Liposomal Vitamin C vs. Regular Vitamin C

Liposomal vitamin C is a new form of this potent and well-researched antioxidant. But is it worth the hype? 

- Heather Eastman, NSCA CPT, CF L1

While it’s recommended you get as much of your daily Vitamin C intake as you can through food, vitamin C has been a reliable staple in the supplement industry for decades. As a result, innovative researchers have found a new and better way to deliver this powerful antioxidant to every cell in your body: liposomal vitamin C.

Your body cannot produce vitamin C on its own, though it is found in many common fruits and vegetables, including oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, and spinach. Since it is water-soluble, however, vitamin C does not stay in your body and must be replenished.

The primary advantages of liposomal Vitamin C include: 

• greater bioavailability 
• accelerated intestinal absorption
• increased longevity and stability 
• protection of the gut 

Why are Liposomal Vitamins Better?

Oral vitamin supplements enter your bloodstream the same way their naturally-occurring counterparts do, through digestion and absorption. Liposomal encapsulation, however, delivers these same vitamins straight into the cells. This allows for better absorption of liposomal vitamin C into the tissues.

Vitamin C is well-known for causing GI distress when taken in high doses. Liposomes are fat-soluble molecules that surround and protect nutrients as they travel through the GI tract before being safely absorbed through the cells. This protection works both ways, preventing the degradation of vitamin C in the acidic GI tract while simultaneously reducing the irritating effects of this valuable nutrient to the gut when taken in concentrated, supplemental forms. 

Is Liposomal Vitamin C More Effective? 

What’s the difference between liposomal vitamin C and regular vitamin C?

Aside from the unique delivery method and heightened absorption, liposomal Vitamin C is otherwise very similar to regular vitamin C and offers the same benefits. 

That said, the higher bioavailability of liposomal vitamin C is what makes it potentially more effective than other versions. A study looking at concentrations of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the body found higher concentrations when administered in the liposomal form vs. the non-liposomal delivery.

There are specific benefits to taking liposomal Vitamin C that you simply cannot get with traditional supplements. These benefits include: 

• Protection from degradation by oxygen
• No GI distress or bowel discomfort
• Remains in your system longer 
• Improved skin health
• Better bioavailability

What Are the Benefits of Taking Liposomal Vitamin C?

Vitamin C has been around in supplemental form for years as a trusted antioxidant that helps fight free radicals, reduce inflammation, and support the immune system. Free radicals can build up in the body as a result of ageing, pollution, stress, and exposure to toxins. This can lead to oxidative stress, which has been linked to a variety of chronic diseases as well as accelerated ageing. 

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials showed that taking a vitamin C supplement reduced blood pressure levels, while another longitudinal analysis showed subjects with a higher intake of Vitamin C (greater than 700mg per day) had a 25% reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Furthermore, it seems supplementation with 500 mg of Vitamin C can also lead to a significant decrease in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. 

Vitamin C supplements also help reduce uric acid in the blood, reducing the risk of gout attacks by up to 44% in some studies. Additional studies have shown Vitamin C supplements may help improve the absorption of iron, which is especially important for those at risk of anemia or those who are on a meat-free diet. High levels of vitamin C supplementation also seem to have a protective effect against cognitive impairment as you age, leading to better cognitive function and potentially reducing the risk of Alzheimers. 

Is Liposomal Vitamin C Better than IV? 

As we’ve established, there are many benefits of liposomal vitamin C as it is much more absorbable (and therefore more effective) than traditional vitamin C supplements. But is intravenous (IV) vitamin C better? 

Not necessarily. The same study which showed higher concentrations of liposomal vitamin C vs. regular vitamin C also studied IV delivery. While circulating concentrations of vitamin C were highest in the blood stream with IV, the protection provided was similar. Since oral supplementation is arguably easier than IV supplementation, liposomal vitamin C has the convenience edge in this match-up. 

What is the Recommended Dosage?

Daily recommended dosages for vitamin C range from 250mg to 2000mg, but as we’ve seen in the research, most of the cardiovascular and cognitive protective effects occur at the higher end of the range. 

As with many antioxidants, vitamin C plays well with others and has a synergistic effect when combined with certain ingredients, including Glutathione. Both of these ingredients are in BioStack Labs’ flagship cellular protection formula, Cell Shield. Designed to work hand-in-hand with its anti-aging sister formula, NAD Regen, Cell Shield delivers 322mg of liposomal vitamin C per serving. 

You can learn more about these unique formulas in our Official Biostack Labs Biohacking Supplements Protocol. And if you’re ready to replace your old supplements with top-of-the-line, highly bioavailable biohacking supplements, click here.