Latest news with #vitaminB6
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Aussie supplement company Blackmores facing potential class action over allegedly ‘toxic' levels of B6 in products
Australian supplement giant Blackmores is facing potential class-action lawsuit, over claims that excessive levels of vitamin B6 in some of the company's over-the-counter products have led to serious health complications. Dominic Noonan-O'Keeffe began taking Blackmores supplements in May 2023 to support his health, ahead of the birth of his first child. Unaware the magnesium product contained potentially 'toxic' levels of vitamin B6, he claims he soon developed severe symptoms – including fatigue, headaches, muscle spasms, heart palpitations, and loss of sensation, according to Polaris lawyers. Doctors later diagnosed him with neuropathy linked to excessive B6 intake. Despite stopping in early 2024, Mr Noonan-O'Keeffe claims he continues to suffer daily from nerve pain and other symptoms. Polaris Lawyers – who are representing Mr Noonan-O'Keeffe, the lead plaintiff in the potential class-action – allege they later discovered the magnesium product contained about 29 times the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6. Polaris Lawyers is now investigating a proposed class action against Blackmores for the excessive B6 levels in their vitamin supplements. 'It's alarming to walk down the vitamin aisle of any chemist in Australia and see vitamin supplements containing levels of B6 which are far and above the recommended daily intake,' Polaris Lawyers Founder and Principal Nick Mann said. 'What happened to Dominic is tragic, but he is not alone – we are aware of reports that excessive levels of B6 in over-the-counter supplements may have caused lasting injuries to hundreds of Australians. 'Polaris Lawyers is currently investigating a class action on behalf of anyone who has suffered injuries as a result of excessive levels of B6 as a result of taking Blackmores vitamin supplements.' In an interim decision report released in June, the TGA acknowledged no clear consensus on a safe vitamin B6 level that fully prevents peripheral neuropathy. The decision proposed rescheduling products containing over 50mg per day as 'Pharmacist Only Medicines.' A Blackmores spokesperson said they were aware of the TGA's proposed changes. 'At Blackmores, we are committed to the highest standards of product quality and consumer safety. All our products, including those containing Vitamin B6, are developed in strict accordance with the regulatory requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),' the spokesperson said. 'This includes compliance with maximum permitted daily doses and the inclusion of mandated warning statements. 'We acknowledge the interim decision issued by the TGA and we will ensure full compliance with its final determination.'
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Too much vitamin B6 can be toxic. 3 symptoms to watch out for
Side effects from taking too much vitamin B6 – including nerve damage – may be more widespread than we think, Australia's medicines regulator says. In an ABC report earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) says it may have underestimated the extent of the side effects from vitamin B6 supplements. However, there are proposals to limit sales of high-dose versions due to safety concerns. A pathologist who runs a clinic that tests vitamin B6 in blood samples from across Australia also appeared on the program. He told the ABC that data from May suggests 4.5% of samples tested had returned results 'very likely' indicating nerve damage. So what are vitamin B6 supplements? How can they be toxic? And which symptoms do you need to watch out for? Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, plays an important role in keeping the body healthy. It is involved in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in food. It is also important for the production of neurotransmitters – chemical messengers in the brain that maintain its function and regulate your mood. Vitamin B6 also supports the immune system by helping to make antibodies, which fight off infections. And it is needed to produce haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. Some women take a vitamin B6 supplement when pregnant. It is thought this helps reduce the nausea associated with the early stages of pregnancy. Some women also take it to help with premenstrual syndrome. However, most people don't need, and won't benefit from, a vitamin B6 supplement. That's because you get enough vitamin B6 from your diet through meat, breakfast cereal, fruit and vegetables. You don't need much. A dose of 1.3–1.7 milligrams a day is enough for most adults. Currently, vitamin B6 supplements with a daily dose of 5–200mg can be sold over the counter at health food stores, supermarkets and pharmacies. Because of safety concerns, the TGA is proposing limiting their sale to pharmacies, and only after consultation with a pharmacist. Daily doses higher than 200mg already need a doctor's prescription. So under the proposal that would stay the same. If you take too much vitamin B6, in most cases the excess will be excreted in your urine and most people won't experience side effects. But there is a growing concern about long-time, high-dose use. A side effect the medical community is worried about is peripheral neuropathy – where there is damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. This results in pain, numbness or weakness, usually in your hands and feet. We don't yet know exactly how this happens. In most reported cases, these symptoms disappear once you stop taking the supplement. But for some people it may take three months to two years before they feel completely better. There is growing, but sometimes contradictory, evidence that high doses (more than 50mg a day) for extended periods can result in serious side effects. A study from the 1990s followed 70 patients for five years who took a dose of 100 to 150mg a day. There were no reported cases of neuropathy. But more recent studies show high rates of side effects. A 2023 case report provides details of a man who was taking multiple supplements. This resulted in a daily combined 95mg dose of vitamin B6, and he experienced neuropathy. Another report describes seven cases of neuropathy linked to drinking energy drinks containing vitamin B6. Reports to the TGA's database of adverse events notifications (a record of reported side effects) shows 174 cases of neuropathy linked with vitamin B6 use since 2023. The current advice is that someone who takes a dose of 50mg a day or more, for more than six months, should be monitored by a health-care professional. So if you regularly take vitamin B6 supplements you should discuss continued use with your doctor or pharmacist. There are three side effects to watch out for, the first two related to neuropathy: numbness or pain in the feet and hands difficulty with balance and coordination as a result of muscle weakness heartburn and nausea. If you have worrying side effects after taking vitamin B6 supplements, contact your state's poison information centre on 13 11 26 for advice. This article is republished from The Conversation. It was written by: Nial Wheate, Macquarie University and Slade Matthews, University of Sydney Read more: Does eating cheese before bed really give you nightmares? Here's what the science says How should I talk to my kids about abuse and body safety? Lung cancer screening hopes to save lives. But we also need to watch for possible harms Nial Wheate in the past has received funding from the ACT Cancer Council, Tenovus Scotland, Medical Research Scotland, Scottish Crucible, and the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance. He is a fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Nial is the chief scientific officer of Vaihea Skincare LLC, a director of SetDose Pty Ltd (a medical device company) and was previously a Standards Australia panel member for sunscreen agents. He is a member of the Haleon Australia Pty Ltd Pain Advisory Board. Nial regularly consults to industry on issues to do with medicine risk assessments, manufacturing, design and testing. Slade Matthews provides scientific evaluations to the Therapeutic Goods Administration as a member of the Therapeutic Goods Assessment and Advisory Panel. Slade serves on the NSW Poisons Advisory Committee for NSW Health as the minister-nominated pharmacologist appointed by the Governor of NSW.
Health Line
21-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Bananas 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
Bananas are a source of fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and various antioxidants and phytonutrients. Possible benefits include protecting against heart disease and supporting digestive health. Bananas come from a family of plants called Musa that are native to Southeast Asia. They grow in many of the warmer areas of the world. Many types and sizes exist. Their color usually ranges from green to yellow, but some varieties are red. Read on to learn more about banana nutrition facts and possible health benefits. Banana nutrition facts The nutrition facts for 1 medium-sized banana, or a banana weighing 118 grams (g), include: 105 calories 88.4 g water 1.29 g protein 26.9 g carbohydrates 14.4 g sugars 3.07 g fiber 0.39 g fat Carbs Bananas are a rich source of carbs, which occur mainly as starch in unripe bananas and sugars in ripe bananas. The carb composition of bananas changes drastically during ripening. The main component of unripe bananas is starch. Green bananas contain around 70% starch measured in dry weight. This decreases with ripening. The most common types of sugar in ripe bananas are sucrose, fructose, and glucose. Bananas have a relatively low glycemic index (GI) of around 42 to 51, depending on their ripeness. The GI is a measure of how quickly carbs in food enter your bloodstream and raise blood sugar. Fibers A high proportion of the starch in unripe bananas is resistant starch, which passes through your gut undigested. In your large intestine, this starch is fermented by bacteria to form butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that appears to have beneficial effects on gut health. Bananas are also a good source of other types of fiber, such as pectin. Some of the pectin in bananas is water-soluble. When bananas ripen, the proportion of water-soluble pectin increases, which is one of the main reasons why bananas turn soft as they age. Both pectin and resistant starch moderate the rise in blood sugar after a meal. Vitamins and minerals in bananas Bananas are a good source of several vitamins and minerals. Potassium: Bananas are a good source of potassium. A diet high in potassium can lower blood pressure in people with elevated levels and benefits heart health. Vitamin B6: Bananas are high in vitamin B6. One medium-sized banana contains around 0.433 milligrams (mg) of vitamin B6. Vitamin C: Like most fruit, bananas are a good source of vitamin C. One medium-sized banana contains around 10.3 mg of vitamin C. Health benefits of bananas Bananas offer a number of possible health benefits. Heart health Bananas are high in potassium, a mineral that promotes heart health and normal blood pressure. One medium-sized banana contains around 422 mg of potassium. »Learn more: Heart-Healthy Foods Digestive health Unripe, green bananas contain considerable amounts of resistant starch and pectin, which are types of dietary fiber. Resistant starch and pectins act as prebiotic nutrients, supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. In your gut, these fibers are fermented by beneficial bacteria that form butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that promotes gut health. Possible risks of bananas There are mixed opinions on whether bananas are good for people with type 2 diabetes. It's true that bananas are high in starch and sugar. One might expect them to cause a large rise in blood sugar. But due to their low GI, moderate consumption of bananas should not raise blood sugar levels nearly as much as other high-carb foods. That said, people with diabetes should avoid eating a lot of well-ripened bananas. It's always best to monitor blood sugar levels carefully after consuming high amounts of sugar and carbs. Some people claim that bananas can cause constipation. However, bananas are high in soluble fiber, so they may actually help with constipation. A banana allergy is also possible. Seek immediate medical help if you experience symptoms such as: hives or an itchy rash an itchy mouse or throat angioedema, or swelling of the skin »Learn more: Heart-Healthy Foods The bottom line Bananas are a good source of carbs and fibers. They contain decent amounts of several vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Potassium, vitamin C, catechin, and resistant starch are among their healthy nutrients. Bananas may have numerous benefits, such as improved heart and digestive health.
