What is vitamin B6 toxicity and what are the symptoms of taking too much? | Health
In January, Guardian Australia told the story of Simon Bogemann who developed a nervous condition known as peripheral neuropathy after consuming excessive vitamin B6 from multivitamin and magnesium supplements.
Since then, the potential of these over -the -counter supplements to harm has attracted growing attention.
A provisional decision of the therapy Goods Administration offers changes that could see products containing more than 50 mg of vitamin B6 becoming drugs only pharmacists.
A potential collective recourse against blackmores is also taken into account for excessive B6 levels in company vitamins.
While the regulator considers an additional action, here is what you need to know about vitamin B6.
What is toxicity B6?
The toxicity of vitamin B6 occurs when people consume excessive quantities of supplements containing B6 and have levels in their blood than what the body needs.
Dr. Terre-Lynne South, general practitioner, dietitian and spokesperson of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: “At the time, B6 was what we would call soluble vitamin in water, and wisdom was that you could not overdose on soluble vitamins in water … But we found, certainly with B6, this is not the case.
Quantities higher than normal B6 stored in the blood can have damaging effects, says South, “especially for some of our peripheral nerves – nerves at the ends”. It can cause dysfunction, including pain, pins and needles, loss of sensation and loss of motor function in extreme cases.
Where is vitamin B6?
Vitamin B6 is naturally found in many foods, including fish, non-tested fruits and starchy vegetables. It has not been reported that the high contribution of B6 from natural sources cause undesirable effects.
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B6 is also found in many supplements, including magnesium, multivitamins, zinc and B-Complex formulas, as well as fortified foods, including energy drinks, breakfast cereals and weight loss shakes. Toxicity B6 occurs when people consume excessive amounts of B6 from these non -natural sources.
People only need about 1 mg of B6, so it can be very easy to consume too much, says South. “Part of the problem is that B6 is known under different names [including] Pyridoxin, pyridoxal, and it can therefore be difficult for people to know how many B6s they get from all sources. »»
When should people worry about symptoms?
People should be aware if they take vitamin or mineral supplements, or use products with B6 such as energy drinks. The symptoms of toxicity B6 which lead to peripheral neuropathy are not very specific, which means that they could have many causes, known as South. If people have pins and needles in their hands and feet, or a burning sensation, numbness or difficulty or walking difficulties, “I would not necessarily jump to say that it is toxicity B6.”
How can you avoid it? What action should people take?
Be aware of the many sources that B6 is in, as well as its many names, including pyridoxin, pyridoxal or pyridoxamine, dit South. “Contact how much you could have a day,” says South. If he is more than 50 mg, South recommends talking to a general practitioner or a pharmacist for your consumption.
Even if people have no symptoms, they shouldn’t take more than 50 mg per day, she said. There is still a certain conjecture on the question of whether amounts still less than 50 mg can cause toxicity. “He is very individual when, a person who has excessive B6 sources can arouse symptoms of toxicity,” says South.
If people experience symptoms, a blood test could help determine whether it is toxicity B6 or something else, she said.
