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Liposome Science

So what are liposomes, exactly?

Representation of a phospholipid molecule showing phosphate head (orange), the glycerol sholders (blue) and the fatty acid tails (silver)

Liposomes are bilayer (double-layer), liquid-filled bubbles made from phospholipids. Over 50 years ago, researchers discovered that these spheres could be filled with therapeutic agents and used to protect and deliver these agents into the body and even into specific cells of the body.

The bilayer structure of liposomes is nearly identical to the bilayer construction of the cell membranes that surround each of the cells in the human body. This occurs because of the unique composition of phospholipids. The phosphate (source of "phospho" in phospholipid) head of phospholipids is hydrophilic — it loves water — whereas the fatty-acid tails (lipids) are hydrophobic — they hate water.

Liposome containing vitamin C. Currently liposome-encapsulation is the best oral way to deliver vitamin C known to man.

When phospholipids find themselves in a water-based solution, the hydrophobic tails quickly move to distance themselves from the liquid just like oil separates from vinegar. So, as all the tails turn inward and all the heads turn toward the liquid, they form a double-layered membrane with all the tails pointing toward one another and the heads facing the outside or the inside of the sphere that they have formed.

This diagram of a liposome cutaway shows how the tails of phospholipids turn inward to form a bilayer membrane, and in so doing encapsulate a therapeutic agent.

Although research has not clearly shown how the therapeutic agents in a liposome are actually released, there are a couple of theories. One theory suggests that the phospholipids are processed in the liver as fats and that this process releases the vitamin C. Another theory proposes that cells all over the body, hungry for phospholipid materials to repair cell membranes and other cellular structures, "steal" these materials from the liposome allowing their contents to leak out.

Quite possibly both processes occur. In any case, the therapeutic value and greatly increased delivery of liposome-encapsulated drugs and nutrients has been scientifically confirmed countless times. At present, liposomes are the most effective oral way to deliver nutrients.

Essential phospholipids: what they are

These amazing molecules have unique properties that enable them to provide a host of structural, protective, and antioxidant capabilities. Without them, your body would be a puddle of messy goo...

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The importance of bioavailability

A failure to understand how nutrients are delivered into the bloodstream (bioavailability) often results in taking too much or too little of a supplement. Most often, this wastes money and results in a failure to enjoy expected benefits...

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