Liposomal Vitamin C

Description

NGD Care Liposomal Vitamin C: antioxidant, immune support and collagen in dogs, cats and humans

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin with an exceptionally broad action profile: it is both a powerful antioxidant, an essential cofactor for collagen synthesis, a supporter of the immune response and a direct facilitator of phase II detoxification in the liver via conjugation of toxins and heavy metals. What makes vitamin C unique among vitamins is its role as a regenerator of other antioxidants: ascorbate returns oxidized vitamin E and glutathione to their active form, effectively maintaining the entire antioxidant network.

Dogs, cats and horses can make vitamin C themselves via the liver from glucose, via the gulonolactone oxidase pathway. This distinguishes them from humans, who lack this enzyme. In practice, however, this endogenous production is not always sufficient: with old age, chronic disease, liver problems, intensive training, infections and chronic stress, vitamin C synthesis decreases significantly, while the requirement increases due to increased oxidative load. Supplementation in these situations is mechanistically well-founded.

The challenge with conventional oral vitamin C is the limited bioavailability at higher doses: absorption is via sodium-dependent transporters (SVCT1 and SVCT2) that saturate at approximately 200 mg per dose, after which excess ascorbate is excreted via the kidneys. NGD Care’s liposomal formulation partially circumvents this problem: phospholipids protect ascorbate from oxidative degradation in the gastrointestinal tract and facilitate absorption via endocytosis, separate from the satiable transporters. Liposomal preparations have consistently higher plasma concentrations than non-liposomal oral preparations at similar doses.

Vitamin C can be used in a wide range of indications: immune support in infectious diseases and chronic immune dysfunction, joint support via collagen synthesis, skin health and wound healing, post-operative recovery, liver detoxification in case of toxic load and as part of the NGD Care Gut Protocol in phase 1 for antioxidant protection in biofilm degradation.

Would you like to read more about the scientific background of vitamin C, liposomal absorption and its applications in dogs, cats and humans? Read the extensive background piece: Liposomal Vitamin C: Ascorbate, Antioxidant Network and Immune Function Explained.