Vitamin C, also called Ascorbic Acid or Ascorbate, was discovered in 1747 by Scottish navel surgeon James Lind and was first synthesized in 1935. Vitamin C is known as the grandfather of Antioxidants. It's necessary for many functions in your body and deficiency can happen within 1 month of being on a low Vitamin C diet. Humans are one of the few mammals that can not produce it on their own. Although we have the gene to make Vitamin C, it is not turned on and scientists have not figured out how to turn it on. Studies show that because of our poor diet in North America, upwards of 33% of people are low in Vitamin C and upwards of 20% are severely deficient, producing symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency, otherwise known as Scurvy. Thankfully there are highly bioavailable forms of vitamin C, liposomal being one of them. 

Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency

Symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency can include:

  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Frequent infections
  • Swollen gums
  • Nose bleeds
  • Poor healing
  • Aches and pains
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sore loose teeth
  • Bone pain

Understanding Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant in your body protecting your body from free radical damage. It's a powerful electron donor for many enzymes, from making neurotransmitters in your brain, tyrosine, important for thyroid function, as well as the amino acids proline, and lysine.

It plays a role in the development and maintenance of blood vessels, scar tissue formation, and cartilage for the structure of joints, ligaments, tendons and blood vessels.

Vitamin C is also involved in collagen production – part of your skin, heart, blood vessels, joints, bones, ligaments, and tendons.

Vitamin C also plays a significant role in anti-aging, memory and immune support – upregulating the white blood cells phagocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes.

What is Liposomal C and How Does It Work?

Also called Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C, Liposomal Vitamin C is a special form of Vitamin C. Normally Vitamin C is considered a water-soluble Vitamin, which means it can only be effective in fluid environments, specifically in your blood, and in the fluid outside and inside your cells. The problem is Vitamin C in this water-soluble form has little effect on areas of your body that are fatty, specifically your brain, and the outside membranes of every cell in your body, including the cells that line your intestines, blood vessels, and organs. All cells are surrounded by a fatty phospholipid bi-layer. There are mechanisms for absorbing nutrients across this fatty phospholipid barrier but the easiest way is with something of similar structure like Lipo Vitamin C. This provides better absorption of Vitamin C into all cells. Also, much free radical damage occurs at this cellular level and without the right kind of fat-soluble antioxidant, your cell membranes are not protected.

Another area of concern is free radical damage to the Lipoproteins that carry fats and cholesterol in your blood. You may be familiar with LDL, known as 'bad' cholesterol and HDL known as 'good 'cholesterol. These are two kinds of Lipoproteins. Liposomal Vitamin C protects these Lipoproteins. Your body uses Lipoproteins to transport all fats in your body so it is important they remain intact and functional. Lipoproteins are susceptible to oxidation damage and to protect lipoproteins you need a fat-soluble antioxidant like Lipo Vitamin C.

This is because Liposomal Vitamin C is formulated in an emulsified form using phospholipids from lecithin. The phospholipids in lecithin make Vitamin C fat soluble. Liposomal Vitamin C not only allows Vitamin C to be an effective antioxidant where you need it at the cellular and Lipoprotein level, but it also allows for greater absorbability at the level of cell membranes and the intestines.

Normally oral Vitamin C has a threshold for how much your body can absorb from your intestines. This is called bowel tolerance. Each person's bowel tolerance varies from 1 to 20 grams daily. Diarrhea results once you've exceeded your bowel tolerance. For those who want higher levels of Vitamin C, and IV Vitamin C is not an option, Liposomal Vitamin C increases your ability to absorb higher amounts without the side effects of diarrhea.

Key Health Advantages of Liposomal Vitamin C

Liposomal Vitamin C is used for anyone who wants to make sure they are receiving high amounts of Vitamin C. Studies show the average oral vitamin C will only allow 20-30% absorption. Liposomal Vitamin C increases this percentage greatly without negative side effects.

Those whose diets are low in fruits and veggies will want to supplement with Liposomal Vitamin C as they will be at risk for developing Vitamin C deficiency. As such the elderly benefit from taking Liposomal Vitamin C.

Others susceptible to Vitamin C deficiency are those who smoke, as smoking depletes Vitamin C in our body.

Those with low immune function or chronic infections will also want to take Liposomal Vitamin C to ensure they are absorbing sufficient amounts for better immune fighting ability.

Also, Liposomal Vitamin C is great for those who have low bowel tolerance for regular oral Vitamin C or for those who are already prone to loose stools and do not wish for this to be aggravated.

Tips For Using Lipo Vitamin C Supplements

Open packets and stir Liposomal Vitamin C into juice or a health shake.

The dosage depends on the reason for taking Liposomal Vitamin C. For general health and anti-aging take 1000mg once to twice daily. For deficiency a minimum of 2000mg daily. And for chronic infections and adjunctive therapies take up to 10 000 mg daily in divided doses.