Vitamin C is a vitamin that many people already know about. Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant that boosts immunity and is the first thing you reach when you feel a cold coming.

We also know that vitamin C can only be obtained through diet. But, just because you’re getting a certain amount of vitamin C doesn’t necessarily mean your body can use it all.

Liposomal Vitamin C is the solution. Because the liposomal vitamin C is contained within liposomes, tiny droplets of vitamin C, and surrounded by a lipid bilayer which is the same type as cell membranes, it is more bioavailable and absorbable in the body. The liposome makes vitamin C fat-soluble (instead of water-soluble) and is easier to transport into our cells, where it can then be used.

Let’s look at the benefits and side effects of liposomal vitamins, as well as answer the most frequently asked questions about it.

Why Do We Need Vitamin C?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is vital for many functions in the body.

• Assist with the production and use of L-carnitine, an amino acid.
• This helps with iron absorption
• A functioning immune system is essential for maintaining good health.
• Cellular damage from free radicals

The NHS suggests that adults consume at least 40mg of vitamin C each day. This is roughly equivalent to approximately 50g of broccoli or 28g of red pepper.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that cannot be stored in the body. It’s therefore essential to make sure you are getting enough vitamin C each day from food sources and taking high-quality vitamin supplements.

What’s Liposomal?

Liposomes, which are spherical shells that contain a double layer fatty acid, are similar to the natural layer found in the cells’ outer membrane. This bilayer can be used for encapsulating nutrients and pharmaceutical drugs to reduce absorption risk. The vitamin C can not be released from the liposome unless the phospholipid bilayer has been broken down, e.g., absorption/breakdown in your body.

The liposome protects the contents from the stomach acids and facilitates absorption. After the contents are absorbed into the stomach, the liposome is broken down and released into the bloodstream. The phosphatidylcholine-enriched lipids that are commonly used in the production of liposomes are utilized elsewhere in the body for the production of new cells.

What Is The Difference Between A Liposomal Vitamin C And Standard Vitamin C?

Ascorbic acid is also known as a “Regular” vitamin, and it’s what you will find in most vitamin supplements.

This vitamin C type is water-soluble. It’s easily absorbed into water. While our bodies are made up of a lot of water, our cells’ structure is made up of lipids (fat). Oil (or fat) and water don’t mix. They repel one another, as we all know. This means that water-soluble vitamin C does not get absorbed into our cells in the areas where it is most necessary.

Standard vitamin C is only well absorbed by the human body in very small doses. Your body can only absorb half the amount of vitamin C you consume at the recommended dose of 1,000 mg. The remainder is mostly excreted into the urine. This means that oral “megadoses” of vitamin C are not going to do you any good and can cause stomach upset. [1]

The liposomal vitamin C, on the other side, is still ascorbic, but it’s encased within a liposomal format–surrounded by a lipid bilayer which allows for easier access to the cell. It is, therefore, more bioavailable and absorbable in the body. This allows it to be used when needed. [2] A liposomal formulation is a better supplement than a water-soluble formula.

What Are The Benefits Of Liposomal Vitamin C?

The benefits of liposomal vitamin C are the same as standard vitamin C. However, the absorption rate is higher, so you will notice more results. These are the main areas where vitamin C is needed to support the body.

Heart and Brain Health

According to a 2004 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vitamin C intake via diet or supplements may reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 25%. ( Source )

Vitamin C supplements of any kind can improve endothelial function and ejection fraction. ( Source )

Endothelial function refers to the contraction and relaxing of blood vessels, enzyme release to manage blood clotting, immunity and platelet adhesion. The Ejection fraction refers to “the percentage of blood is pumped out (or ejected from) the ventricles during heart contractions.”

These results indicate that vitamin C could play a significant role in the prevention and improvement of cardiovascular disease.

It is important to repair the tissues that have been damaged by oxygen deprivation after a stroke or heart attack. After blood flow has been restored, “reperfusion injury,” which results in tissue damage due to the lack of oxygen, is caused by the “excessive generation” of free radicals. ( Source)

Vitamin C can be administered intravenously as a powerful antioxidant. It can counteract and neutralize the free radicals that are responsible for reperfusion’s oxidative stress. ( Source )

One animal study showed that liposomal vitamin c prevented brain tissue from being damaged by reperfusion when it was administered before blood flow was limited. ( Source )

While IV-infused vitamin C levels are higher than liposomal vitamins C, one study found that liposomal Vitamin C was almost as effective at protecting tissue from damage during reperfusion. The study was done on 11 subjects with temporary blood blockage by tourniquets. ( Source )

Bioavailability

Liposomal vitamin C has a higher bioavailability than standard vitamin C. This is the best-understood benefit.

Simply put, bioavailable refers to how easily vitamin C is absorbed into your body. We already mentioned that liposomal vitamin C supplements allow your small intestines to absorb more vitamin C than standard vitamins.

In a 2016 study, 11 subjects showed that vitamin C in liposomes significantly increased blood vitamin C levels compared with a non-liposomal supplement (4 grams). ( Source )

The bioavailability of liposomal vitamin C is limited by intravenous vitamin C. IV vitamin C, which has 100% bioavailability, is more invasive and requires a needle to be inserted, a trained facility, and takes 1-3 hours for slow infusion.

High doses of IV vitamin C are most commonly used in conjunction with treatment. They provide a prooxidant effect that is not possible with low doses which have antioxidant properties.

Collagen Production

Collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, is slowing down around age 25. Vitamin C is an essential cofactor in the enzymes which produce collagen. It is essential for the health and function of your bones, blood vessels and joints that contain collagen. ( Source ). Vitamin C is depleted in situations of infection, stress, and chronic illness. Vitamin C is less available for collagen production in cases of chronic illness, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. Because collagen is the structural protein that holds everything together, it can lead to weaker joints, blood vessels, connective tissue, and tendons. A sagging appearance with more wrinkles can be caused by weaker collagen.

Cancer

Injectable vitamin C can be administered in high doses in conjunction with conventional chemotherapy to combat cancer. Although it cannot eradicate all forms of cancer, intravenous vitamin C can improve many patients’ quality of life by increasing their energy and mood.

In some cases, IV vitamin C may even be able to induce regression of cancer. In 2014, a review highlighted several cases of IV vitamin C-chemotherapy remissions. ( Source )

You should not rely solely on IV vitamin C to treat or induce remission of cancer. These cases are, at best, isolated. Vitamin C can be used as an adjuvant to conventional cancer treatment.

Human subjects with cancer have not been tested for liposomal vitamin C. However, many cancer patients who receive IV vitamin C also take high doses of liposomal vitamin A between IV treatments. It is common for blood levels to fall below normal after receiving IV vitamin C in high doses. It is highly recommended that you increase your oral vitamin C intake between IV vitamin C infusions, especially to avoid low rebound plasma levels of vitamin A.

Oxidative Stress

Every living thing experiences some degree of oxidative stress. According to a 2006 study:

“Increasing evidence links oxidative stress to a variety of pathological conditions including cancers, cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases, post-ischemic injury, diabetes mellitus ( Source )

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and can be found in large quantities in the human body. ( Source )

Is There Any Side Effect To Liposomal Vitamin C?

If taken in large doses, standard vitamin C can cause stomach upset. Because it is more easily absorbed and utilized by the body, liposomal vitamin C is less likely to cause side effects. You should still consult your doctor to determine the correct dose for you.

How can we tell which products contain effective liposomal vitamin A?

The term “liposome” is not as well defined as the “liposomal“. This “liposomal” definition is used by many products.

A “liposome” refers to a spherical structure made from a shell of phospholipids and surrounded by water. A “liposome” usually contains the main ingredient, such as vitamin C or glutathione, and it is also suspended in water.

However, “liposome” does not refer to “liposomal” — although they sound similar, “liposomal” is not the same thing. Liposomal can sometimes be loosely translated to mean “containing fat,” and Liposomal can also refer to products that contain only fat (lipid) or vitamin C combined.

A “phospholipid” is the usual lipid used to form liposomes. Phosphatidylcholine, the most common phospholipid, is the main component of liposomes’ outer shells. Some supplements may use, but it is not a form of phospholipid. It can also be in the less effective form of fatty acids.

Liposomal vitamin C may be labeled “liposomal”, but it might not form liposomes even when exposed to water. This is because vitamin C is covalently bound with a fatty Acid.

The Myth About Vitamin C Ester “Fat Soluble.”

An example of a product that takes advantage of the term “liposomal” is a type of vitamin-C ester. Esters such as Ascorbyl Palmitate, which are often labeled “fat-soluble” vitamin C, are promoted as “liposomal” but won’t form a true “liposome.”

These are important facts about “fat-soluble” Ascorbyl Palmitate.

• Ascorbyl palmitate can’t be found in nature. It is SYNTHETIC and made by mixing palmitate (an ester of fat) with vitamin A (Ascorbic acid).
• Ascorbyl palmitate can be used to prolong the shelf life of certain foods, medicines, and cosmetics.
• Ascorbyl Palmitate can also be known as “Cetyl Ascorbate “….(two distinct names for the same compound.”
• Ascorbyl Palmitate has ONLY 42.5% Vitamin C
• Products that claim “1600m Liposomal Vitamin C” using Ascorbyl Palmitate ONLY CONTAIN 680m of the actual vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid).

This is a very important point. This is because Ascorbyl Palmitate, which is made from vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), is mixed with palmitate (a fat), and less than half is actually vitamin C. (source, source).

Ascorbyl Oleate, another vitamin C ester, is very similar to Ascorbyl Palmitate. It binds Oleate (another fat) to ascorbic acid.

The ester forms of vitamin C, such as Ascorbyl Palmitate, are easy to digest after oral ingestion. Enzymes in the small intestine cleave the link immediately, releasing only vitamin C (ascorbic acid molecule) before any absorption can occur.

This digestion results in the release of vitamin C from the ester. There is no improvement in absorption when taken with a standard vitamin C supplement. ( source 15, source 16 ). Fat-soluble vitamin C esters are nearly identical in bioavailability to pure vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). 

Depending on the ingredient, esters can have a negative effect.

According to one study, Ascorbyl Palmitate could be more toxic than natural vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) to sun-damaged skin cells. ( Source )

This is the bottom line: These “Fat Soluble” forms of vitamin C (ascorbyl Palmitate, ascorbyl Oleate, and cetyl ascorbate) are quickly digested before any absorption takes place and release pure vitamin C into your small intestine. To make matters worse, fat-soluble vitamin C contains less than half of the actual vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid).

This is a fact that few people are aware of. It means that customers who don’t know the truth pay top dollar for a product that is very similar to a regular vitamin C powder or capsule but with the term “liposomal” attached.

These forms are very affordable to produce, but they offer high vitamin C doses per serving (e.g., 1200-1800mg).

Liposomal vitamin c is not a hoax. However, not all products labeled as liposomal vitamin c offer the same benefits, particularly those that sell fat-soluble vitamin C esters.

How To Choose The Best Liposomal Vitamin C Supplement

Many brands sell liposomal vitamin-C supplements. What vitamin liposomal vitamin supplement is best?

Two basic types of liposomal supplements that deal with “liposome formation” are available. The first type is an already formed liposome, Vitamin C, and the second is a pro-liposome. A pro-liposome contains chemically bound vitamin C, and it also contains phospholipids that will cause a liposome to form in the presence of water at body temperatures.

If the ingredients contain water, it is easy to determine if a product contains formed liposomes. You are most likely dealing with formed liposomes if there is water in the ingredients. If water is not in the ingredients, you will be dealing with a pro-liposome. Both must contain phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine (derived from lecithin).

When exposed to water, a pro-liposome can turn into a liposome. This will cause the phospholipids in the pro-liposome to congregate naturally by hydrophobic forces to form a bi-layer.

The pro-liposomal form of vitamin C is conjugated by a layer containing phospholipids and other oils in a technical process that can vary in its effectiveness. It is essential to know how this proprietary process of binding the vitamins C and lipids works. Otherwise, the formation of liposomes will only occur if they are mixed together.

Liquid proliposomes are made from lipids (fats) and vitamin C. They form liposomes around their main ingredient when exposed to water and the correct temperature conditions. This is similar to the environment found in the small intestine.

The newly formed liposomes are then absorbed by the intestinal wall, processed by the liver and released into the systemic circulation.

Reiterating: All “liposome” formulations (formed lips and pro-liposomes), use phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine and lecithin to form liposomes.

Many vitamin C supplements that are labeled as “liposomal” can’t hold the lipid ingredient or vitamin C together in small intestine water.

It is important to ensure that vitamin C is properly sourced. Liposomal vitamin supplements should not contain GMOs and should preferably be made from phospholipids derived from sunflower lecithin.

Customers will insist that vitamin C’s origin is not from China, although this is just a personal preference.

A liposomal vitamin c that offers a satisfaction guarantee and a full refund is a huge plus.

These are the steps to help you find a high-quality liposomal product.

1. Use a form of liposomal or a well-made pro-liposomal that contains vitamin C. Avoid vitamin C esters that are “lipid-soluble” vitamin C, such as ascorbyl palmitate or ascorbyl oleate. They may not offer any benefit over regular vitamins.
2. You should look at the source of vitamin C. Most brands use Chinese vitamin C. Quali-C, however, is a brand of vitamin C made in Scotland from non-GMO European corn.
3. Make sure the supplement is non-GMO, soy-, wheat-, and dairy-free.

Dosage of Liposomal Vitamin C

The National Institute of Health recommends that men and women consume no more than 2,000 mg of vitamin C daily.

A higher dose may be necessary for certain health conditions. The Linus Pauling Center recommends a daily intake of 2,000 mg. This is safe but can cause lower absorption in some people. Smokers and the elderly are likely to benefit from this higher dose, and they also require more vitamin C.

Vitamin C is good for your general health. A daily intake of 1000 to 2000 mg should be sufficient.

• Immunity
• Brain health
• Collagen production
• Cardiovascular protection
• Energy production
• Increased antioxidants

To protect against the possible oxidative damage caused by reperfusion, 4,000 mg of liposomal Vitamin C is used.

These results are promising. However, I recommend that you keep your daily maintenance dose at around 2,000 mg unless you are advised by a healthcare professional to do so or if you have an increased level of oxidative stress due to chronic illness or acute infections, which may require higher doses.

Side effects of Liposomal Vitamin C:

A high dose of vitamin C may not be technically “toxic,” but it can cause side effects such as nausea and diarrhea.

Drug Interactions

Vitamin C can interact with some drugs and nutrients.

ADD and ADHD medication use amphetamines. Vitamin C could reduce the effects of amphetamine-based drugs, but this effect has not been replicated in humans. ( Source )

In Summary

• The revolutionary method of introducing vitamin A into your body is called liposomal vitamin C.
• Liposomes are made up of a phospholipid bilayer around water and vitamin C. This protects the nutrients inside from any damage that could otherwise occur during normal digestion.
• Liposomal vitamin C absorbs significantly more than standard vitamin C supplements.
• Liposomal vitamin C has many benefits, including increased bioavailability and cardiovascular support, skin health and improved collagen production.
• Although many supplements are called “liposomal”, some use esters (ascorbyl palmitate and/or cetyl Oleate) of vitamin C that doesn’t increase vitamin C’s bioavailability and won’t result in the formation of a liposome.
• The recommended daily intake of vitamin C is 200 to 1,000 mg. For most adults, 2000 mg is recommended daily.