Retinyl palmitate, or vitamin A palmitate, is the ester of retinol (vitamin A) and palmitic acid, with formula C36H60O2. An alternate spelling, retinol palmitate, which violates the -yl organic chemical naming convention for esters, is also frequently seen. Retinyl palmitate is a synthetic alternate for retinyl acetate in vitamin A supplements, and is available in oily or dry forms. It is a common vitamin supplement, available in both oral and injectable forms for treatment of vitamin A deficiency, under the brand names Aquasol A, Palmitate A and many others. It is a constituent of intra ocular treatment for dry eyes at a concentration of 138 µg/g (VitA-Pos) by Ursapharm. It is a pre-formed version of vitamin A; therefore, the intake should not exceed the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Overdosing preformed Vitamin A forms such as retinyl palmitate leads to adverse physiological reactions (hypervitaminosis A). Retinyl palmitate is used as an antioxidant and a source of vitamin A added to low fat milk and other dairy products to replace the vitamin content lost through the removal of milk fat.
Palmitate is attached to the alcohol form of vitamin A, retinol, in order to make vitamin A stable in milk. Retinyl palmitate is also a constituent of some topically applied skin care products. After its absorption into the skin, retinyl palmitate is converted to retinol, and ultimately to retinoic acid (the active form of vitamin A present in Retin-A). The Environmental Working Group (EWG) and New York Senator Chuck Schumer have called attention to the fact that high doses of topical retinyl palmitate were shown to accelerate cancer in lab animals,[2] fueling the sunscreen controversy in the popular press.[3] One toxicological analysis determined that "there is no convincing evidence to support the notion that [retinyl palmitate] in sunscreens is carcinogenic."[4] EWG disputed the findings, calling the report "faulty" and "misleading."[5] A technical report issued thereafter by the National Toxicology Program concluded that diisopropyl adipate increased incidence of skin tumors in mice, and the addition of either retinoic acid or retinyl palmitate both exacerbated the rate and frequency of tumors.
World Health Organization recommendation on Maternal Supplementation During Pregnancy states that "health benefits are expected for the mother and her developing fetus with little risk of detriment to either, from a daily supplement not exceeding 10,000 IU [preformed] vitamin A (3000 µg RE) at any time during pregnancy."[7] Preformed Vitamin A refers to retinyl palmitate and retinyl acetate. ^ Vitamin A, Linus Pauling Institute ^ National Toxicology Program. (2012). NTP technical report on the photocarcinogenesis study of retinoic acid and retinyl palmitate [CAS Nos. 302-79-4 (All-trans-retinoic acid) and 79-81-2 (All-trans-retinyl palmitate)] in SKH-1 mice (Simulated solar light and topical application study). Accessed September 19, 2013.Vitamin A is a group of compounds that includes retinoids and carotenoids. Vitamin A from plant sources is a carotenoid that your body can transform into a retinol, while vitamin A from animal sources is already in a form of retinol that's easily absorbed by your body.
Vitamin A palmitate is the form of vitamin A found naturally in animal sources and also produced synthetically. Vitamin A palmitate, also called retinyl palmitate or retinol palmitate, is found in animal sources. Daily dietary sources of vitamin A palmitate are found in liver, fish, whole milk, eggs, cheese and butter. Vitamin A palmitate is lost when the fat is removed from these sources, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Plant sources of vitamin A are carotenoids, found in alpha- and beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids are good sources of vitamin A but not of vitamin A palmitate. Vitamin A palmitate is also synthetically produced and used to fortify foods such as dairy products that have lost vitamin A palmitate in processing and breakfast cereals. Vitamin A palmitate supplements in liquid, powder and pill form are used to treat vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A palmitate is fat-soluble and can accumulate to toxic levels in your body. Too much vitamin A palmitate can be acutely toxic, too, and cause various symptoms such as headache, nausea or vomiting, according to a study headed by C. Carlier published in the 1993 issue of the “British Medical Journal.”
Adverse health effects such as birth defects, liver abnormalities and reduced bone mineral density may result from taking too much vitamin A. So before taking any vitamin A supplement, consult your physician or other health care provider. Vitamin A palmitate is manufactured in synthetic form for use in cosmetics to treat skin problems including acne and wrinkles. Natural retinoids are used in over-the-counter skin creams, but synthetic vitamin A palmitate, tretinoin and isotretinoin, is available by prescription only. Other uses for vitamin A palmitate include treatment of eye disorders such as Bitot’s spot, dry eye and retinitis pigmentosa. Distinguishing between those vitamin A products that contain carotenoids, which are not the same as retinol, and those that contain vitamin A palmitate can be confusing. Vitamin A from animal sources is referred to as preformed vitamin A. Preformed vitamin A is called by various names, depending on whether it is natural or synthetic. Some common names of vitamin A palmitate include retinyl palmitate, vitamin A, vitamin A (retinol), vitamin A acetate (retinyl acetate), retinol palmitate and retinyl palmitate.
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