Nanoemulsions Explained: The Science Behind Nutrient Delivery
When it comes to supplements, we often focus on the ingredient. But there is another question worth asking:
How is that ingredient being delivered?
At Salty AF, we are interested in the science behind wellness, not just the latest trend. That means looking beyond what is in a supplement and understanding how the formulation is designed to help deliver it.
This is where nanoemulsions come in.
Nanoemulsion technology is a delivery system that uses extremely small droplets to disperse oil-based compounds in a liquid. Because these droplets are so small, they create a much larger surface area than conventional emulsions, which can influence how certain compounds dissolve, disperse, and become available for absorption.
So, what exactly is a nanoemulsion, and why are we interested in it?
What Is a Nanoemulsion?
At its simplest, a nanoemulsion is a mixture of two liquids that normally do not mix, such as oil and water. Think about salad dressing. Oil and water naturally separate. An emulsifier helps keep them mixed by breaking one liquid into tiny droplets suspended within the other.
A nanoemulsion takes this concept much further. The droplets are made extremely small, commonly measuring somewhere in the tens to hundreds of nanometres, depending on the formulation and definition being used.
That tiny droplet size is what makes the technology interesting. Smaller droplets create a much greater surface area relative to their volume. This can help certain poorly water-soluble compounds disperse more effectively in a liquid environment and may improve their bioaccessibility and, for some ingredients, bioavailability.
Why Does Droplet Size Matter?
Imagine having one large drop of oil versus thousands of microscopic droplets of oil spread throughout water. The microscopic droplets have far more surface area in contact with their surroundings. This matters because many vitamins, nutrients and plant compounds are lipophilic, meaning they dissolve more readily in fats than in water.
Vitamins such as A, D, E and K are examples of fat-soluble vitamins. Other compounds used in supplements, including CoQ10 and certain botanical compounds, can also have limited water solubility.
Nanoemulsion technology can help disperse these types of compounds into a liquid formulation, potentially making them easier to process in the digestive system. Research has explored nanoemulsions as delivery systems for vitamins, nutraceuticals and other bioactive compounds with poor water solubility.
How Do Nanoemulsions Work?
The process is easier to understand in three steps.
1. The active ingredient is incorporated into an oil phase
For an oil-soluble ingredient, the compound can be dissolved or dispersed within an oil component.
2. The oil is broken into tiny droplets
Specialised processing techniques are used to create extremely small droplets. Depending on the formulation, this can involve methods such as high-pressure homogenisation, microfluidisation or ultrasonication.
3. The droplets are dispersed in a liquid
The result is a formulation where tiny oil droplets are distributed throughout a water-based environment. The goal is to create a delivery system that can improve the dispersion, stability and accessibility of certain ingredients.
What Are the Potential Benefits of Nanoemulsions?
The benefits depend heavily on the specific ingredient and formulation, but research has identified several potential advantages of nanoemulsions.
Better Dispersion of Oil-Soluble Compounds
Some nutrients and bioactive compounds do not dissolve well in water.
Nanoemulsions can help disperse these compounds throughout a liquid, which can make them easier to formulate and potentially improve their availability during digestion.
Potentially Improved Bioavailability
Bioavailability describes how much of a substance becomes available to the body after consumption.
Because of their small droplet size and large surface area, nanoemulsions can influence how certain compounds are digested and absorbed. Research has shown potential for improving the bioavailability of some poorly water-soluble nutrients and nutraceuticals.
However, this is an important distinction:
Nanoemulsion does not automatically mean better absorption for every ingredient.
The outcome depends on the specific compound, formulation, ingredients used and how the body processes it.
Improved Stability
Nanoemulsion systems can also help protect certain active compounds from environmental factors such as oxidation or degradation, depending on the formulation. That can be particularly useful for sensitive nutrients and plant-based compounds.
Flexible Delivery
Nanoemulsions have applications far beyond dietary supplements. Researchers have explored them for pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and topical formulations.
This versatility is part of what makes the technology so interesting.
Nanoemulsions vs. Liposomes
If you read our blog about liposomal supplements, you might be wondering how nanoemulsions are different.
They are both advanced delivery technologies, but they are not the same thing.
| Liposomal delivery | Nanoemulsion delivery |
| Uses phospholipids to form microscopic vesicles | Uses tiny droplets of one liquid dispersed within another |
| Can carry water-soluble or fat-soluble compounds depending on the formulation | Particularly useful for oil-soluble compounds |
| The active ingredient is incorporated into or associated with the liposome | The active ingredient is commonly incorporated into the oil phase |
| Delivery relies on the properties of the liposomal structure | Delivery is influenced by droplet size, composition and digestion |
Both technologies are designed to address different delivery challenges, but they do so in different ways.
Quicksilver Scientific incorporates nanoemulsion technology into a number of its formulations. The products cover different areas of wellness, from foundational nutrients and cellular energy to metabolic and immune support.
It is not simply about putting an ingredient into a bottle. It is about thinking about how that ingredient behaves, how it is formulated and how it can be delivered.
That fits perfectly with the Salty AF approach to smarter wellness.
Why Nanoemulsions Are Worth Understanding
At Salty AF, we believe smarter wellness starts with asking better questions.
Instead of simply asking, “What supplement should I take?”, it can be useful to ask:
- What is the ingredient?
- Why am I taking it?
- How is it formulated?
- And what do we actually know about how it is delivered?
Nanoemulsions are one example of how formulation science is evolving to address challenges around nutrient delivery, particularly for compounds that do not dissolve easily in water.
The technology is interesting, but it is not magic. A nanoemulsion does not automatically make an ingredient more effective, and the benefits depend on the specific compound and formulation.
For us, that is exactly what makes the science worth exploring.
Because when it comes to wellness, it is not only about what you put into your body. It is also about understanding how it gets there.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The potential benefits of nanoemulsion technology vary by ingredient and formulation. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting a new supplement.
