Key Points
- Liposomal delivery increased nutrient exposure
- Maximum concentration was higher for niacin, zinc, and iron
- Greater iAUC for all four nutrients in both cohorts
- Effects robust across all 20 participants
Study Overview
Twenty healthy male adults were assigned to two groups for a crossover trial. Each participant had one single dose of either LMN (liposomal) or NLMN (non-liposomal), followed by a 7-day washout.
Group A:
Ten participants received:
- Liposomal multinutrient LMN-1 (3000 mg total; 3 capsules)
- Matched non-liposomal NLMN-1 (same active composition)
Group B:
Ten participants received:
- Liposomal multinutrient LMN-2 (3000 mg total; 3 capsules)
- Matched non-liposomal comparator (same active composition)
Both LMN-1 and LMN-2 were made with the same liposomal process; only the nutrient composition differed.
Researchers measured niacin, vitamin C, zinc, and iron because each one represents a different absorption challenge and transport pathway. Blood samples were collected at various time points after treatment.
Higher Absorption With Liposomal Niacin
Liposomal delivery resulted in superior absorption of niacin.
Plasma niacin concentrations were significantly higher for the liposomal group at every time point from 30 minutes to 12 hours.
For example, 30 minutes post-ingestion, the liposomal group's mean concentration was 6.21 compared to 3.96 in the control group.
"Plasma vitamin B3 concentrations in Group A were significantly greater among participants in the test group compared to those in the control group for all time points from 0.5 to 12 h post-ingestion."
This graph shows that the liposomal niacin formula (LMN-2) produced consistently higher niacin levels in the blood compared to the non-liposomal version (NLMN-2) across the entire 12-hour period.
The strongest overall measure of total nutrient absorption (iAUC) was nearly three times higher with the liposomal version. Peak levels (Cmax) were also higher.
"The iAUC value in the test group was 2.55 times higher than that in the control group… The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was found to be 6.16 in the test group and 4.32 in the control."
"Collectively, these results indicate that the liposomal formulation facilitated superior absorption of vitamin B3."
Increased Vitamin C Exposure
Vitamin C levels rose more effectively with the liposomal formula in both groups tested. 3 hours after ingestion levels in the liposomal group were noticeably higher.
"Three hours after ingestion… the test group was 12.60, while it was 8.27 in the control group... At 4 h after ingestion, plasma vitamin C… was 12.27, whereas in the control group it was 7.75."
This graph shows that the liposomal vitamin C formula (LMN-2) produced much higher vitamin C levels in the blood compared to the non-liposomal version (NLMN-2), and the difference grew larger over time.
Over the 12 hours, the liposomal versions delivered over three times more vitamin C than the standard. Research on vitamin C supplementation has demonstrated its effectiveness in supporting immune function, and liposomal delivery may further enhance these benefits through superior bioavailability and cellular uptake.
"The Cmax was 11.18 in the test group and 8.99 in the control group, reflecting a statistically significant increase."
Overall, the liposomal helped vitamin C enter the bloodstream more efficiently and remain elevated longer than the standard formulation.
Zinc Levels Were Higher
Zinc levels were consistently higher, appearing elevated as early as 30 minutes and continued 6 hours post-dose.
"At 0.5 h after ingestion, the plasma zinc concentration was 128.67 in the test group and 87.62 in the control group… This pattern persisted from 1 to 6 h, with the test group consistently exhibiting significantly higher concentrations."
This graph shows that the liposomal zinc formula (LMN-2) led to much higher zinc levels in the blood over time compared to the non-liposomal version (NLMN-2).
When looking at peak zinc levels, the liposomal again performed better.
"The Cmax in the test group was 199.55, compared to 131.61 in the control group, reflecting a statistically significant increase."
The most comprehensive measure of total zinc absorbed over time (iAUC) showed the largest difference:
- In Group A, total zinc exposure was 1.7× higher with the liposomal formula
- In Group B, it was about 2× higher
- Across all participants, it was 1.78× higher
"The iAUC for the test group was 764.43, versus 450.96 in the control group… 1.70 times greater in the test group than in the control group."
Liposomal delivery led to much better zinc absorption, with higher levels sustained over several hours and substantially greater total zinc exposure.
Iron Absorption Increased
Across all participants combined, the liposomal product kept iron levels raised 2 hours after taking the dose, appearing at different times depending on the group.
In Group A, iron levels were noticeably higher between 2 after taking the liposomal formula.
- At 2 hours: 127.83 vs 94.17
- At 3 hours: 130.17 vs 94.83
- At 4 hours: 124.67 vs 93.83
This graph shows that the liposomal iron formula (LMN-1) led to far higher iron levels in the blood over time compared to the non-liposomal version (NLMN-1).
In Group B, the same effect appeared a bit later, between 6 and 8 hours, with the liposomal formula again showing higher iron levels.
"At 6 h after ingestion, plasma iron concentration reached 155.44 in the test group and 98.11 in the control… At 8 h after ingestion, plasma iron concentration in the test group was 155.89 and 101.1 in the control group, indicating another significant increase."
The total amount of iron absorbed over the 12-hour period (iAUC) was much larger with the liposomal formula:
- ~2.9× higher in Group A
- ~3.5× higher in Group B
- ~3.17× higher across all participants
Peak iron levels were also higher with the liposomal version.
"The Cmax was 139.85 in the test group and 113.25 in the control group."
The liposomal multinutrient helped the body take up substantially more iron and maintain higher iron levels over time, without changing how quickly iron peaked.
Conclusion
This randomized crossover trial provides clear evidence that liposomal delivery enhances short-term absorption, despite identical nutrient formulas.
"Across the entire study population, vitamin B3 concentrations were significantly higher at all sampling points, and levels of vitamin C (1–8 h), zinc (0–6 h), and iron (0.5–12 h) also showed substantial increases."
"Cmax for vitamin B3, zinc, and iron was significantly greater with liposomal supplementation."
"The total iAUCs for vitamin B3, vitamin C, zinc, and iron were 1.7 to 3.5-fold greater in the test group compared to the control."
These findings support the use of liposomal multinutrients as a more efficient delivery method for improving nutrient uptake. Comprehensive research on liposomal delivery efficacy continues to validate that these advanced formulations offer superior bioavailability across multiple nutrient classes, making them an important advancement in supplementation technology.
