#VitaminB6

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).