Have you ever heard of liposomal supplements? In our functional medicine and IV therapy Toronto clinic, we can educate each individual patient about their nutrition; in some cases, we may suggest this form of vitamin C for a tailored treatment plan.  

Liposomal vitamins may be helpful for preventing or treating nutrient deficiencies and sustaining general wellness. According to an Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal report, “Liposomes are delivery vehicles for transporting substances into the body effectively via facilitating absorption directly in the mouth or by preventing breakdown by stomach acid.” 

Another way to think about liposome oral supplementation is this: they’re like “mini bubbles” with the ability to imitate cellular membranes. These bubbles encourage vitamins and minerals to speedily trek through the body. Liposomal supplements have demonstrated health benefits in studies, which is why scientists expect their popularity to rise in the near future. 

Vitamin C supplementation, along with other optimal nutrients, may be advised for our functional medicine patients, depending on their health condition and personal health goals. In this blog post, the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) explains what liposomal vitamin C does, how it differs from the “regular” water-soluble version, and details about our clinic. 

What does liposomal vitamin C do? 

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is fundamental for daily functioning. It can be constructed in the bodies of animals, but in the human body, this isn’t the case. The nutrient must be “outsourced” through dietary and supplemental measures. Here’s an explanation of how liposomal vitamin C can affect your wellness: 

• • This supplement is made out of essential phospholipids, which acts as a protective shield for vitamin C. These phospholipids protect the nutrient from getting ruined by your digestive juices. When liposomal vitamin C is ingested, it transports to your blood stream within minutes and enters your cells. 

• • Vitamin C supports collagen production (for wound healing or the healing of scars) and the synthesis of some neurotransmitters. It also contributes to the formation of muscles, blood vessels and the health of bones. 
  • It acts as a powerful antioxidant. It can offer cellular health protection from free radicals, thereby playing a part in reducing cellular damage and helping lower your risks for heart disease.
  • It may support white blood cell production, which is how it could foster immune function. 
  • Smokers, people who don’t eat a varied diet, or those who suffer from malabsorption or a chronic health condition (i.e. Crohn’s) are at risk of this nutritional deficiency. Supplementation, along with a balanced diet, is ideal for achieving your dietary intake of vitamin C.

The difference between standard and liposomal vitamin C

As we explained, our clinicians may recommend liposomal vitamin C. Though it’s taken orally, it does not have the same make-up and absorption rate as conventional vitamin C. 

First, know this: the digestive process filters out the contents you ingest – this includes oral supplementation. When you swallow vitamin C capsules, there’s a chance of inadequate bioavailability. This is because the absorption rate from oral vitamin C is naturally restricted by the body. Actually, when taken orally at a low dose, vitamin C absorption is effective; but the absorption rate is known to decline when the dosage is enhanced. 

Conventional vitamin C does not use liposomal delivery, so it’s still water soluble. But the liposomal format has those fatty “mini bubbles” bonding to the vitamin content, preventing the nutrient from being destroyed by gastric fluids. Liposomal ascorbic acid enhances the absorption of vitamin C though cellular lipid membranes, without getting compromised by digestion. Studies show that their bioavailability is enhanced when compared to conventional vitamin C. According to studies, oral ascorbic acid with liposomes has shown to produce “…circulating concentrations of vitamin C that are greater than unencapsulated oral but less than intravenous administration and provides protection from ischemia–reperfusion-mediated oxidative stress that is similar to the protection [from] unencapsulated oral and intravenous administrations,” explains a Nutrition and Metabolics Insight article. 

Ascorbate delivery with or without liposomes can contribute to wellness improvements. But if you’re still concerned about sustaining nutrient levels for daily energy production, immune function, etc., adjuvant support with high dose vitamin C  IV therapy (intravenous therapy) can be added to your TFMC treatment plan.

Recommended Reading: Our IV Therapy Toronto Lounge Defines Oxidative Stress and How to Tackle It

“Topping up” levels of vitamins with IV therapy drips

According to Nutrition and Metabolic Insights, the “[i]nfusion of vitamin C, via arteries or veins, has been reported to decrease oxidative stress and, in many instances, improve physiological function in adult humans.”

Used for supportive measures, IV therapy drips from the TFMC are dosed for your biological needs. These are administered with regular oral supplements and treatment modalities, and may contribute to optimal function. An IV tube directs nutrition into your blood, which allows the nutritional formula to bypass your digestive tract. In turn, the formula enters your blood stream for immediate use, and you get a full absorption of nutrients. 

Overall, liposomal vitamin C supplements can offer several health benefits, but please consult with a healthcare provider prior to taking them. The vitamin can interact with some medications, including chemotherapy, statins and blood thinners, and may not be suitable for patients with kidney concerns. The TFMC is currently accepting new patients for custom health care – learn about our private Toronto clinic below.

About our TFMC treatment service and vitamin IV therapy 

If you’ve ever felt “unheard” by a health care service, have you ever considered clinics that practice the functional medicine model? We adhere to this at the TFMC because a tailored treatment plan can target your mind and body – and we do so by collaborating with our patients! We have experience adapting wellness plans for mental clarity/brain fog, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle recovery, chronic fatigue syndrome, hair growth and skin health, mineral deficiencies, autoimmune conditions, weight loss/metabolism boost, hormone imbalances, post-disease symptoms, and more. 

When you visit us for the first time, expect a hearty chat on your chief health concerns, medical history, lifestyle/environmental factors, health goals, and possibly lab tests. Once we’ve gathered these core components (including lab results), we can design your treatment plan. This may entail a wide range of integrative functional medicine therapies, such as Western medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, hormone replacement treatments, booster shots and/or intravenous drips. 

As we adhere to the functional medicine model, each intravenous vitamin drip is dosed for your biology. When merged with healthy living practices and other treatment modalities, adjunct intravenous infusion drips could promote optimal health. Your supplement regime may potentially be “topped up” in our IV Lounge with a mixture of vitamins (including vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B6), folic acid, major antioxidants, amino acids, glutamic acid, and other natural ingredients. Vitamin D injections may also be prescribed.

If your personal health goals include boosting energy levels, immune health, and cellular functions, let’s talk! Our custom treatment service may contribute to beneficial effects for your optimal functioning – request your IV therapy Toronto consultation here. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References:

Akbarzadeh A, Rezaei-Sadabady R, Davaran S, Joo SW, Zarghami N, Hanifehpour Y, Samiei M, Kouhi M, Nejati-Koshki K. Liposome: classification, preparation, and applications. Nanoscale Res Lett. 2013 Feb 22;8(1):102. doi: 10.1186/1556-276X-8-102. PMID: 23432972; PMCID: PMC3599573.

Bulbake U, Doppalapudi S, Kommineni N, Khan W. Liposomal Formulations in Clinical Use: An Updated Review. Pharmaceutics. 2017 Mar 27;9(2):12. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics9020012. PMID: 28346375; PMCID: PMC5489929.

Chaves, M. A., Ferreira, L. S., Baldino, L., Pinho, S. C., & Reverchon, E. (2023). Current Applications of Liposomes for the Delivery of Vitamins: A Systematic Review. Nanomaterials, 13(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13091557

Davis JL, Paris HL, Beals JW, Binns SE, Giordano GR, Scalzo RL, Schweder MM, Blair E, Bell C. Liposomal-encapsulated Ascorbic Acid: Influence on Vitamin C Bioavailability and Capacity to Protect Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Nutr Metab Insights. 2016 Jun 20;9:25-30. doi: 10.4137/NMI.S39764. PMID: 27375360; PMCID: PMC4915787.

Li Y, Schellhorn HE. New developments and novel therapeutic perspectives for vitamin C. J Nutr. 2007 Oct;137(10):2171-84. doi: 10.1093/jn/137.10.2171. PMID: 17884994.

Padayatty SJ, Levine M. Vitamin C: the known and the unknown and Goldilocks. Oral Dis. 2016 Sep;22(6):463-93. doi: 10.1111/odi.12446. Epub 2016 Apr 14. PMID: 26808119; PMCID: PMC4959991.

Shade CW. Liposomes as Advanced Delivery Systems for Nutraceuticals. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2016 Mar;15(1):33-6. PMID: 27053934; PMCID: PMC4818067.

“Vitamin C” from the Nutrition Source, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, reviewed March 2023, viewed on November 14, 2023. 

“Vitamin C” from the Mayo Clinic, posted August 10, 2023, viewed on November 14, 2023. 

“Vitamin C: Health Fact Sheet for Professionals” from the NIH (National Institutes of Health), posted/reviewed on March 26, 2021, viewed on November 14, 2023.