In the dietary supplement industry, Glutathione (GSH) and NAD+ have long been recognized for their powerful benefits. GSH is well-documented for skin brightening and liver support, while NAD+ is widely regarded as a core coenzyme in cellular energy metabolism.

But for years, there's been a persistent gap between the science and real-world consumer outcomes. Many products on the market look good on paper but fail to deliver tangible effects. The result? Intense price competition, low repurchase rates, and high marketing costs with little differentiation.

The problem isn't the ingredients themselves—it's the delivery system.

Why standard GSH and NAD+ fall short

GSH: As a tripeptide (glutamate, cysteine, and glycine linked by peptide bonds), GSH is rapidly broken down by gastric acid and gastrointestinal peptidases (carboxypeptidases and aminopeptidases) into free amino acids or dipeptides. The amount of intact GSH molecules reaching small intestinal epithelial cells is extremely low. Furthermore, even if a small amount is absorbed, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in the liver further metabolizes it, further reducing systemic exposure.

NAD+: With a molecular weight of 663.4 Da, significantly exceeding the conventional threshold for small-molecule passive diffusion (<500 Da), cell membrane permeability to NAD+ is extremely low. Oral administration of raw NAD+ is almost incapable of being effectively taken up by cells. Current alternative strategies (such as supplementing precursors like NMN or NR) still rely on tissue-specific enzymatic conversion activity, with significant efficiency variations across different organs, failing to achieve direct and controllable NAD+ replenishment.

The result? Most of the active ingredient never reaches target tissues in sufficient quantity. Without real efficacy data, brands struggle to differentiate or command premium pricing.

A technology-driven solution

INNOBIO has developed the Durlip™ Liposome Technology Platform, which encapsulates GSH and NAD+ in a phospholipid bilayer for targeted delivery and enhanced absorption.

·Durlip™ Liposomal GSH – Key Data

Microstructural characterization: Electron microscopy reveals complete spherical liposome structure with uniform particle size and intact encapsulation.

Sensory data: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis shows that at retention times of 1.54, 12.81, and 13.96 minutes, almost no carbon disulfide (rotten radish/sulfurous odor), 2-pentylfuran (grassy/beany odor), or hexanoic acid (sweat-like odor) are detected in Durlip™ Liposomal GSH, indicating excellent odor and taste profiles.

Bioavailability (SD rat model):

Experimental design: Healthy rats were selected and administered treatments. GSH concentrations in plasma and liver were measured for raw GSH material, Durlip™ Liposomal GSH, and other branded liposomal GSH products.

Conclusion: Plasma GSH level in the Durlip™ GSH group was 3.2× higher than that of the raw material group; liver GSH level was 2.3× higher than that of the raw material group.

·Durlip™ Liposomal NAD+ – Key Data

Physicochemical parameters: Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measured an average reconstituted particle size of 206.4 nm, with a unimodal distribution indicating uniform particle size.

Microstructural characterization: Multi-dimensional characterization via optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that Durlip™ Liposomal NAD+ exhibits a complete spherical liposome structure with no distinct crystalline structure of the raw material.

X-ray diffraction (XRD): Raw β-NAD+ material shows distinct crystalline absorption peaks at diffraction angles of 26.65°, 29.7°, and 37.75°. In Durlip™ Liposomal NAD+, these crystalline absorption peaks are either absent or significantly attenuated, indicating that the crystalline structure of NAD+ has been transformed and the active ingredient is well encapsulated within the liposomes.

Bioavailability (SD rat model):

Experimental design: Healthy rats were selected and administered treatments. NAD+ concentrations in plasma were measured for raw NAD+ material, Durlip™ Liposomal NAD+, and other branded liposomal NAD+ products.

Conclusion: The relative NAD+ increase brought by Durlip™ NAD+ was 4.1× higher than that of the raw material group. Liposomal encapsulation significantly improves the oral bioavailability of NAD+, transforming it from nearly non-absorbable to effectively utilizable.

What this means for brands

Durlip™ Liposomal GSH and NAD+ demonstrate that bioavailability can be significantly enhanced through technology. This is the technical foundation for brands to break free from dosage competition and build efficacy-driven product differentiation.

Currently, competition in the functional food industry is shifting from "whether an ingredient is present" to "how efficiently it is utilized." For brands, choosing the Durlip™ Liposome Series means that end consumers no longer need to rely on high dosages to compensate for poor absorption. Instead, they can achieve verifiable physiological responses at standard dosages. This is the core basis for building technical barriers and achieving premium pricing.

INNOBIO's Durlip™ Series, with rigorous in vivo data, comprehensive microstructural characterization, and flexible formulation adaptability, provides a truly high-bioavailability solution for the two star ingredients GSH and NAD+. This marks a shift from viewing liposome delivery technology as an option to a necessity, redefining the development logic of functional food ingredients.

Make "effective" truly happen — starting from absorption.