06 Jun The Real Deal on Nutrient Absorption and Liposomal Power with Mareya Ibrahim-Jones
Are you taking vitamin C supplements but feeling absolutely nothing? As someone who’s spent years helping midlife women reclaim their vitality, I’ve discovered that the problem isn’t that we’re not taking vitamin C – it’s that we’re taking it WRONG. The solution lies in understanding liposomal delivery, a breakthrough that’s changing everything for women like us.
Today, I’m sharing insights from my conversation with Mareya Ibrahim, a 56-year-old nutrition expert who doesn’t look anywhere near her age and has dedicated herself to understanding why so many midlife women struggle with supplement effectiveness – and what we can do about it.
The Vitamin C Crisis You Don’t Know You Have
Here’s something that shocked me during our conversation: vitamin C is the most deficient nutrient in our bodies, especially as we age. Dr. Thomas Levy, one of the foremost experts on vitamin C, confirmed this startling fact to Mareya – and it explains so much about why we’re struggling.
But here’s the real kicker: taking collagen supplements without adequate vitamin C is like trying to start a fire without a match. Vitamin C doesn’t just support our immune system – it’s the activation key that makes collagen actually work in our bodies.
For midlife women especially, vitamin C deficiency becomes critical. After 35, our collagen production slows dramatically, our immune systems need more support, and most diseases we’re seeing today – cancer, diabetes – are actually byproducts of oxidation that vitamin C helps prevent.
The Truth About Vitamin C Loss
While we think we’re getting enough from our diet, the reality is starkly different – the vast majority of us are vitamin C deficient.
Our food travels an average of 1,500 miles and takes five days to reach us. By the time that Florida orange arrives in California, it has lost 40-60% of its vitamin C content. Add to that soil depleted of critical nutrients and processing that further strips away vitamins – and suddenly vitamin C supplementation becomes essential, not optional.
The recommended daily allowances we see on vitamin C bottles? They’re designed to prevent scurvy, not help us thrive. There’s a massive difference between avoiding chronic disease and optimizing our energy, immune function, and longevity.
The Liposomal Breakthrough That Changes Everything
Mareya introduced me to liposomal vitamin C – a delivery technology that mimics our cell membrane structure to dramatically improve absorption.
Think of it this way: your cell membranes are primarily made of fat. When you take regular vitamin C (which is water-soluble), it can’t easily penetrate that fat barrier (like your oil and vinegar don’t mix in the bottle). But when vitamin C is encapsulated in a liposomal fat membrane, it becomes like a spacecraft with direct access to enter your cells.
The difference in absorption and effectiveness is remarkable – liposomal vitamin C gets this critical nutrient delivered directly where it needs to go, rather than hoping it survives the journey through your digestive system and actually makes it into your cells.
Why Liposomal Vitamin C Is Different
Here’s what makes liposomal vitamin C revolutionary for midlife women:
Direct Cellular Absorption – Instead of relying on your digestive system to break down and absorb vitamin C, liposomal delivery gets it directly into your cells where it can actually work.
No Stomach Upset – You can take liposomal vitamin C on an empty stomach without digestive issues, unlike traditional vitamin C supplements.
Pure Delivery – Liposomal vitamin C comes without sugar, additives, coatings, or fillers that can interfere with absorption or cause inflammation.
Convenient Format – The packets are incredibly easy to take on the go, fitting into gym bags or carry-ons for travel.
The most fascinating part? When you put liposomal vitamin C in water, it doesn’t dissolve – it floats. Mareya explained this is because you don’t want to break those microscopic fat spheres. Their integrity is what allows them to deliver the vitamin C directly to your cells.
The Biggest Supplement Mistakes Women Make
Through her research and personal experience (when she tore her ACL completely and chose to rehab without surgery, eventually going on to compete in two bodybuilding competitions), Mareya identified three critical mistakes that sabotage supplement effectiveness:
Poor Quality Products – If you’re seeing bright yellow urine after taking vitamins, you might be literally flushing money down the toilet. Not all supplements are created equal, and many use cheap forms that your body can’t properly absorb.
Ignoring the Science – We often trust that manufacturers have done the work for us, but that’s not always the case. Look for companies with patents, scientific backing, and transparency about their formulations.
Choosing Supplements You Won’t Actually Take – A counter full of pretty bottles that you never open won’t transform your health. Find delivery methods that fit your lifestyle and don’t cause digestive upset.
Your Action Plan: Where to Start
Mareya’s advice for overwhelmed midlife women resonates deeply: don’t try to eat the elephant in one bite. Start with the critical foundations:
- Hydration – Drink enough water to support all cellular functions
- Nutrient-dense whole foods – Focus on quality protein, colorful vegetables, and good fats
- Core supplements – Begin with vitamin C, magnesium, and B complex
- Gentle movement – Weight training twice a week and daily movement in nature
Remember, this isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress and understanding that midlife isn’t a downhill road – it’s an opportunity to optimize everything you’ve learned about your body.
Your supplements aren’t working because you’re missing the connections – you’re taking isolated nutrients instead of understanding how they work together. You’re choosing delivery methods based on convenience rather than absorption, and you might be accepting “good enough” when “thriving” is absolutely possible.
The science is clear: with the right combinations, proper delivery systems, and a mindset that believes in possibility, midlife can be your most vibrant chapter yet.
🍊 Save $56 (get a FREE B Complex) with purchase of the LivOn Midlife Bundle at http://livonlabs.com/nataliejill
The contents of the Midlife Conversations podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider. Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links mentioned on this podcast.
