
How Liposomes Prevent Nutrient Breakdown in the Gut
Liposomal supplements, however, have a unique advantage. The lipid bilayer surrounding the nutrients in liposomes acts as a protective shield, preventing them from being broken down by stomach acid and digestive enzymes. This means the nutrients are delivered intact and in their original form to the cells, ensuring maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Liposomal supplements are a superior choice for those looking to get the most out of their supplements and support their overall health and wellness.
Lab Rat's High Encapsulation Ratio
Did you know that the average encapsulation ratio for liposomal supplements is only 20%? This means that only 20% of the supplement is actually liposomal. At Lab Rat, we take pride in having a minimum encapsulation ratio of 50%! That's 2.5 times more liposomes than the industry average!
Using Sunflower Phospholipids in Our Liposomal Supplements
At Lab Rat, we take pride in the quality of our liposomal supplements. We ensure this quality by using sunflower phospholipids to encapsulate our liposomes. These natural phospholipids are highly biocompatible and biodegradable, making them an ideal choice for liposomal supplement encapsulation. Sunflower phospholipids also have high thermal stability, with a melting point of around 97°C or 206°F (4). This means that our liposomal supplements can withstand higher temperatures without degrading, ensuring the integrity of the nutrient content. In addition, sunflower phospholipids have been shown to withstand UV exposure from direct sunlight for up to a few hours, making them a reliable and durable choice for liposomal supplement encapsulation (5). By utilizing sunflower phospholipids in our liposomal supplements, we ensure that our products are not only effective but also safe and sustainable for our customers.
Conclusion
Liposomes are a game-changer in the world of supplement delivery. Their ability to fuse with cell membranes and deliver nutrients directly to the cell ensures maximum bioavailability and effectiveness. Liposomal supplements have a higher absorption rate and are more efficiently utilized by the body, making them a superior choice to non-liposomal supplements. When choosing a liposomal supplement, it's important to consider the encapsulation ratio to ensure you get the most out of your supplement.
References:
- Almeida, P. V., & Bhatia, S. R. (2011). Lipid Bilayer Membranes. In The Biomedical Engineering Handbook, Fourth Edition (pp. 1-13). CRC Press. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/lipid-bilayer-membranes-paulo-almeida-sujata-bhatia/e/10.1201/b10774-2
- Sercombe, L., Veerati, T., Moheimani, F., Wu, S. Y., Sood, A. K., & Hua, S. (2015). Advances and challenges of liposome assisted drug delivery. Frontiers in pharmacology, 6, 286. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684116/
- Yoncheva, K., Gómez-Gaete, C., Villagrán, M. J., & Pérez-Correa, J. R. (2018). Liposomes as a Carrier for Oral Vitamin C Delivery: Formulation Development, Stability, and Bioavailability Assessment. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 66(7), 1683-1691. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jafc.7b05300
- Kochergina, E. Y., & Dmitriev, V. V. (2017). Sunflower phospholipids: production, composition and applications. OCL, 24(3), D302. https://doi.org/10.1051/ocl/2017014 Askevold, B., & Egge-Jacobsen,
- W. (2019). Sunflower phospholipids. Handbook of Marine Microalgae: Biotechnolgy Advances, 201-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-814622-8.00011-1