Push-Catch System for Effective Detoxification (FebMarch 2018) Townsend Letter, Alternative Medicine Magazine

From the Townsend Letter
February / March 2018

Order this issue!

A Push-Catch System That Enables Effective Detoxification
by Christopher Shade, PhD, and Carrie Decker, ND

Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Nanoscale Delivery Systems Optimize Detoxification
In order to appropriately time the cellular and hepatobiliary flushing of toxins with a gastrointestinal binder to properly bind and eliminate them, a nutritional delivery system with rapid uptake and cellular delivery is necessary. Lipid nanoparticle delivery systems pose a feasible solution, as appropriately designed lipid-based vesicles have the potential for rapid uptake into circulation and greatly increased cellular delivery.¹⁸⁶ However, not all liposomal and nanoemulsifed particles are able to deliver these benefits, as only appropriately sized particles with properly designed surface chemistry enable rapid intraoral absorption and enhanced cellular delivery.

Particle size has a dramatic effect on systemic and cellular absorption, the capacity of the vesicles to extravasate from blood vessels and permeate into tissues, and the ability to evade immune system clearance.¹⁸⁷ The consideration of each of these factors has led to the optimal sizing of lipid nanoparticle delivery systems in the range of 50 to 100 nm. As capillary pore size ranges from only 6 to 12 nm in endocrine glands to 50 to 180 nm in the discontinuous leaky capillaries,¹⁸⁸ it is obvious that only the small liposomes will be able to permeate into the tissues through these openings.

Surface modifying techniques also can be used to improve the ability of lipid nanoparticles to traverse through the blood vessel endothelium and be absorbed by the tissues.¹⁸⁹Particles utilizing surface hydration technology have been observed to dramatically increase intraoral absorption of liposomal particles, as shown in Figure 5, which compares delivery of B12 with and without surface modification to that of non-liposomal B12. Intelligently-designed surface modifications of lipid nanoparticles have also been shown to prolong the time a therapeutic agent is in circulation, reducing clearance by the mononuclear phagocyte system.¹⁹⁰

Figure 5: Comparison of B12 absorption intraorally in human subject.

Although absorption of the very small lipid nanovesicles primarily occurs intraorally, there always will be a percentage of the nanoparticle-containing liquid which is swallowed and experiences lower gastrointestinal absorption. In this setting, the lipid vesicle serves to protect the substances which it contains from degradation by the harsh gastric juices. These particles are absorbed via the lymphatics, which also allows for them to bypass first-pass hepatic metabolism, increasing bioavailability.¹⁹¹

In addition to their use in clinical applications for the delivery of drugs including anti-cancer, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory medications,^192,193 lipid nanoparticle delivery systems have been shown to dramatically improve absorption of a variety of natural substances such as DIM and milk thistle, which otherwise have poor bioavailability.^194-196 Liposomal delivery systems are becoming increasingly popular for delivery of substances such as glutathione because they protect it from breakdown in the digestive system, and, in cell culture studies, have been shown to dramatically increase intracellular delivery 100-fold over non-liposomal formats.¹⁹⁷ Because optimally-sized liposomes with intelligent surface modifications prolong the time the therapeutic core remains in circulation, they are ideal for the delivery of many substances for which a prolonged systemic effect is desirable. Phosphatidylcholine, which forms the external membrane of lipid nanoparticles, also nourishes cellular membranes by providing necessary phospholipids for cellular repair.¹⁹⁸

Although many products claim improved bioavailability via liposomal delivery, few are able to truly deliver the increased absorption these systems are capable of. However, with appropriately engineered lipid nanoparticle delivery systems, the rate of absorption, cellular delivery, and bioavailability of many medications and natural substances can be dramatically enhanced.

Page 1, 2, 3, 4

The Townsend Letter is dedicated to examining and reporting on functional and integrative medicine. Our editorial content depends on support from readers like you, and we would appreciate your help to keep this content forthcoming. Please take this opportunity to contribute $50, or choose one of the other amounts listed on the next page, and ensure that our independent voices keep up the good fight against the skeptics, who would like to silence us and eliminate your medical freedoms.

Figures, larger in .pdf
References .pdf

Dr. Christopher Shade, PhD, founder and CEO of Quicksilver Scientific, specializes in the biological, environmental, and analytical chemistry of mercury in all its forms and their interactions with sulfur compounds, particularly glutathione and its enzyme system. He has patented analytical systems for mercury speciation (separation of different forms of mercury), founded the only clinical lab in the world offering mercury speciation in human samples, and has designed cutting edge systems of nutraceuticals for detoxification and antioxidant protection, including advanced phospholipid delivery systems for both water- and fat-soluble compounds. Dr. Shade is regularly sought out to speak as an educator on the topics of mercury, environmental toxicities, neuroinflammation, immune dysregulation, and the human detoxification system for practitioners and patients in the United States and internationally.

Dr. Carrie Decker, ND, graduated with honors from the National College of Natural Medicine (now the National University of Natural Medicine) in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Decker sees patients at her office in Portland, OR, as well as remotely, with a focus on gastrointestinal disease, mood imbalances, eating disorders, autoimmune disease, and chronic fatigue. Prior to becoming a naturopathic physician, Dr. Decker was an engineer and obtained graduate degrees in biomedical and mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign respectively. Dr. Decker continues to enjoy academic research and writing, and uses these skills to support integrative medicine education as a writer and contributor to various resources.

Contact information:
Christopher Shade, PhD
christopher.shade@quicksilverscientific.com
1376 Miners Dr., Ste. 103
Lafayette, Colorado 80026

Carrie Decker, ND
BlessedThistleND@gmail.com
728 NE Dekum St.
Portland, Oregon 97211

Consult your doctor before using any of the treatments found within this site.

Subscriptions are available for Townsend Letter, the Examiner of Alternative Medicine
magazine, which is published 10 times each year. Search our pre-2001 archives for further information. Older issues of the printed magazine are also indexed for your convenience.
1983-2001 indices ; recent indices. Once you find the magazines you'd like to order, please
use our convenient form, e-mail subscriptions@townsendletter.com, or call 360.385.6021.

360.385.6021
Fax: 360.385.0699
info@townsendletter.com