Is B6 dangerous?

B6 (pyridoxine) is an essential nutrient, which means the body can’t function without it. But recently there have been increased reports of peripheral neuropathy occurring at lower than previously seen doses. Consequently the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia changed labelling requirements so products containing daily doses over 10mg must carry a warning.

WARNING – Stop taking this medication if you experience tingling, burning or numbness and see your healthcare practitioner as soon as possible. (Contains vitamin B6)

However, this is solely a labelling requirement, with the TGA still allowing doses of up to 100mg of B6 in a single supplement.

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Neuropathy is damage or dysfunction to nerves. Peripheral nerves feed areas away from the centre of the body, like the hands and feet.

Peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect of some chemotherapies and diseases like diabetes or chronic alcoholism. It’s usually experienced as numbness, tingling or pain. When it affects the fingers, people often complain of having difficulty doing up buttons or frequently dropping things they hold.

Unlike many of the others causes, B6-induced peripheral neuropathy is usually temporary, resolving within about six months of stopping supplementation.

Ironically, a lack of B6 can also cause peripheral neuropathy. So too deficiencies in other nutrients including B1, B12, copper and vitamin E.

Source

Why are there more reports of B6-induced peripheral neuropathy?

There’s no definitive answer as to why there are more reports of B6-induced peripheral neruopathy at lower doses. Some contributing factors may include the following.

Types of B6 used in supplements

The TGA guidelines don’t differentiate between the potential toxicity of the inactive form of supplemental B6 pyridoxine hydrochloride (which is cheaper and most commonly used) and the active pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P). Many practitioners consider the active form to be less likely to cause toxicity.

There are no concerns around dietary sources of B6.

We’re taking more supplements

Over the last 20 years the supplement industry has boomed.  In Australia it’s now worth $5.6 billion, with an annual market growth of about 10%.

A search of one popular online supplement retailer available in Australia listed over 2,600 different products containing B6, often from unexpected sources. For example, B6 often now appears in magnesium supplements, herbal formulas, protein powders and weight loss products – to name a few.

Many people are not aware of how much B6 they are taking across all their supplements, and have a higher than expected accumulated overdose.

Taking B6 alone

As the range of products and fortified foods containing B6 has grown exponentially., many now contain pyridoxine on its own, or with all eight B vitamins.

The B group (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12), work collectively in complex biochemical actions in the body, including the proper functioning of the nervous system. Taking too much of one B will eventually cause problems.

“Any imbalance (of B vitamins), either deficiency or over-consumption, may cause a wide array of reversible and irreversible symptoms that may sometimes lead to death.”
Dietary Vitamin B Complex: Orchestration in Human Nutrition throughout Life with Sex Differences

Increased self and over-the-counter prescribing

Supplements are available everywhere now, not just in the health food store or pharmacy but supermarkets, gyms and online.

Buying supplements and fortified products from a variety of suppliers, or without expert guidance, can increase the chance of taking an unbalanced and potentially toxic dose of pyridoxine.

Source

Time for a supplement review

There are many reasons why I always ask clients about their supplements, including brand, frequency and importantly why they take it. Often the overall dosage doesn’t meet their needs, whether too little or too much, or in an inappropriate form.

It’s also important to update your prescribing practitioner if you’ve changed your regime in any way, including additions, substitutions, frequency or ceasing to take a particular supplement. It’s equally vital to let us know of any changes to your prescribed drugs, to avoid interactions.

How many supplements do you take a day? Book a consultation and request a supplement review to get back on track. It can ultimately improve wellbeing, as well as save you money.

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