You can take certain sources of omega-3 fatty acid supplements with a multivitamin. Flaxseed oil and cod liver oil supplements provide excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids; however, cod liver oil supplements may put you at risk of vitamin toxicity when combined with a multivitamin. Speak to your doctor or health care provider about safe sources of omega-3 fatty acid supplements before you combine them with a multivitamin.
Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil provides alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-derived omega-3 fatty acid, which the body converts to the more potent eicosapentaenoic acid, better known as EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. Flaxseed oil contains a small amount of vitamin E and no other vitamins. Flaxseed oil comes in capsule form or in liquid.
Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil provides an excellent source of EPA and DHA. It also has high levels of vitamin A and vitamin D. One tbsp. of cod liver oil contains 270 percent of the recommended daily allowance for vitamin A and 338 percent of the RDA for vitamin D. Cod liver oil comes in capsule or liquid form.
Vitamin A
Most multivitamins contain vitamin A. If you supplement flaxseed oil for omega-3 along with a multivitamin that contains vitamin A, no risk for toxicity exists. On the other hand, a multivitamin with vitamin A can cause problems if combined with cod liver oil. Symptoms of vitamin A toxicity include blurry vision, vomiting, nausea, headache and dizziness. Over the long term high levels of vitamin A stored in the body may lead to birth defects, liver problems and decreases in bone mineral density.
Vitamin D
The average multivitamin also provides vitamin D. In the case of flaxseed oil, no threat of vitamin D toxicity exists; however, cod liver oil provides a lot of vitamin D, so this combined with a multivitamin may expose you to vitamin D toxicity. Symptoms of too much vitamin D include heart arrhythmias, weight loss and excessive urination. Serious side effects can result from long-term surplus vitamin D intake; these include kidney stones, calcification of the veins, damage to the heart and blood vessels, and cancer, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Flaxseed Oil; David Zieve, M.D., M.H.A. et al.; May 2010
- eMedTV: Benefits of Cod Liver Oil; Kristi Monson, Pharm. D. et al.; January 2009
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements; Vitamin A and Carotenoids; April 2006 ;
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements; Vitamin D; June 2011
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