A young father’s life was turned upside down after taking vitamin supplements containing toxic levels of vitamin B6.
Dominic Noonan-O’Keeffe was preparing to become a dad when he started taking multiple over-the-counter Blackmores supplements to boost his health.
However, one magnesium product he was taking contained a staggering 29 times the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6, making it toxic to his body.
The Devastating Consequences of Vitamin B6 Toxicity
While vitamin B6 is essential for the brain, nervous system, and metabolism, excessive consumption can cause nerve damage, migraines, heart spasms, and numbness across the body.
Noonan-O’Keeffe began experiencing “significant fatigue, excruciating headaches, and hypersensitivity to his environment” three months after taking the supplements.
His symptoms escalated, and he suffered from muscle spasms, neuralgia, heart palpitations, visual disturbances, and loss of sensation across his body.
The Class Action Against Blackmores
Noonan-O’Keeffe is now the lead plaintiff in a proposed class action against Blackmores, claiming the company failed to adequately warn consumers about the risks of vitamin B6 toxicity.
Nick Mann, founder and principal of Polaris Lawyers, says he is aware of hundreds of Australians reporting lasting injuries from B6 consumed through over-the-counter supplements.
Regulatory Changes Needed to Protect Consumers
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has acknowledged the risks of vitamin B6 toxicity and has strengthened labelling requirements on products with daily doses that include over 10mg of vitamin B6.
However, Noonan-O’Keeffe and his lawyers argue that further changes are needed to ensure supplement manufacturers prioritize consumer safety.
A Call to Action for Those Affected
If you believe you have suffered injuries as a result of vitamin B6 toxicity, Polaris Lawyers is urging you to come forward and join the class action.
As Mann says, “It’s alarming to walk down the vitamin aisle of any chemist in Australia and see vitamin supplements containing levels of B6 which are far and above the recommended daily intake.”