In January Guardian Australia advised the story of Simon Bogemann who developed a nerve situation often called peripheral neuropathy after consuming extreme vitamin B6 from multivitamin and magnesium dietary supplements.
Since then, the potential of those over-the-counter dietary supplements to trigger hurt has attracted rising consideration.
An interim resolution from the Therapeutic Items Administration proposes adjustments that would see merchandise containing greater than 50mg of vitamin B6 change into pharmacist-only medicines.
A potential class motion towards Blackmores can be being thought-about for extreme B6 ranges within the firm’s vitamin dietary supplements.
Because the regulator considers additional motion, right here’s what you should find out about vitamin B6.
What’s B6 toxicity?
Vitamin B6 toxicity happens when individuals devour extreme quantities of B6-containing dietary supplements and have ranges of their blood increased than what the physique wants.
Dr Terri-Lynne South, a GP, dietician and spokesperson for the Royal Faculty of Basic Practitioners, says: “Again within the day, B6 was what we might name a water-soluble vitamin, and the knowledge was you may’t overdose on water-soluble nutritional vitamins … However we discovered, definitely with B6, that’s not the case, that it’s saved within the physique.”
Increased than regular quantities of B6 saved within the blood can have damaging results, South says, “notably to a few of our peripheral nerves – nerves within the extremities”. It will probably trigger dysfunction, together with ache, pins and needles, lack of sensation and lack of motor perform in excessive instances.
The place is vitamin B6 discovered?
Vitamin B6 is discovered naturally in lots of meals together with fish, non-citrus fruits and starchy greens. Excessive consumption of B6 from pure sources haven’t been reported to trigger antagonistic results.
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B6 can be discovered in lots of dietary supplements, together with magnesium, multivitamins, zinc, and B-complex formulation, in addition to fortified meals, together with power drinks, breakfast cereals and weight reduction shakes. B6 toxicity happens when individuals devour extreme quantities of B6 from these non-natural sources.
Folks solely want about 1mg of B6, so it may be very straightforward to devour an excessive amount of, South says. “A part of the issue is that B6 is thought by totally different names [including] pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and so it may be tough for individuals to truly know the way a lot B6 they’re getting from all sources.”
When ought to individuals be apprehensive about signs?
Folks must be conscious if they’re taking vitamin or mineral dietary supplements, or utilizing merchandise with B6 resembling power drinks. The signs of B6 toxicity which result in peripheral neuropathy aren’t very particular, which means they might have many causes, South says. If individuals have pins and needles within the arms and toes, or a burning sensation, numbness or issue with steadiness or strolling, “I wouldn’t essentially leap to say that it’s B6 toxicity.”
How are you going to keep away from it? What motion ought to individuals take?
Pay attention to the various sources B6 is present in, in addition to its quite a few names together with pyridoxine, pyridoxal or pyridoxamine, South says. “Work out how a lot you may be having a day,” South says. If it’s better than 50mg, South recommends speaking to a GP or pharmacist about your consumption.
Even when individuals don’t have signs, they shouldn’t be taking greater than 50mg a day, she says. There may be nonetheless some conjecture about whether or not quantities even decrease than 50mg may cause toxicity. “It is extremely particular person at what time limit somebody who’s having extreme sources of B6 could get signs of toxicity,” South says.
If individuals do expertise signs, a blood check might assist work out whether or not it’s B6 toxicity or one thing else, she says.