Drugs used to fight disease typically target specific physical systems or organs. Intravenous drips and injections are the most directly effective delivery method, transferring those medications directly to the blood. Orally administered drugs face degradation from the substances that accompany normal digestion. Liposomal encapsulation creates a protective bubble that wards off acids, while encouraging absorption.
Discoveries leading to this process emerged nearly fifty years ago, and have led to the introduction of more controlled methods of administering medications. It is currently important in treating serious medical conditions such as some forms of cancer, treatment-resistant fungal infections, and degenerative vision conditions commonly associated with old age. Standard drug delivery mechanisms still predominate, but encapsulation is proving equally beneficial.
For drugs to survive the upper digestive tract intact, they need to be protected by some kind of barrier that does not cause any additional physical problems. The best solution so far is to create microscopic drug capsules using a material that is already a part of cellular walls throughout the human organism. When activated using one of three primary methods available today, tiny protective liposome bubbles are formed.
They are microscopic, and can easily pass through the stomach into the small intestine where the coating slowly dissolves, allowing the medication to be absorbed. In many cases, this process actually improves the therapeutic impact, and has the additional benefit of producing fewer side effects. Not all types of medicine are adaptable to this delivery system, which is primarily associated with water-soluble substances.
Because it involves fewer undesirable reactions than invasive delivery, there are immediate advantages of using this process. Liposomes are bio-compatible and biodegradable, leaving behind no undesirable toxins. They not only survive the onslaught of digestive acids, but are able to function as small time-release ports within the gut. When potentially toxic drugs must be used to fight cancers, fewer sensitive tissues face unwanted exposure.
Even though already proven effective through use, there is a slight down side. Production costs are significantly high, but will likely experience a decline as greater demand influences the market. Seal leakage has been reported in some cases, and oxidation sometimes reduces overall effectiveness. During the process some drugs have experienced a decline in their half-life, and stability issues have occurred, but positive benefits still predominate.
The past several years witnessed a transition from mainly medical use to include internal delivery of nutritional supplements and even cosmetic substances. Anecdotal evidence abounds regarding the increased effectiveness of administering both vitamins and minerals in this manner. For years Vitamin C has enjoyed an enviable reputation for fighting upper respiratory viral infections, and encapsulated forms are thought to produce even better results.
Widespread information is available today regarding personal home encapsulation of vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts. Producing high-quality encapsulated products is both costly and involved, and is not proven to effectively combat aging issues. As this effective method of physical drug delivery is improved and becomes more widespread, consumers will benefit most from its introduction to existing beneficial heal regimens.
Discoveries leading to this process emerged nearly fifty years ago, and have led to the introduction of more controlled methods of administering medications. It is currently important in treating serious medical conditions such as some forms of cancer, treatment-resistant fungal infections, and degenerative vision conditions commonly associated with old age. Standard drug delivery mechanisms still predominate, but encapsulation is proving equally beneficial.
For drugs to survive the upper digestive tract intact, they need to be protected by some kind of barrier that does not cause any additional physical problems. The best solution so far is to create microscopic drug capsules using a material that is already a part of cellular walls throughout the human organism. When activated using one of three primary methods available today, tiny protective liposome bubbles are formed.
They are microscopic, and can easily pass through the stomach into the small intestine where the coating slowly dissolves, allowing the medication to be absorbed. In many cases, this process actually improves the therapeutic impact, and has the additional benefit of producing fewer side effects. Not all types of medicine are adaptable to this delivery system, which is primarily associated with water-soluble substances.
Because it involves fewer undesirable reactions than invasive delivery, there are immediate advantages of using this process. Liposomes are bio-compatible and biodegradable, leaving behind no undesirable toxins. They not only survive the onslaught of digestive acids, but are able to function as small time-release ports within the gut. When potentially toxic drugs must be used to fight cancers, fewer sensitive tissues face unwanted exposure.
Even though already proven effective through use, there is a slight down side. Production costs are significantly high, but will likely experience a decline as greater demand influences the market. Seal leakage has been reported in some cases, and oxidation sometimes reduces overall effectiveness. During the process some drugs have experienced a decline in their half-life, and stability issues have occurred, but positive benefits still predominate.
The past several years witnessed a transition from mainly medical use to include internal delivery of nutritional supplements and even cosmetic substances. Anecdotal evidence abounds regarding the increased effectiveness of administering both vitamins and minerals in this manner. For years Vitamin C has enjoyed an enviable reputation for fighting upper respiratory viral infections, and encapsulated forms are thought to produce even better results.
Widespread information is available today regarding personal home encapsulation of vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts. Producing high-quality encapsulated products is both costly and involved, and is not proven to effectively combat aging issues. As this effective method of physical drug delivery is improved and becomes more widespread, consumers will benefit most from its introduction to existing beneficial heal regimens.
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