Recently, the TV program Radar addressed the dangers of high levels of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) in supplements. This raised questions for many people. Can you consume too much vitamin B6? What are the risks? And what about other vitamins?
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for adults is 1.5 milligrams of vitamin B6 per day. This is what you need to stay healthy. You should be able to get enough through a regular diet including meat, eggs, and bread.
For vitamin B6, it’s not possible to get too much from normal food. Excess intake only becomes a risk if you use too many supplements or supplements with a high B6 content.
What is the risk of too many vitamins?
In the case of vitamin B6, the danger is that a consistently high intake of more than 25 mg per day can lead to a disorder of the nervous system. This can cause numbness, tingling, or severe nerve pain in the hands and feet. Excessive intake of other vitamins can also be harmful. Examples include vitamin A, D, E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, and iodine.