Each day, your cells rely on a range of vitamins to help promote proper cellular functioning and prevent disease. Vitamin A proves important to your overall health, as the nutrient supports your immune system, guides healthy tissue development and aids in the function of your visual system. However, some types of vitamin supplements, such as those containing vitamin A palmitate -- also called retinol palmitate -- can pose a significant health risk if consumed incorrectly.
Vitamin A Palmitate vs. Carotenoids
Vitamin A palmitate differs from carotenoids -- the vitamin A source present in many plant foods. Carotenoids, like beta-carotene, actually act as precursors to vitamin A. Following consumption, your body converts the carotenoid into vitamin A as needed, so your cells do not suffer exposure to very high levels of active vitamin A. Vitamin A palmitate, which is found in several multivitamin supplements, already represents active vitamin A and does not require a chemical conversion within your body to act on your cells. As a result, you can easily cause vitamin A toxicity if you over-consume vitamin A palmitate.
Overdose Side Effects
Following the over-consumption of vitamin A palmitate, you may develop a number of side effects. You may suffer digestive problems, such diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and loss of appetite, according to MedlinePlus. In addition, your skin reacts to the excess vitamin A by scaling and peeling, and you may develop cracking around your mouth. Excess vitamin A also affects your scalp, promoting hair loss. In addition, vitamin A palmitate overdose can cause behavioral changes, including fatigue or irritation.
Long-Term Side Effects And Damage
Very large doses of vitamin A palmitate or chronic over-consumption of vitamin A palmitate over time can also cause long-term side effects. One major risk of vitamin A palmitate overconsumption is the development of liver damage, as the excess vitamin A stored within your liver proves toxic to your liver cells. Vitamin A palmitate overdose might also cause brain damage, since the vitamin promotes fluid buildup in your skull, which can lead to seizures and nerve damage.
Cautions and Considerations
You can often easily avoid vitamin A palmitate overdose and toxicity by limiting your vitamin supplement intake. In many cases, dietary vitamin A consumption proves sufficient to prevent vitamin A deficiency. If you take supplements containing vitamin A palmitate -- including vitamin A supplements, multivitamins or fish oil supplements -- talk to your doctor about a safe dosage to meet your needs.
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