Can you believe that the future of medicine is, in large part, based on working around stomach acid? That's right. Gastric acid is a mixture of mostly hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride and sodium chloride. It is extremely volatile, and it must be to fulfill its duty of breaking down the food you consume. The problem is that gastric acid works its magic on everything in the stomach including the spectrum of nutrients, medicines, supplements and pharmaceuticals we ingest before their active ingredients can be absorbed into the intestines. This causes a myriad of concerns including nutrient deficiencies.

Not to worry. The technology known as Nanoscience may just save us. The bottom line here is that traditional oral consumption of nutritional supplements and other medicines in pill form only allow for 10 to 30 percent absorption of nutrients due to premature deterioration. Hence, we now have various manifestations of nano-encapsulation.

Whether it is in the form of liposomal encapsulation, emulsification or some other phospholipid concentrate, nano-enapsulation guarantees the successful delivery of a microscopic nutrient package. Not only does this process drastically improve the absorption of these essential nutrients, but the package (or nanoparticle) itself is then simply metabolized like any other tissue of animal or plant origin. But, don't just take my word for it.

According to Parris M. Kidd, PhD, "The closed-sphere environment of the liposome is a stabilizing influence against degradation by digestive enzymes or other potentially harmful influences."

In his piece, Liposomes in Nutrition, B.C. Keller adds, "The beneficial action of liposomes in oral delivery of nutrients is due to several modes of their action, from improved nutrient solubilization and protection, possibly enhanced absorption (of small hydrophobic moieties), as well as direct entry into the blood stream."

Nano-encapsulation is undoubtedly a more efficient and effective means of nutrient delivery, but there is still a cherry to add to the top of this proverbial ice cream sundae of revolutionary medicine. That cherry is something called increased bio-availability. A nano-encapsulated supplement requires less active ingredients than a traditional supplement or pill, and yet, still performs better. To put it simply, you get more and waste less allowing for a larger reserve of medicinal compounds and nutrients for those who need them.

This technology is still very young, but its future is undeniably bright. Medicinal and All Natural Nanotechnology is limitless and virtually any substance can be encapsulated if it's necessary to boost overall health.

Perhaps Lisa Vollbrecht put it best in her essay "Nanoscience to Increase Nutritional Health" when she wrote, "Nanoscience may prove to be the key to a healthier population."

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