Health, Healing & Hummingbirds

The term liposomal comes from two Greek words: 'lipos' meaning fat and 'soma' which means body. Liposomes were discovered in the UK in 1961. As well as vitamin C, liposomal nano-technology has been used as a delivery system for anti-cancer drugs such as Doxorubicin, Camptothecin and Daunorubicin and to deliver enzymes and nutritional supplements to foods.

 

Liposomal or lypospheric vitamin C (Lypo-C for short) is a new form of vitamin C delivery that is taken orally, just like vitamin C powders or tablets, but that has an absorption rate similar to that of vitamin C given intravenously (IVC).

 

As The Vitamin C Foundation explain,

 

Almost 100% absorption is the key. Liposomal vitamin C is released from the liposomes in the liver almost perfectly imitating the animal release of vitamin C. The liposomal form of vitamin C may become important oral cancer adjunct by helping to maintain high blood levels of ascorbate - vitamin C, especially in people who have trouble tolerating ordinary pills due to gas and diarrhoea.

     Our tests with liposomal vitamin C have been amazing. No gas or diarrhoea at double the dosages that usually create these effects in our subjects.  The Foundation recommends utilizing Lypo-C after you reach bowel tolerance with ordinary ascorbic acid.

     ‘Liposome-encapsulated Ascorbate Liposomes were first proposed as a unique drug delivery system approximately 35 years ago (Bangham, 1995; Gregoriadis, 1995). One of the primary reasons for utilizing a liposome-encapsulation delivery system is to assure a near complete absorption of the encapsulated nutrient or drug into the bloodstream. The physical qualities of the liposome also eliminate the need for digestive activity before absorption.’

 

 

How much does liposomal vitamin C cost?

Lypo-C is significantly more expensive than standard vitamin C powders or tablets, although it is still significantly cheaper than vitamin C given by IV.

 

A 50 g vitamin C IV may cost roughly $110 to $150; 50 g of Lypo-C costs roughly $50 to $70, while 50 g of plain ascorbic acid costs roughly $2 to $5.

 

A standard dose for a vitamin C IV is 50 g and the cost is $110 to $150; a standard dose of Lypo-C is 2 -6 packets, costing $2 to $6; a standard high dose of 25 -50 g of plain ascorbic acid costs roughly $1 to $5.

 

The absorption, bio-availability and tolerance level of each type of vitamin C must be taken into account along with price, however.

 

 

How well is each of the different types of vitamin C absorbed?

The amount of vitamin C that enters the bloodstream with oral vitamin C is around 20%. For Lypo-C this figure is around 90%, and IVs deliver 100% of the vitamin C into the bloodstream directly.

 

Vitamin C given by IV is vastly superior to vitamin C taken orally. Vitamin C experts Dr Levy explains that after much experimentation and deliberation, he has concluded that liposomal vitamin C may in fact be superior to vitamin C given by IV, but that the most powerful clinical effect may be achieved with a combination of the two.

In a recent lecture, Dr Levy explained that Lypo-C may be far more readily absorbed intracellularly than IVC. This makes it far more clinically effective as intracellular absorption, where the vitamin C gets inside the cells that are most in need of it, is ‘your ultimate bio-target.’ He explains that he has observed the superiority of liposomal vitamin C as compared to IV vitamin C in practice many, many times, though he readily acknowledges that this theory has not yet been rigorously proven.

 

In the lecture Dr Levy states ‘5-6 g of liposomal vitamin C is more effective clinically than 50 g of vitamin C by IV.’

 

He goes on to talk about the benefits of liposomal vitamin C in developing countries such as Africa, where he has been working recently, where it is impossible to administer the 48 hour or more constant IV vitamin C favoured by vitamin C experts such as the late Dr Frederick Klenner. He describes one case where he was able to successfully treat a patient seriously ill with hemorrhagic dengue fever with 10 – 12 sachets of Lypo-C given over 2 days, where previously he would have had to administer hundreds of grams of vitamin C by IV to have had the same effect. Dr Levy also comments that he has observed these same affects in many other diseases.

 

To view the video of this lecture, see: Dr Levy’s presentation to the 35th Annual Cancer Convention pt3-4

 

Dr Levy writes:

 

I found that liposome encapsulated vitamin C, taken orally, was roughly 10 times more effective clinically in resolving infectious diseases than the IVC. Having given thousands of IVCs and taken hundreds myself, this was difficult to comprehend, even though the clinical observation was quite straightforward. I subsequently realized that the liposome gave the ultimate bioavailability: intracellular delivery, including the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and even the nucleus. 2 to 6 packets daily covers most individuals for most situations.

 

 

How well is liposomal vitamin C tolerated by the gut?

Liposomal vitamin C utilises nano-technology and so is very small, and requires no digestive activity prior to assimilation.  The liposomes are rapidly absorbed in the small intestine and then transported intact throughout the bloodstream to the cells that need it. This means that it may be the best choice for those patients that cannot tolerate the gut irritation caused by standard oral vitamin C supplements or that wish to reduce the load on the gut due to severe M.E. (which causes a lack of blood flow to the gut) or other diseases.

 

Lypo-C also has no binders, fillers, gelatines, capsule materials, dyes, sweeteners, or flavourings common with tablet and capsule supplements. It contains a mixture of ‘essential phospholipids’ – predominately phosphatidylcholine – and pharmaceutical-quality ascorbic acid.

 

 

How does one take liposomal vitamin C?

Lypo-C (which is GMO-free) is sold in 1 g sachets. One pours the contents of the sachets into a glass of water and then drinks it. Lypo- C is best taken 15 minutes before meals. Some people say they like the taste of this supplement, and others say it tastes terrible.

 

Only one sachet should be taken at a time, and the doses should be spread out as much as possible over the course of a day. Dosage is usually 2 – 6 sachets daily.

 

 

Is having vitamin C by IV still worthwhile?

Dr Levy says that if you are very ill, then you should not replace vitamin C by IV with Lypo-C – you should have both. He believes that if you have some liposomal vitamin C and then you have a 50 g vitamin C IV, and will will absorb even more vitamin C from the IV intracellularly because of the liposomes circulating in the blood and waiting to facilitate that second stage of absorption and bioavailability. Again he comments that while he has observed this effect in many of his patients, it is yet to be proven.

 

Looking at Dr Levy’s comments, it seems as if 1 g of Lypo-C may be considered roughly camparable with 10 g of IVC. Taking 1 g of Lypo-C is about the same as taking 3-4 g of standard oral vitamin C.

 

 

Conclusion

There are many ways that liposomal vitamin C may be combined with other forms of vitamin C. How much Lipo-C is taken may depend on budget and tolerance. For example, one might:

* Take 8 – 30 g of ascorbic acid powder (with bicarb if needed) plus 1 – 4 sachets of Lypo-C daily

* Take 8 – 30 g of ascorbic acid powder daily, plus 2 – 4 sachets of Lypo-C once or twice a week or once a fortnight.

* Take 2 - 4 sachets of Lypo-C daily, plus 2 extra sachets of Lipo-C once or twice a week.

* Take 2 - 6 sachets of Lypo-C daily, plus a 50 g vitamin C IV once a week.

* Take 8 – 30 g of ascorbic acid powder plus 1 – 4 sachets of Lypo-C daily, plus a 50 g vitamin C IV administered (at the doctor’s surgery or at home with the assistance of a friend or family member that is a qualified nurse) once or twice a week or once a fortnight (and trial discontinuing the IVs after 6 - 12 months).

* Take 8 – 30 g of ascorbic acid powder plus 1 – 4 sachets of Lypo-C daily, plus a 50 g vitamin C IV administered once or twice a week or once a fortnight (and trial discontinuing the IVs after 6 months).

 

It is generally recommended that Lypo-C and/or vitamin C by IV be used only after bowel tolerance has been reached with ordinary oral vitamin C, or at least a reasonably high dose. Building up the dose slowly is ideal.

 

This new nano-technology vitamin C delivery system may be a good choice and a wonderful new discovery for those that can afford it. It provides an alternative to IVs and for those who do not have access to IVs.

 

This treatment should be trialled for at least 2-3 months. After 6 – 12 months of treatment it may not be necessary to take such a high dose as was needed at the beginning of treatment. The maintenance dose of vitamin C is often much lower than the initial effective dose.

The Natural vitamin C and so-called Vitamin C-complex paper explains the truth behind the outrageous false claims that very small amounts of so-called 'natural' vitamin C are not just equal but far superior to multi-gram doses of ascorbic acid.


Those who say that food source C is the only one that works and that ascorbic acid doesn't help anyone and is toxic to the body...has no idea what they are talking about, and has not read (or understood) any of the masses of literature on ascorbic acid.


Ascorbic acid at higher doses has saved thousands of lives. Those people wd have died if given food based C in 250 - 1000 mg (or so) doses instead, as some people recommend.


Synthetic vitamin E should be avoided and is inferior to natural vitamin E (with all 8 forms) but Vitamin C is different. A one-size-fits-all approach in assessing supplements or nutrients is unscientific and unhelpful.


Ascorbic acid is the form of vitamin C produced by the liver in animals whose livers and kidneys still make it in the body, as humans used to. Our bodies are primed to use ascorbic acid extremely well.



I recommend getting your information on vitamin C from experts who have devoted their lives to studying it and the effects it has on saving lives and reversing, preventing or improving disease. Not from 'dabblers' or supplement manufacturers. There is a long list of vitamin C experts: Cathcart, Klenner, Levy etc. They know their stuff and all of them bar none use ascorbic acid for serious disease.


You can't get the same dosage or saturation with food based, it's impossible. Some bioflavonoids in supplemental form are fine to take as well as the ascorbic acid of  course. They do no harm, and may have benefits. Bioflavonoids are not essential to the effect of ascorbic acid at an appropriate dose.


Ascorbic acid is extremely safe, inexpensive and effective. It helps a lot of people an enormous amount and has saved many lives. Low dose 'natural' vitamin C doesn't even remotely have the same benefits. Those pushing the 'ascorbic acid is unnatural, unsafe, toxic and just makes expensive urine' nonsense are really doing a disservice to people.


"There is no form of Vitamin C more "natural" than the molecule that virtually all species manufacture in their livers or kidneys - L-ascorbic acid. This molecule in chemical notation is C6H8O6, and your body can't tell the difference between these molecules. " Owen Fonorow

"Man's body was designed to function best with high blood and cellular levels of vitamin C - synthesised as needed by the liver. Due to an inborn error of metabolism, the vast majority of us no longer have the ability to make it, but that does not lessen our need for vitamin C or the benefits derived form it." Dr Thomas Levy, author of Curing the Incurable and Primal Pancea


For more information on this, please see any of the books listed on this site by genuine vitamin C experts and check out this great free PDF on this topic by the Vitamin C Foundation: Natural vitamin C and so-called vitamin C complex




"The ascorbate ion, the fraction commonly found in ascorbic acid, or one of the salts, e.g., sodium ascorbate or calcium ascorbate, is vitamin C. This is the substance that when missing in the diet causes death by scurvy. There is no scientific debate about this fact. The scientific literature is so voluminous that few would be capable of digesting it. Part of the problem is that today’s dietitians and orthodox nutritionists are taught to ignore much of the early research and medical doctors are not well versed in vitamin C either. Apparently this knowledge vacuum has opened the door to the emotionally appealing idea of a “natural” vitamin C-complex."

"It is known that animals generally do not require vitamin C in their diets. Almost all mammals, and virtually all animals, synthesize ascorbic acid in the liver or kidney. While most animals synthesize ascorbic acid, there is no scientific evidence that any animal synthesizes the ill-defined C-complex within its body."

"Any review of the scientific literature that spans 80 years and includes more than 100,000 published studies and reports, concludes that what is commonly called vitamin C, the ascorbate ion, or simply ascorbic acid, is the real vitamin C."

"Fortunately for humanity, synthetic vitamin C is inexpensive, offering the hope of better health to everyone. Vitamin C researcher Ralph Lotz points out that the 100 mg of the “natural vitamin C complex” sold by one company is 1,315 times more costly than synthetic vitamin C."

"Vitamin C as ascorbic acid is unique among the vitamins. Ascorbic acid is produced by most animals in large amounts. Rather than a complicated coenzyme, ascorbic acid is a rather simple sugar-like molecule and the animals synthesize it using a 4-step process. Few species have survived after losing the ability to synthesize ascorbate. This has created a valid argument as to whether vitamin C is really a “vitamin” (the term vitamin implies a trace factor), or whether humans require this substance in much higher amounts. There are high concentrations of ascorbate in the adrenal glands, and animals produce more when they are under stress. Irwin Stone suggested that a more descriptive term for ascorbic acid is the “missing stress hormone.”"