Abstract
Objective: To identify and quantify Over The Counter (OTC) supplements containing excess vitamin B6 and their role in nerve dysfunction and neuropathy.
Background: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) toxicity is a known cause of neuropathy. As a water-soluble vitamin, the majority of pyridoxine toxicity is due to excessively high doses found in OTC nutritional supplements. Vitamin B6 is a co-factor involved in over one hundred enzymatic reactions. Daily consumption of pyridoxine above the NIH recommended 1.7 mg to 2.0 mg has been shown to cause neurological symptoms, including peripheral neuropathy.
Design/Methods: We searched the internet to find multivitamins for general women, women 50 plus, and adults 50 plus. We created a chart with 100 multivitamins and stated the milligrams (mg) and the percent daily value (%DV) of vitamin B6 in each supplement.
Results: In the general women’s category, 59% of supplements contained vitamin B6 doses above the NIH recommendations. In the women’s 50+ category, 75% of supplements contained vitamin B6 doses above the NIH recommendations. In the adult 50+ category, 96% of supplements contained vitamin B6 doses above the NIH recommendations. Out of the total 100 multivitamins, 72% of supplements contained vitamin B6 doses above the NIH recommendations of 1.7 to 2mg.
Conclusions: The majority of multivitamins available to the general public contain vitamin B6 doses above the recommended amounts. Prolonged daily consumption of multivitamins can contribute to vitamin B6 toxicity. Awareness of excess vitamin B6 consumption should be raised both for physicians and the general public.
Disclosure: Dr. Achari has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for McKinney-Taylor. Mariam Haider has nothing to disclose. Miss Mohammed has nothing to disclose.
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