How Too Many Vitamins Might Be Harming Your Health

I am someone who has been very pro-vitamins my whole adult life, particularly for someone who may not have had a diet rich in all the essential nutrients I needed. I also thought that casually supplementing with vitamins surely couldn’t be doing me any harm. Right? Today, we’ll talk about a vitamin that is causing more and more people to have toxic high levels, which is causing all sorts of issues.

I have been seeing many doctors and specialists for the last few years to try to help with dizziness I was experiencing. I have done many blood tests, and I thought I had tested just about everything that might be causing me negative symptoms. It was only in my last doctor's visit that the doctor suggested testing my B6. B6, I thought? I hadn’t ever supplemented with B6 specifically, so I thought it was a good idea, as I may be low and may need to supplement with it. I was also open to allowing any blood tests to be done if I thought it may help me understand what was going on with my body.

To my surprise, a few weeks later, I got a call from the doctor saying that something looked a little off. Or a lot off, actually. She said my B6 levels were toxically high. High? I thought. I had never even supplemented with B6, and I didn’t even really know what B6 was in. She asked if I had been taking supplements, and I said I had been taking a few, but I didn’t think I had been taking much B6. After I got off the phone, I did a little research into the supplements I had been taking and what supplements might contain B6. Surprisingly, many vitamins, such as magnesium, multivitamins, multi-B vitamins, and more, will often contain B6. Not only this, I found out that many B vitamins, including B6, are often added to foods to enhance their nutritional value. This all sounds great in theory, but without realising it, I, and obviously others, have been poisoning ourselves for years, and I never would have even thought to get it tested.

B6, or pyridoxine, is important for normal brain development and for keeping the nervous system and immune system healthy. However, too much B6 can cause peripheral neuropathy, dizziness, tingling, burning, numbness, lack of muscle control or coordination. In some cases, you may even have trouble moving or walking.

So, how did I end up with dangerously high B6 levels without even knowing it? Well, it turns out that while B6 is an essential vitamin that plays a vital role in various bodily functions, it’s surprisingly easy to overdose on it. The average person may be unknowingly consuming B6 from multiple sources—supplements, fortified foods, and even common multivitamins—without realising that too much can result in serious health consequences.

The real problem arises when we rely heavily on supplements to fill gaps in our diet, assuming they’re harmless. But, in reality, these daily doses of vitamins can quickly build up in your system over time. And the worst part is, some of the symptoms of B6 toxicity are subtle and easy to overlook. Dizziness, like I experienced, or muscle weakness can easily be misattributed to other causes, such as stress, lack of sleep, or even age-related issues.

The recommended daily intake of B6 for adults is around 1.3 to 2.0 mg, depending on age and gender. However, research shows that regular consumption of doses higher than 100 mg, which many people unknowingly reach due to supplement overuse, can lead to toxic effects. In my case, I was unintentionally surpassing the safe limit by combining multiple vitamin products without realising the cumulative effect they were having.

This brings us to an important point: Are you taking a closer look at what you’re putting into your body? Many people, including myself, tend to trust that the supplements we take are safe, and the marketing around them often suggests they are necessary for our wellbeing. But the reality is, too much of even a good thing can be harmful.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

1.     Consult Your Doctor
If you're feeling off and suspect your vitamins or supplements might be contributing to the issue, make sure you speak with your healthcare provider. They can guide you through the process of getting the right tests and help you interpret the results.

2.     Read Labels Carefully
When purchasing supplements, be diligent about reading labels. Pay close attention to the amounts of each vitamin and mineral, especially if you’re taking multiple products that might contain the same nutrients. Take note of any fortified foods you consume too.

3.     Monitor Your Symptoms
If you're noticing unexplained symptoms such as dizziness, tingling, or muscle weakness, take it seriously and don’t just assume it’s due to something else. Consider whether your supplement regimen might be contributing to your symptoms and consult a professional for advice.

4.     Consider a Holistic Approach
Instead of relying on pills and supplements to fill your nutritional gaps, try to focus on getting most of your vitamins and minerals from a balanced, whole food diet. Natural sources of B6 include bananas, potatoes, chickpeas, and salmon, which can help you maintain healthy levels without overdoing it.

5.     Don’t Be Afraid to Scale Back
If you’re taking several different supplements, it might be worth reconsidering if they are all truly necessary. Less can often be more when it comes to vitamins, and the over-supplementation trend can often do more harm than good.

Conclusion: Are Your Vitamins Helping or Harming You?

While vitamins are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not work for another, and in some cases, over-supplementing can lead to toxicity and negative side effects. For me, the discovery that I was unknowingly consuming too much B6 was a wake-up call. My experience highlights the importance of educating ourselves about the supplements we take and being more mindful of how much we're really consuming.

Remember, vitamins should complement a well-rounded diet, not replace it. If you're taking vitamins, make sure you’re doing so under the guidance of a healthcare professional and with an understanding of how they might interact with each other. As always, listen to your body, and don’t hesitate to reach out for professional advice if something feels off.

By taking a cautious and informed approach, you can ensure that your vitamins are truly helping you, rather than harming you.