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Melbourne, Australia – Health authorities are raising concerns over potential vitamin B6 overdoses linked to consumption of fortified foods and energy drinks, with reports of neurological issues emerging in Australian consumers.Dr. Emma Stirling, a registered nutritionist, warned of teh growing prevalence of excessive B6 intake during a recent interview with the ABC’s 7.30 program.
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, plays a vital role in numerous bodily functions, including energy metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis. While essential, excessive intake can lead to sensory neuropathy – nerve damage causing symptoms like numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) sets the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin B6 at 100mg per day for adults, but some products are contributing significantly to daily intake.
Dr. Stirling highlighted that while multivitamin supplements are increasingly containing B6, the primary concern lies with the levels found in fortified foods, especially energy drinks and some breakfast cereals. She noted that current regulations do not adequately address the cumulative effect of B6 from multiple sources. “We’re starting to see it in multivitamin minerals from the chemist, but we need better regulations in these higher food products, especially energy drinks,” she stated.
The issue necessitates increased coordination between regulatory bodies such as Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).FSANZ regulates food standards, while the TGA oversees therapeutic goods, including some vitamin supplements. A unified approach is crucial to assess and manage the overall risk posed by widespread B6 fortification.
“People are inadvertently overdosing and now we’re starting to see the consequences.”
Symptoms of vitamin B6 toxicity can also include skin lesions, light sensitivity, and, in severe cases, difficulty walking. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has reported a recent increase in patient presentations with symptoms consistent with B6-induced neuropathy.While definitive links are still being investigated, the timing coincides with increased B6 fortification in the food supply.
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