Liposomal Encapsulation Helps Deliver Medications More Effectively

By Jody Leach


Nutritional supplements and most medications are meant to target specific physical systems or organs. Intravenous drip and injection are the most effective methods of delivery, transferring necessary chemicals directly to the blood. When swallowed, medications usually face degradation in the acids of the upper digestive tract. Liposomal encapsulation creates a protective barrier, ultimately allowing more complete absorption.

Discoveries leading to this process emerged nearly fifty years ago, and have led to the introduction of more controlled methods of administering medications. It is currently important in treating serious medical conditions such as some forms of cancer, treatment-resistant fungal infections, and degenerative vision conditions commonly associated with old age. Standard drug delivery mechanisms still predominate, but encapsulation is proving equally beneficial.

In order to allow drugs to pass through the digestive tract without being broken down, they must be safely encased within a non-toxic protective barrier. Effectively shielding these individual microscopic capsules is possible when using an organic agent that mimics normal cellular walls. When that substance is activated using a variety of current methods, small individual bubbles made of liposomes are formed.

These individual capsules can be ingested together in a medium, and are shielded from damage until they can be absorbed into the bloodstream via the small intestine. In many cases this process improves the overall therapeutic goal, with the added benefit of fewer side effects. While a significant improvement, this method of delivery does not accommodate all drugs, and works best with water-soluble medications.

There are fewer unwanted physical reactions, and immediate advantages for patients. Because lipsomes are biodegradable and always physically compatible, they leave no toxic substances behind. Not only can they survive an attack by harsh digestive acids, but later function as tiny time-release agents within the intestine. Many drugs used to fight cancer can create collateral damage, and this form of delivery provides greater control.

Even though already proven effective through use, there is a slight down side. Production costs are significantly high, but will likely experience a decline as greater demand influences the market. Seal leakage has been reported in some cases, and oxidation sometimes reduces overall effectiveness. During the process some drugs have experienced a decline in their half-life, and stability issues have occurred, but positive benefits still predominate.

The past ten years have witnessed a transition from primarily medical use to include delivery of cosmetic and nutritional substances. There is ample anecdotal evidence touting the additional well-being that may result from delivering common vitamin dosages in this fashion. Many people subscribe to the idea that vitamin C is a natural enemy of upper respiratory infections, and also believe that this type of delivery increases effectiveness.

Although information highlighting consumer ability to create encapsulated vitamins, minerals, and even herbal extracts is readily available, making high-quality formulations can be costly and involved, and will not effectively combat the normal issues associated with aging. As support and development of this process continues in the medical world, the public will benefit most from it being used in conjunction with health regimens that have already been proven effective.




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