Science Corner 20 | Liposomal Leap: Elevating Supplement Bioavailability
In our recent NAD⁺ testing report, several products claimed liposomal delivery, and I imagine many of you asked: what exactly is a liposome, and why might it matter for supplements?
At its simplest, a liposome is a microscopic sphere made of one or more phospholipid bilayers, very much like a tiny cell membrane. Encapsulating a nutrient inside this lipid shell can protect it from harsh conditions in the gut, potentially allowing a greater fraction to reach the bloodstream intact.
Bioavailability can be a stubborn obstacle for NAD⁺ and many other compounds. Once you swallow a dose, the acidic environment of the stomach can degrade sensitive molecules, and absorption in the small intestine may be limited by the compound’s chemical properties.
NAD⁺ in particular is charged and prone to rapid breakdown, which means only a small percentage of an oral dose may ever reach the tissues where it supports energy production and DNA repair. Other supplements with similar challenges include curcumin, quercetin, and certain B vitamins.
Liposomal delivery aims to overcome these hurdles by physically shielding the active ingredient until it can be absorbed. The lipid shell acts like a cell membrane, so the liposome can merge with gut cells or be absorbed into them.
Once inside, the payload is released, ideally increasing the concentration of the nutrient in circulation and ultimately its uptake by target tissues. Manufacturers can further tune liposomes by adjusting size, surface charge, and lipid composition to control release rates and improve stability.
While we have established the need and theory behind liposomal delivery. The next question should be… what does the data say?
A growing body of peer-reviewed work supports the benefits of liposomal formulations. In one trial of 25 healthy adults, a single dose of a liposomal multivitamin-mineral supplement led to about a 14 percent increase in blood iron at four hours, whereas the same nutrients in a standard formula actually showed a 6 percent decrease, and overall iron exposure over six hours was nearly twice as high with the liposomal product. In another randomized crossover study with ten volunteers, a 1 gram dose of liposomal vitamin C produced roughly 30 percent higher peak blood levels and kept vitamin C in the bloodstream longer than non-encapsulated vitamin C.
Still, questions remain.
Long-term human trials comparing liposomal NAD⁺ with other NAD⁺ precursors such as NMN and NR are scarce. We also lack standardized manufacturing methods across studies, making it difficult to compare results from different products. Finally, most research focuses on plasma or liver levels, leaving the distribution to other tissues such as muscle and brain largely unexplored.
Nevertheless, there are many products touting “liposomal delivery" and even doing their own science to validate the technology. Rho Nutrition’s NAD+ is one that passed our testing with flying colors while marketing their liposomal options.
Efficacy questions remain to be answered… but it is still great to see quality brands pushing the technological envelope with modern delivery mechanisms.
As a brief note, there are several alternative delivery technologies worth watching:
Solid lipid nanoparticles
Nanoemulsions
Micellar formulations
Each of these options brings its own perks and quirks, but for now, let us zero in on liposomal delivery, and stay tuned as innovation keeps driving supplement science forward.
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Personal note from Jordan
I enjoy diving into the puzzle of supplement bioavailability, as it feels like uncovering hidden pathways. We know compounds such as curcumin can tame inflammation and quercetin can curb oxidative stress, yet both often fall short of reaching their full potential in the body. I take curcumin in my own supplement stack and I am glad to benefit from these technological advances in my own health. Watching new delivery methods unlock those possibilities is like seeing a long-planned rocket finally lift off, and it is a moment worth celebrating. Instead of dwelling on trials that missed the mark, I encourage us to applaud each incremental advance, as every one of them brings us closer to meaningful breakthroughs. A heartfelt thank you goes to the brands and researchers who push these frontiers, as their work lifts the entire field. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats, and I cannot wait to see where this wave takes us next.
Citations from this article
Tinsley GM, et al. Liposomal Mineral Absorption: A Randomized Crossover Trial. Nutrients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36014827/
Żmuda, P, et al. Bioavailability of Liposomal Vitamin C in Powder Form: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Cross-Over Trial. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/17/7718