A Sydney woman is sounding the alarm about the potential dangers of dietary supplements, sharing her harrowing experience with what she believes to be severe neuropathy caused by popular brands. Jessica Amir, who lives with multiple sclerosis (MS), claims that a combination of Blackmores Mega B Complex, Swisse’s Zinc+, and Hair, Skin & Nails significantly worsened her existing health conditions.
“These three supplements were sold and recommended by Australian pharmacies to ‘support’ my ‘health’,” Amir stated. Her doctor, upon reviewing her blood test results, advised her to cease taking the vitamins immediately, suspecting they were exacerbating her symptoms.
Amir, who began experiencing health issues eight years ago, noticed a sharp decline in her well-being around the time she started taking these supplements concurrently. “I’ve been severely unwell since February 2025,” she explained. “I went from training for an 80-kilometer run to struggling to walk two meters. I lost the ability to write my own name. I couldn’t work for five months.”
Her symptoms were extensive and debilitating. “My speech became slurred. My arms and legs were weak, numb, tingling, and burning. I had constant pressure in my head. My vision became blurry. I lost my balance. I was walking into things.”
The recommended daily intake of Vitamin B6 for an adult is a modest 1.1mg to 1.3mg. In stark contrast, Swisse’s Zinc+ contains 30mg of B6, while Blackmore’s Mega B Complex boasts an even higher 50mg.
Amir is now involved in a class-action investigation against Blackmores, with personal injury law firm Polaris Lawyers representing individuals who have allegedly suffered harm after using their supplements. The claimants assert that their injuries stemmed from taking B6 supplements, either alone or in combination with other products.
This situation echoes another concerning report from Melbourne, where a man claimed that a different Blackmores B6 supplement led to him experiencing pain and cognitive difficulties. Dominic Noonan-O’Keeffe, 33, began taking Blackmores Super Magnesium+ and Ashwagandha+ in May 2024. Soon after, he developed a range of symptoms consistent with Vitamin B6 overexposure.
His initial symptoms included fatigue, nerve pain, migraines, and visual disturbances. Noonan-O’Keeffe, who is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, decided to stop taking the supplements after hearing about a colleague of his stepsister who had recently suffered B6 toxicity.
“I stopped all of my supplements straight away, got a blood test, and within a week, I had a diagnosis of B6 toxicity,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald. He later discovered that the Magnesium+ supplement he had been using contained approximately 29 times the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6.
The Frankston resident continues to battle lingering effects, including numbness in his fingers, nerve pain in his neck, and reduced cognitive function. “I’m hoping I’m on the tail end of a big flare-up, and this is the start of recovery, even though we know the recovery prospects are pretty unknown,” he expressed.
Understanding Vitamin B6 and Its Risks
Vitamin B6 is a crucial nutrient essential for various bodily functions, including metabolism, brain development, and maintaining hormonal balance. Fortunately, most individuals obtain sufficient amounts of this vitamin through their regular diet. Foods rich in Vitamin B6 include:
- Meats
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Spinach
- Kale
- Bananas
- Potatoes
Potential Side Effects and Toxicity
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) identifies peripheral neuropathy as a known side effect of Vitamin B6. Symptoms of this condition typically include tingling, burning, or numbness, most commonly affecting the hands and feet. Peripheral neuropathy usually arises from high doses or prolonged use of products containing B6.
However, B6 toxicity can occur even at recommended dosages, as individual metabolic rates for processing this vitamin vary significantly. The precise amount of B6 an individual needs is influenced by age and sex. Health Direct advises that for most people, B6 supplements are unnecessary, as dietary intake is generally adequate.
Current recommendations for daily B6 intake in Australia are:
- Adult women (under 50): 1.1 to 1.3 mg per day
- Adult women (over 50): 1.3 to 1.5 mg per day
- Adult men (under 50): 1.1 to 1.3 mg per day
- Adult men (over 50): 1.4 to 1.7 mg per day
Regulatory Considerations
In response to concerns surrounding high-dose B6 supplements, the TGA announced in June 2025 that it would consider mandating that supplements containing more than 50mg of Vitamin B6 be stored behind pharmacy counters. This potential regulatory change is not expected to take effect until February 2027.
Representatives for Blackmores and Swisse have been contacted for comment.
