Of conventional oral supplements, an average of 84% of the active ingredient never reaches the bloodstream. Less than 5% eventually arrive in the target cell. Stomach acid, digestive enzymes and the so-called first-pass metabolism in the liver mean that supplements rarely fully live up to their promise, unless the formulation actively solves this problem.
Liposomal technology does just that. Applied in pharmacy for more than fifty years, now available as a dietary supplement for dogs and cats.
6× higher B12 serum levels within 1 hour, versus weeks with tablets [Midra BV / Riepma, 2023] | +140% greater exposure over time (AUC) for liposomal vitamin C versus standard [Carr et al. 2025] | 12–8pm Efficacy duration liposomal above therapeutic threshold, versus 4–8 hours in nanoparticles [Łukawski et al. 2020] |
A liposome: identical to your own cell membrane
A liposome is a microscopic sphere of 100 to 400 nanometers, made up of a double-layered phospholipid membrane. Phospholipids are the same fat molecules that make up every cell membrane in the body. It is precisely because of this that the body recognizes liposomes as the body’s own: they are not broken down by the immune system and merge efficiently with target cells.
The technology has been around for more than fifty years. The first application was in oncology, for the targeted delivery of chemotherapy to cancer cells. The same principles are now used for the administration of nutrients to dogs and cats. The results are consistent.
What makes liposomes unique: they can carry both water-soluble and fat-soluble substances at the same time. Water-soluble substances (vitamin C, B12, NAD+) are found in the aqueous core; fat-soluble substances (curcumin, CBD, vitamin D3) are encapsulated in the lipid bilayer itself. No other oral delivery technology combines this so effectively.
How liposomes reach the cell and why it’s different
With conventional supplements, the absorption takes place through the blood, after digestion in the stomach and a passage through the liver. A large part is lost in the process. Liposomal supplements work differently through two parallel pathways.
Through the lymphatic system , liposomes are taken up by specialized cells in the intestinal wall and reach the bloodstream through the lymphatic vessels, without passing through the liver. The first-pass metabolism is completely bypassed. Via direct membrane fusion , the liposome fuses with the cell membrane and releases its contents directly into the cytosol of the target cell, without the intervention of transport proteins, not satiable, and also effective in damaged intestinal mucosa.
“The bio-availability increases from 3x up to 9 or 10 times. The levels reached will never be reached with the use of more tablets. The system of absorption from tablets and capsules differs fundamentally from that of liposomes.” — Dr. Klaas Riepma, pharmacist & head of R&D Midra BV (2023)
A special finding from Midra BV’s own research: liposomal vitamin B12 gives a measurable increase in plasma levels within one hour after use, both with oral and topical administration. With tablets, the same result takes weeks to months.
Not just how high the peak is, but how long it works
Nanoparticles (such as solid lipid nanoparticles) show a high initial burst: a large part of the charge is released in the first hours, after which the concentration drops rapidly. After 4 to 8 hours, the values are already below the therapeutic threshold.
Liposomes release their charge gradually via membrane fusion. This results in an even plateau that remains above the therapeutic threshold for 12 to 20 hours, three to five times longer than nanoparticles. For nutrients that require continuous cellular availability (NAD+, curcumin, B vitamins), this is the decisive difference.
Which substances benefit the most?
The greatest therapeutic gains are made with substances that are naturally poorly absorbed, unstable in the gastrointestinal tract, or where high cell concentrations are required for effect.
Curcumin has one of the lowest oral bioavailability of any phytochemical. After taking pure curcumin, blood levels are hardly measurable. Even at dosages of 12 grams per day. Liposomal curcumin achieves blood levels that are impossible with tablets: 3 to 9 times higher bioavailability with an extended half-life.
Vitamin B complex is partly broken down by stomach acid and absorbed satisfactorily via sodium-dependent transporters, with extra limits in older or sick animals. Liposomal B vitamins circumvent these limitations.
NAD+ and resveratrol are broken down quickly orally. Resveratrol in conventional form has a half-life of less than 15 minutes in circulation. Liposomal encapsulation significantly extends the effective duration of action.
Medicinal mushrooms contain beta-glucans and triterpenoids. Large molecules that are poorly absorbed in standard extracts. Liposomal processing makes their immune-modulating action therapeutically accessible.
Liposomal Supplements for Dogs and Cats
NGD Care works exclusively with Midra BV, led by pharmacist Dr. Klaas Riepma. Production entirely in Europe, with cryo-TEM quality verification per batch, non-GMO raw materials and no unnecessary excipients. Every product is scientifically substantiated.
Energy & support Liposomal B-complexAll eight B vitamins in liposomal form. For energy, nervous system and blood production. High absorbability also in case of intestinal problems. | Ignition inhibition Liposomal CurcuminCurcumin in liposomal matrix. Achieves blood levels that are impossible with regular curcumin. 3 to 9 times higher bioavailability. |
Would you like to read the full scientific substantiation, including all pharmacokinetic studies and literature references? The extensive article can be found on stefanveenstra.nl.
Sources: Riepma KA (2023) Midra BV; Carr et al. (2025) Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology; Ko et al. (2023) Nutrients; Łukawski et al. (2020) Journal of Liposome Research; Sandler et al. (2024) European Journal of Nutrition; LipoCellTech™ (2023); Frontiers in Nanotechnology (2026); Sercombe et al. (2015) Frontiers in Pharmacology; Anand et al. (2007) Molecular Pharmaceutics. Full bibliography via stefanveenstra.nl.