Liposomes - Sunflower Lecithin Phospholipids

Liposomes represent an innovative approach to nutrient delivery, with the potential to offer superior absorption - over 8 times more - compared to conventional forms.

They enable higher therapeutic efficacy at lower doses by maximizing absorption and minimizing toxicity.

Liposomal mechanism prevents the degradation of the active ingredients within the digestive system, as often occurs with conventional pill or capsule forms.

Liposomes are tiny spherical vesicles composed of lipid bilayers, which can encapsulate both water-soluble and fat-soluble substances. This unique delivery system is designed to enhance the absorption and bioavailability of the encapsulated ingredients.

Figure: Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image of a liposomal sphere (Joungbo et al. 2023).

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Ο όρος "λεκιθίνη" προέρχεται από την ελληνική λέξη "lekithos", που σημαίνει "κρόκος αυγού", όπου η ουσία αναγνωρίστηκε για πρώτη φορά. Οι σκόνες λεκιθίνης φυτικής προέλευσης χρησιμοποιούνται συνήθως ως συμπληρώματα για την υποστήριξη της ηπατικής λειτουργίας, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της αποτοξίνωσης, και για τη βελτίωση της πέψης και της απορρόφησης του λίπους στον πεπτικό σωλήνα.

Το ανθρώπινο σώμα παράγει φυσικά λεκιθίνη κυρίως στο ήπαρ, το χολικό υγρό και τον εγκέφαλο.

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Liposomes can protect the encapsulated nutrients from degradation in the digestive system, allowing more of the active ingredient to reach the bloodstream. This can potentially result in higher bioavailability compared to traditional supplements.

Liposomes can facilitate the delivery of nutrients directly to cells and tissues, potentially improving the efficacy of the supplement.

By protecting the active ingredients from the harsh environment of the stomach, liposomal supplements may reduce gastrointestinal irritation and improve tolerance.

The lipid bilayer of liposomes can protect the encapsulated ingredients from oxidation and other forms of degradation, potentially extending the shelf life of the supplement.

Liposomal supplements are often more expensive than traditional supplements due to the complex manufacturing process. However, the potential benefits might justify the higher cost.

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  2. Crommelin, D., van Hoogevest, P., & Storm, G. (2020). The role of liposomes in clinical nanomedicine development. What now? Now what?. Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society, 318, 256–263.  
  3. DeFelice SL. The nutraceutical revolution: its impact on food industry R&D. Trends Food Sci Technol 1995; 6: 59–61.
  4. Santini, A., Cammarata, S. M., Capone, G., Ianaro, A., Tenore, G. C., Pani, L., & Novellino, E. (2018). Nutraceuticals: opening the debate for a regulatory framework. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 84(4), 659–672. 
  5. Porter, C,J,, Trevaskis, N.L., Charman, W.N. (2007). Lipids and lipid-based formulations: optimizing the oral delivery of lipophilic drugs. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 6(3), 231-48.
  6. Hirose, A., Terauchi, M, Osaka, Y., Akiyoshi, M., Kato, K., Miyasaka, N. (2018). Effect of soy lecithin on fatigue and menopausal symptoms in middle-aged women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutrition Journal, 17(1), 1-8. 
  7. Lee, B., Sur, B.J., Han, J.J., Shim, I., Her, S., Lee, Y.S., Lee, H.J., Hahm, D.H. (2015). Oral administration of squid lecithin-transphosphatidylated phosphatidylserine improves memory impairment in aged rats. Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 56, 1-10.
  8. Küllenberg, D., Taylor, L.A., Schneider, M., Massing, U. (2012). Health effects of dietary phospholipids. Lipids in Health and Disease, 11(1), 1-16.