Blackmores & the Vitamin B6 Lawsuit: Why “DIY Supplementing” Can Backfire
Late last week a lead plaintiff filed to launch a class action against Blackmores after lab tests allegedly showed some of its magnesium blends delivered up to 29 times the safe daily amount of vitamin B6. The man reports ongoing nerve pain, numbness, fatigue and heart palpitations despite stopping the product months ago. Lawyers believe hundreds of Australians may share similar injuries. News.com.au
While regulators consider shifting any supplement with >50 mg of B6 behind the pharmacy counter, the episode exposes a bigger problem I see every day in the clinic:
People are layering multiple “healthy” products—magnesium powders, energy drinks, B‑complex tablets—without realising they’re doubling or tripling key ingredients.
What makes vitamin B6 risky?
- Fat‑soluble in nerves – Excess pyridoxine can build up in the peripheral nervous system, damaging the myelin sheath.
- Symptoms creep in slowly – Tingling in hands/feet, poor balance, muscle weakness and cognitive fog often appear months after overdosing.
Recovery is slow – Even after levels normalise, nerve repair can take 6–18 months; in some cases, damage is permanent.
My clinical take
- Self‑prescribing is gambling with your biochemistry
I review dozens of “supp stacks” each month, most of which look sensible on paper until we add up overlapping ingredients. With B6 alone, hitting 80–100 mg daily is easy. As well as over-the-counter supplements consultation. That’s why we offer personalised consultations to create a tailored plan that supports each client’s unique needs and ensures safe, effective outcomes. - Data before doses
Functional bloods, urinary organic acids, Cortisol testing and your Ayurvedic body‑type tell us whether you need extra B6 or should actually be draining it through liver‑detox pathways. Or if you can methylate the B vitamins. - Food first, targeted therapy second
In an Ayurvedic framework, we begin with the foundation, optimising the diet and restoring proper digestion. Only then do we introduce carefully selected herbal or nutraceutical support, often at much lower doses than standard retail formulas. The focus isn’t just on correcting vitamin and mineral imbalances, but on addressing the root cause of poor digestion and absorption, which prevents the body from receiving what it needs from food.
If you’re using B‑complexes or high‑dose magnesium blends
Step 1
What to do Why
| 1 | Pull every bottle & sachet from the cupboard | Check total B6 per day (including “activated” forms like P‑5‑P). |
| 2 | Book a 30-minute review consult | We’ll map your intake against bloods and symptoms. |
| 3 | Consider testing | Serum B6 + homocysteine + ALT/AST to rule out sub‑clinical overload. |
| 4 | Report any tingling/numbness immediately | Early intervention speeds nerve recovery. |
Bottom line
Vitamins are powerful medicines. The Blackmores case is a loud reminder that “natural” doesn’t mean “risk‑free”. If you want supplements to help rather than hurt, partner with a practitioner who can interpret your labs, tailor doses and track progress. Don’t let marketing copy or TikTok trends decide your protocol.
Need clarity on your current regimen?
Bring your supplement list to your next consult or reply to this email, and we’ll schedule a quick safety review.
A quick heads‑up on vitamin B12:
From 1 July 2025 the Federal Government has tightened Medicare rebates for B12 testing. Unless a patient meets narrowly defined clinical criteria, laboratories will now invoice out‑of‑pocket fees, and many GPs are already ordering fewer tests as a result. These funding cuts and the new 11‑month retest limit mean we’re gathering less preventive data on a nutrient that underpins energy, cognition and nervous‑system health. It’s hard to see how waiting for a deficiency to cause damage before we act serves anyone’s well-being
Stay well and informed,
Jo Formosa
Clinical Director, Health Dynamics
Responses