Vitamin B6 Toxicity: What You Should Know When Taking Supplements

BY JESSICA STRACHAN

Do you know the ingredients in your supplements, why you’re taking them and the safe dosages?

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Vitamin B6 (also listed as pyridoxine in supplements) is in the news at the moment in Australia due to increasing numbers of people experiencing nerve-related side effects from excessive consumption of B6.

And while B6 is water-soluble which usually tells you it is safe, since the body will excrete what it doesnt need. Excess amounts B6 can still accumulate in the body and over time lead to toxicity.

SYMPTOMS OF B6 TOXICITY CAN INCLUDE:

• Fatigue

• Paresthesia (A tingling, numb or burning sensation in hands or feet)

• Muscle weakness

• Walking difficulty walking, or balance & coordination symptoms

• Unexplained neurological changes.

The above symptoms can often be mistaken for Parkinson’s or MS and can often stump our general practitioners when sending patients off for testing.

SAFE LEVELS

Adult dietary intake recommendation is 1.3–2 mg/day (which is easily met through diet).

Australian supplements can legally contain higher amounts, but toxicity has been reported at doses as low as 10–50 mg/day when taken ongoing.

Some people unknowingly exceed the recommended dietary intake levels because B6 is included in magnesium blends, multivitamins or stress and energy supplements.

WHAT TO DO:

1. Check your supplement labels, look for vitamin B6, pyridoxine, pyridoxal, or pyridoxamine.

2. Review your total daily dose across all products.

3. Are you taking more than 10–25 mg daily? Then it’s worth discussing with your GP or health care practitioner.

4. If you notice neurological symptoms, seek medical advice ASAP.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

We’re here to support you. Bring your supplement bottles along to your next appointment so we can go through them together to make sure everything is safe and tailored to what you need.

Give us a call or book your appointment today to optimise your health and ensure that your supplements are supporting your wellbeing and not throwing it out of whack.