Karmactive Staff
Vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient our bodies need daily, but growing evidence shows that taking too much can lead to serious health problems. With over 1,500 products in Australia containing vitamin B6 – from multivitamins to energy drinks – many people are unknowingly consuming potentially harmful amounts.
What is vitamin B6 toxicity?
Vitamin B6 toxicity occurs when excessive amounts of synthetic B6 (also known as pyridoxine hydrochloride, pyridoxal, or pyridoxamine) build up in the bloodstream. Unlike natural B6 found in foods, the manufactured form can accumulate in neural tissues, causing damage.
“There’s no good reason why energy drinks need to have six times the recommended daily intake of B6 in them,” food policy researcher Alexandra Jones told ABC.
Healthy adults only need about 1.3-1.7mg of vitamin B6 daily, but a single energy drink can contain up to 10mg, while some supplements contain 50mg or more.
Warning signs to watch for
The main symptom of B6 toxicity is peripheral neuropathy – damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Warning signs include:
- Tingling, burning, or numbness in hands and feet
- Pain and hypersensitivity
- Problems with balance or walking
- Muscle spasms
- Visual disturbances
- Extreme fatigue
For Matthew, who began taking Berocca daily, the symptoms started with mild tingling in his hands that spread to his arms and legs with burning sensations. “I was at work and my whole body would be burning inside – pins and needles – but with this burning sensation in my limbs,” he told ABC.
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Hidden sources pile up
The danger often comes from consuming multiple products containing B6 without realizing it. Dr. Terri-Lynne South, a GP and dietitian, warns: “Part of the problem is that B6 is known by different names… it can be difficult for people to actually know how much B6 they’re getting from all sources.”
Common hidden sources include:
- Energy drinks (Red Bull: 5mg, Mother: 4.3mg, BSC Energy: 10mg)
- Magnesium supplements
- Multivitamins
- Zinc supplements
- B-complex formulas
- Fortified breakfast cereals
- Weight loss shakes
Dominic Noonan-O’Keeffe, who is leading a proposed class action against supplement maker Blackmores, discovered that the magnesium supplements he was taking contained approximately 29 times the recommended daily intake of B6.
When to seek help
Health authorities are taking notice. Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has received over 170 adverse-event reports of B6 toxicity and is proposing restrictions on supplements containing more than 50mg of B6.
If you experience any symptoms of peripheral neuropathy while taking supplements or consuming energy drinks, stop immediately and consult a healthcare provider. Blood tests can help determine if B6 toxicity is the cause.
For most people, symptoms improve after stopping B6 supplementation, though recovery can take time. As Matthew discovered when his blood test revealed nearly three times the toxic level of B6, “I haven’t had any peripheral neuropathy for a month” after stopping Berocca.
The good news? It’s almost impossible to develop B6 toxicity from food alone. The danger comes from synthetic forms in supplements and fortified products.
Be vigilant about checking labels, especially if taking multiple supplements, and remember that what seems harmless can sometimes cause unexpected harm.
