ABC News Daily The overdose risk that forced a vitamin B6 crackdown
Nov 30, 2025
Tom Hartley, an investigative reporter for ABC's 7.30 program, uncovers alarming insights from his extensive research on vitamin B6 toxicity. He shares the story of Mary Buchanan, who suffered from debilitating nerve damage due to excessive B6 intake. Hartley discusses how B6 accumulates in the body and highlights the significant rise in reported cases of related symptoms like numbness and paralysis. He also reveals the regulatory actions taken by the TGA, the industry's pushback, and offers practical advice for supplement users to stay safe.
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Retired Doctor Struck By B6 Poisoning
- Mary Buchanan developed severe leg weakness and peripheral neuropathy after taking magnesium supplements that contained vitamin B6.
- Tests showed she had seven times the normal B6 level and doctors concluded B6 toxicity damaged her nerve endings.
B6 Hides In Many Everyday Products
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine/pyridoxamine/pyridoxal) is widely added to supplements and some foods despite most people getting enough from diet.
- It appears in multivitamins, magnesium formulas, cereals and protein shakes, increasing accidental exposure.
B6 Accumulates Over Weeks
- Manufactured vitamin B6 accumulates in the body and traces can persist for up to 30 days.
- That cumulative effect means repeated intake of modest doses can cause nerve damage over time.