Why does Rho's Liposomal Vitamin C stand out?

Liposomal vitamin C is vitamin C encapsulated in a phospholipid sphere called liposomes. The format is used to support absorption throughout digestion. 

Liposomal describes a delivery method. It is not a regulated standard, and any product containing lecithin can use the term. Products in the category vary considerably in dose, encapsulation quality, format, and testing.

Key Takeaways

• The liposomal claim does not indicate how much vitamin C is in a serving. That amount is listed on the Supplement Facts panel.

• Phospholipid source and encapsulation method are the main quality differences between products in this category.

• The recommended dietary allowance for adults is 75 to 90 mg per day. Although this may be enough to address deficiency, it does not address optimized bodily function, and everyone’s vitamin C needs vary due to lifestyle factors, stress tolerance, and activity level. The tolerable upper intake level is 2,000 mg per day.

What Is Liposomal Vitamin C?

A liposome is a microscopic sphere formed from phospholipids, with a water-based center. Vitamin C is water-soluble, so it is carried inside that center. The surrounding lipid layer helps protect it during digestion to support absorption. 

The phospholipid used to form liposomes is phosphatidylcholine, which is derived from lecithin. Lecithin is extracted from either soybeans or sunflower seeds. The same principle applies across liposomal supplements, not only vitamin C.

Is Liposomal Vitamin C Better Than Regular Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is absorbed through active transport in the small intestine, and absorption efficiency declines as the dose increases. At intakes of 30 to 180 mg per day, roughly 70 to 90 percent is absorbed. At doses above 1 gram per day, absorption falls below 50 percent.

Liposomal delivery is one approach to that limitation. In a randomized crossover study, Davis et al. (2016) gave 11 adults a single 4 g dose of vitamin C in liposomal and unencapsulated forms on separate occasions. The liposomal form produced higher circulating vitamin C concentrations than the unencapsulated form. The human research on this format is limited to a small number of studies.

The differences between liposomal and regular vitamin C relate to absorption and tolerance. The nutrient itself is the same.

How to Choose the Best Liposomal Vitamin C

Five factors separate products in this category.

Check the Actual Vitamin C Content

The word liposomal on a front label does not indicate dose. Some products in this category contain relatively little vitamin C per serving.

The amount is listed on the Supplement Facts panel. Find the vitamin C line and read the amount in milligrams, then check the serving size listed directly above it. A stated amount sometimes requires two teaspoons or two sachets rather than one.

The panel also lists the form used. Ascorbic acid is the standard form. Sodium ascorbate is a buffered form that is less acidic and contributes a small amount of sodium. Some formulas contain both.

Consider the Format You Will Actually Take

Liposomal vitamin C is sold as a liquid, a sachet or gel, and a gummy.

Liquids allow the most dose flexibility and mix into water or juice. Most carry a use-by window after opening.

Sachets and gels are pre-measured and portable, which suits travel. They generally cost more per serving.

Gummies are the easiest format to take consistently. They contain less vitamin C per serving, often include added sugar, and maintaining encapsulation in a gummy base is difficult.

Consistency affects results more than small differences between formulations. The best format is the one taken regularly.

Confirm Third-Party Testing

Third-party testing means an independent laboratory has verified the manufacturer’s claims: that the ingredient matches the label, that the amount is accurate, and that contaminants including heavy metals and microbes fall within limits.

A certificate of analysis documents those results. A lot-specific certificate lists the batch number, test date, methods used, and results against a defined specification. A generic certificate with no batch number indicates the company tests some product, not that it tested the batch you bought. Companies that take third-party testing seriously make the lot-specific document available.

Review the Rest of the Formula

The other ingredients line lists everything that is not an active ingredient. Added sugars and artificial colors appear in some flavored formats. Preservatives are standard in liquid supplements.

Formulas that combine vitamin C with several additional actives generally contain less of each one.

Liposomal Vitamin C Benefits

Vitamin C has several established roles in the body. It is a required cofactor for collagen synthesis. It functions as an antioxidant. It supports normal immune function. It also increases absorption of non-heme iron from plant foods.

The liposomal format does not add benefits beyond these. It may support absorption and tolerance at higher intakes.

How Much Liposomal Vitamin C Should You Take?

The recommended dietary allowance is 90 mg per day for adult men and 75 mg for adult women. People who smoke need an additional 35 mg per day. The tolerable upper intake level for adults is 2,000 mg per day. Daily requirements vary from individual to individual due to lifestyle factors and specific nutrient needs. 

Liposomal products are frequently formulated above the RDA. The RDA is set to prevent deficiency, while higher intakes are taken to support tissue saturation rather than to correct a shortfall. Plasma concentrations plateau as intake rises, so higher doses do not produce proportionally higher levels.

Requirements can increase under physical stress. Follow the serving size on the label and stay below the upper limit unless a healthcare provider has advised otherwise.

Liposomal Vitamin C Side Effects and Cautions

The most common side effects occur at high intakes and are gastrointestinal: loose stools, cramping, and nausea. These result from unabsorbed vitamin C drawing water into the intestine. The liposomal format tends to produce fewer of these effects, because less unabsorbed ascorbate reaches the lower intestine.

Three further considerations apply.

• Vitamin C is metabolized in part to oxalate. People with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones should discuss high intakes with their provider.

• Vitamin C increases non-heme iron absorption. This is relevant for anyone with hemochromatosis or another iron overload condition.

• Products made with soy lecithin contain a soy allergen. Sunflower-derived products do not.

Consult your healthcare provider before starting if you take medication or manage a health condition.

Rho Liposomal Vitamin C

Measured against the criteria above, here is where Rho Liposomal Vitamin C lands.

• Vitamin C content. Listed per serving on the Supplement Facts panel. The formula uses both sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid.

• Phospholipid source. Non-GMO sunflower lecithin containing phosphatidylcholine, named on the label. The formula contains no soy, dairy, gluten, or nuts.

• Format. Liquid, taken directly or mixed into water or juice. Available as a single bottle or in multi-bottle packs.

• Testing. Every batch is third-party tested for identity, purity, potency, and contaminants. The product is made in a cGMP-certified, FDA-registered facility under current good manufacturing practice requirements.

• Other ingredients. Purified water, glycerin, orange oil, stevia leaf extract, and potassium sorbate. No added sugar and no additional active ingredients.

Follow the serving size on the label. If you take other products in the line, timing and pairing are worth checking, since some combine well and others are better spaced apart.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is liposomal vitamin C worth the extra cost?

It depends on the dose and on individual tolerance. At modest daily intakes, where absorption of standard vitamin C is already high, the format is unlikely to make much difference. At higher intakes, or for people who experience digestive upset with standard vitamin C, the case is stronger. The added cost pays for delivery, not for a different nutrient.

When is the best time to take liposomal vitamin C?

Any consistent time works. Vitamin C does not need to be taken with food, though taking it with a meal can help if you are sensitive. Taking it alongside an iron supplement increases iron absorption.

Can you take liposomal vitamin C every day?

Yes. Vitamin C is water-soluble and is not stored in large amounts, so daily intake is standard. Stay below the 2,000 mg upper limit for adults unless a provider has advised otherwise, and follow the serving size on the label.

Does liposomal vitamin C need to be refrigerated?

Usually not, though many liquids taste better cold and most carry a use-by window once opened. Refrigeration requirements vary by formula, so check the bottle.

References

Office of Dietary Supplements. (2021, March 26). Vitamin C: Fact sheet for health professionals. National Institutes of Health. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/

Davis, J. L., Paris, H. L., Beals, J. W., Binns, S. E., Giordano, G. R., Scalzo, R. L., Schweder, M. M., Blair, E., & Bell, C. (2016). Liposomal-encapsulated ascorbic acid: Influence on vitamin C bioavailability and capacity to protect against ischemia–reperfusion injury. Nutrition and Metabolic Insights, 9, 25–30. https://doi.org/10.4137/NMI.S39764

Linus Pauling Institute. (n.d.). Vitamin C. Micronutrient Information Center, Oregon State University. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-C

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Liposomal delivery is a technique used to help support the absorption and bioavailability of certain nutrients. Individual results may vary. Always consult your healthcare provider if you are taking medications or have a medical condition.