What Happens After You Swallow a Supplement?
When you swallow a supplement capsule or tablet, it first enters your stomach, where it meets strong acids. If the ingredients aren’t stable, they may get destroyed right there. Then, it moves to the small intestine, where digestive enzymes continue breaking things down. To work in your body, nutrients must pass through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream.
But many nutrients don’t survive stomach acid, break down easily, or are too large to cross the intestinal barrier. That means—you eat it, but your body absorbs very little.
That’s why improving absorption has become a key goal in supplement development.
What Are Liposomes and How Do They Help?
Liposomes are tiny spherical particles made from a fat layer similar to our cell membranes. They can wrap around nutrients and protect them. Here’s how they help:
- Protect nutrients from being destroyed by stomach acid or enzymes.
- Improve absorption by helping nutrients pass through the gut lining.
- Controlled release, so the effect lasts longer.
- Targeted delivery, by customizing the surface to reach specific organs.
Challenges for Liposomes and How We Solve Them
a. What if they get destroyed in the stomach?
Liposomes need to survive stomach acid, bile, and enzymes. If they’re not strong enough, they fall apart and lose their contents.
Solutions include:
- Using stronger lipid materials like high-melting-point phospholipids (e.g., DPPC).
- Adding bile salts to make “bilosomes” that resist digestion.
- Coating liposomes with protective layers like enteric polymers or natural substances like chitosan.
b. What if they can’t pass through the intestines?
Liposomes are larger than powders or liquids, so they can get stuck in mucus or blocked by cell walls.
Solutions include:
- Making their surfaces sticky to help them cling to the gut wall.
- Using surfactants (like TPGS) to soften the cell membranes.
- Adding “keys” (like folic acid) to open up specific cell entry doors.
c. What about mass production?
It’s easier to make liposomes in a lab, but large-scale production can lead to issues like uneven sizes, residue, or poor stability.
Solutions include:
- Using ethanol injection with temperature control for better results.
- Applying high-pressure tools for consistent size.
- Creating newer types like double-layer liposomes or gel-core capsules.
What Nutrients Use Liposome Technology?
| Nutrient | Problem Without Liposomes | How Liposomes Help |
|---|---|---|
| NMN | Unstable, low absorption | Improves stability and bioavailability |
| Reduced Glutathione | Breaks down easily | Lasts longer in the body |
| Resveratrol | Breaks down in light, low effect | Protects and improves delivery |
| Coenzyme Q10 | Poor fat absorption | Increases absorption significantly |
| NAD+ | Hard to absorb | Improves stability and usage |
| NR-CL | Breaks down easily | Enhances cell uptake |
| Silymarin | Bitter, poorly absorbed | Tastes better, targets liver |
| Vitamin C | Gets flushed out quickly | More effective in smaller amounts |
| Vitamin D | Slow fat-based absorption | Steady release and better retention |
| Vitamin B Complex | Uneven absorption timing | Releases in stages |
| Betaine | Spreads too fast | Slows release and increases level |
| Berberine | Bitter, hard to absorb | Stays longer in the intestines |
| Curcumin | Very low natural absorption | Liposomes boost uptake 10x or more |
| Apigenin | Unstable, reduced effect | Makes it easier to absorb |
| Luteolin | Poor antioxidant delivery | Improves membrane crossing |
| Spermidine | Absorbs too fast | Controls release and boosts results |
| PEA | Gentle but weak absorption | Enhances sticking and effectiveness |
Conclusion: Liposomes Are the “Delivery Trucks” of the Future
Liposome technology acts like an upgraded delivery truck for supplements. It protects the nutrients, makes sure they arrive where needed, and helps your body use them more efficiently.
For supplement brands and buyers, liposomes mean:
- Better absorption, so your body gets more out of each dose
- Lower doses needed, reducing side effects and cost
- High-tech appeal, making products stand out in the market
- Innovation, allowing for “next-gen” versions of old formulas
In the future, companies that use liposome technology well will lead the way in the supplement industry.
📎 Related Reading:
- Liposomal NADH: Enhancing Energy and Cognitive Health with Advanced Delivery
- Breaking Barriers: How Liposomal NMN Transforms NAD+ Supplementation
- Can Liposomal NAD+ Make a Difference? Breaking Through Bioavailability Barriers
- Can CoQ10 Survive Digestion? Liposomal Delivery Offers a Breakthrough
- Is Resveratrol Too Fragile for the Gut? How Liposomal Technology Preserves Its Potency
- Why Reduced Glutathione Needs Liposomal Delivery: The Key to Stability and Efficiency
- From Stomach Acid to Bile Salts: Why Oral Supplements Often Go to Waste
- Why Is Oral NMN Absorption So Low? Liposomal Technology Provides the Answer