#Neuropathy

A rise in self-directed supplementation has sparked fresh concerns about vitamin B6 toxicity. New research and regulatory scrutiny suggest that excess intake may cause nerve damage at lower doses and shorter exposures than previously understood. Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration signals it may have underestimated adverse effects, prompting tighter scrutiny of high-dose B6 products. This reflects a growing global move toward cautious use of over-the-counter vitamins.

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, supports metabolism, brain function, immune health, and red blood cell formation. It is common in multivitamins and is often taken during pregnancy or to ease premenstrual symptoms. For most adults, daily needs are roughly 1.3 to 1.7 mg. In Thailand, typical diets provide ample B6 from meat, grains, fruits, and vegetables, reducing the perceived need for extra supplementation.

A surge in health-conscious supplement use has brought a renewed warning about vitamin B6 toxicity, as fresh research and regulatory concern reveal that excessive intake may be harming more people than previously recognized. Australia’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), recently admitted it may have underestimated the scope of vitamin B6 side effects—especially nerve damage linked to prolonged high-dose use—prompting the body to reconsider how this over-the-counter supplement is sold (The Conversation).

A century-old anatomical puzzle may finally provide relief for millions battling diabetic nerve pain, according to groundbreaking new research that has reignited scientific interest in the Nageotte nodule—a little-known cellular structure first described over a hundred years ago. The latest study, led by scientists at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), reveals that these tiny cell clusters are not only abundant in people with diabetes, but likely play a crucial role in the development of debilitating peripheral neuropathy, a leading cause of chronic pain, diminished mobility, and even amputation worldwide.

A long-forgotten cellular clue may offer new hope for millions with diabetic nerve pain. Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have revived interest in the Nageotte nodule, a tiny structure first identified a century ago. Their work suggests these nodules are common in people with diabetes and may drive peripheral neuropathy, the chronic nerve pain that afflicts many and can lead to mobility loss or amputations.

Diabetic neuropathy is among the most feared diabetes complications, affecting roughly one in three Americans and, like Thailand, presenting a growing challenge for Thai families amid rising obesity and aging. While treatment often focuses on managing pain, current options do not directly halt nerve degeneration—creating a pathway for the new findings to influence future therapies.