'Bombed' By B6

 

Vitamins are dietary requirements, because our bodies can't make or provide sufficient of them. Many people, however, don't realise that excessive intake of certain vitamins, will have detrimental effects on the body. There's a graphic illustration of this in the experiences of a relatively young Australian. He nightly experienced, severe 'pins and needles' sensations in his feet and fingers. Tests eventually revealed that he had been ingesting more than 30 times the recommended daily dose of vitamin B6. Part of this, was a result of medical prescriptions. He was also taking, however,  multi-vitamin supplements. That overdose, caused nerve damage, producing a condition called peripheral neuropathy (https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/05/simon-never-linked-the-pain-in-his-hands-and-feet-to-multivitamins-but-a-pathology-test-did). The basic problem is, that the supplement industry in most countries is currently entirely unregulated. Although, individual tablets, bought over the counter, may contain appropriate daily amounts of vitamins and minerals, folk often assume that taking two tablets will have twice the benefit of one! It may also (as in this case), be difficult for physicians to know (because they are unaware of multi-vitamin intake of their patient) whether their recommended treatment will result in overdosing. The general public needs to be better informed about the dangers of vitamin overdoses. The products of the supplement industry should prominently carry warnings to this effect. GPs also need  to routinely ask their patients about their use of supplements.