Researchers from Australia and San Diego-based wellness and supplement brand Cymbiotika, who funded the study, compared the absorption of a liposomal vitamin D3 formulation with a non-liposomal form by measuring circulating cholecalciferol concentrations.

While cholecalciferol concentrations also remained elevated for 48 hours, whereas the non-liposomal form returned to baseline, the reseachers noted that further studies are required to investigate if the acute effects translate into longer-term enhanced absorption.

“The broader physiological and clinical interpretation of these findings are yet to be determined,” they wrote in Frontiers in Nutrition.

Leveraging liposomal technology

Cymbiotika’s range of liposomal products has been key to its fast-growing success since 2019, with the company expecting to gross $200 million in revenue by the end of this year. The brand supplies liquid liposomal supplements across categories such as fitness, brain and gut health, and is backed by a large subscription base.

Liposomal technology helps to overcome bioavailability and absorption issues with certain nutrients, and is increasingly popular in the nutraceuticals market.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that requires bile acids to help it form micelles for absorption in the intestine.

“Standard vitamin D supplements frequently rely on passive micelle formation during digestion, which can contribute to variability in systemic exposure,” the researchers noted.

Encapsulating fat-soluble vitamin D inside phospholipid bilayers shields the nutrient from the harsh conditions in the stomach. The outer layer mimics biological membranes, enabling liposomes to pass through mucosal barriers and incorporate into the circulation and target tissues more effectively.

Study details

The crossover trial involved 12 adults who were randomly allocated to consume either a single dose of a liposomal vitamin D3 formulation (Cymbiotika) or a conventional non-liposomal vitamin D3 formulation. Following a 2-week washout period, they crossed over to take the other intervention.

Researchers collected blood samples over 48 hours post-supplementation and measured cholecalciferol concentrations.

The results showed that the liposomal formulation had a 1.9-fold higher area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) – a measurement that represents the integrated exposure of a substance in the bloodstream over a specific period of time.

The liposomal formulation also showed a higher peak concentration, and circulating cholecalciferol concentrations remained elevated above baseline at 48 h, whereas the other form returned to baseline.

The researchers noted the study’s limitations, including a small sample size, differing formulation characteristics, and the inclusion of 40 mg of coenzyme Q10 in the liposomal formulation, which was not present in the comparator. They recommended future longitudinal studies to evaluate the longer-term effects.

Source: Frontiers in Nutrition; doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1858064; “Enhanced acute absorption of vitamin D3 with a liposomal formulation (Cymbiotika) compared to a standard formulation in healthy adults: a randomized double-blind crossover study”. Authors: D. Briskey et al.