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.
- 1RDC Clinical, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- 2School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- 3Cymbiotika LLC, San Diego, CA, United States.
Abstract
Background
Vitamin D deficiency is increasingly prevalent and linked to impaired health and disease. While vitamin D3 supplementation is effective, variability in absorption can influence bioavailability and clinical responses, with formulation characteristics potentially contributing to this variability.Method
The aim of this randomized, double-blind, crossover absorption study was to compare the absorption of a liposomal vitamin D3 formulation (Cymbiotika) with that of a conventional non-liposomal vitamin D3 formulation. Healthy adult participants received a single oral dose of both formulations in random order separated by a 2-week washout period. Blood samples were collected over 48 h post-dose and plasma cholecalciferol concentrations quantified. Absorption parameters including area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), and time to peak concentration (Tmax) were calculated following baseline correction.Results
Twelve participants completed the study (mean age 34.3 ± 9.7 years; BMI 24.8 ± 2.7 kg/m2). The liposomal formulation showed greater systemic absorption compared with the comparator formulation, with a 1.9-fold higher AUC (199 vs. 106 ng·h/mL). Peak concentration was also higher for the liposomal formulation (8.4 vs. 6.0 ng/mL). Circulating cholecalciferol concentrations remained elevated above baseline at 48 h in the liposomal formulation but returned to baseline in the comparator formulation.Conclusion
These findings suggest that the Cymbiotika formulation may enhance the acute absorption of orally administered vitamin D3. Whether this enhanced acute absorption translates into improved long-term vitamin D status requires investigation in longer-term supplementation studies.Clinical trial registration
https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN39055102, identifier (ISRCTN39055102).
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BibTeX
@article{briskey2026enhanced,
title = {{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.}},
author = {David Briskey and Sandra Rahman and Shilpa Raut and Chervin Jafarieh and Amanda Rao},
journal = {Frontiers in nutrition},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fnut.2026.1858064},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42948046},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - 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.
AU - David Briskey
AU - Sandra Rahman
AU - Shilpa Raut
AU - Chervin Jafarieh
AU - Amanda Rao
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - Frontiers in nutrition
DO - 10.3389/fnut.2026.1858064
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42948046
AB - Background Vitamin D deficiency is increasingly prevalent and linked to impaired health and disease. While vitamin D3 supplementation is effective, variability in absorption can influence bioavailability and clinical responses, with formulation characteristics potentially contributing to this variability.Method The aim of this randomized, double-blind, crossover absorption study was to compare the absorption of a liposomal vitamin D3 formulation (Cymbiotika) with that of a conventional non-liposomal vitamin D3 formulation. Healthy adult participants received a single oral dose of both formulations in random order separated by a 2-week washout period. Blood samples were collected over 48 h post-dose and plasma cholecalciferol concentrations quantified. Absorption parameters including area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), and time to peak concentration (Tmax) were calculated following baseline correction.Results Twelve participants completed the study (mean age 34.3 ± 9.7 years; BMI 24.8 ± 2.7 kg/m2). The liposomal formulation showed greater systemic absorption compared with the comparator formulation, with a 1.9-fold higher AUC (199 vs. 106 ng·h/mL). Peak concentration was also higher for the liposomal formulation (8.4 vs. 6.0 ng/mL). Circulating cholecalciferol concentrations remained elevated above baseline at 48 h in the liposomal formulation but returned to baseline in the comparator formulation.Conclusion These findings suggest that the Cymbiotika formulation may enhance the acute absorption of orally administered vitamin D3. Whether this enhanced acute absorption translates into improved long-term vitamin D status requires investigation in longer-term supplementation studies.Clinical trial registration https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN39055102, identifier (ISRCTN39055102).
SN - 2296-861X
ER -