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Labdoor analyzed 8 of the best-selling vitamin B6 supplements in the United States for vitamin B6 content and heavy metal (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) contamination.
Overall, products performed well in label accuracy - measured vitamin B6 content deviated from label claims by an average of 5%. Products, on average, measured 158 mg of vitamin B6 per serving, ranging from 26.7 mg to 521 mg. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin B6 to prevent deficiency-related symptoms is 1.3 mg for adults up to 50 years of age, and then 1.7 mg for males and 1.5 mg for females 51 years of age or older. Taking more than the RDA of vitamin B6 has shown some benefits for pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and in older adults, mental health. All tested products passed heavy metal screenings. In one serving, 6 of 8 products exceeded the established Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for vitamin B6 of 100 mg per day1.
Analytical Chemistry Methods: CE (vitamin B6); ICP-MS (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury).
Lab-tested vitamin B6 content ranged from -15% to +7% as compared to product label claims.
Measured vitamin B6 in this batch analysis deviated from label claims by an average of 5.2%. All but 1 product measured more vitamin B6 than claimed. These products, on average, measured an overage of 3.7%. Bulk Supplements Pure Vitamin B6 recorded 15.4% less vitamin B6 than claimed.
All 8 products passed heavy metal screens for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.
All products passed heavy metal screens. This means that each product's heavy metal recordings per serving fell below California Proposition 65's2 proposed and established MADLs (Maximum Allowable Dose Levels) and NSRLs (No Significant Risk Levels): no more than 10 mcg/day of inorganic arsenic, 4.1 mcg/day of cadmium, 0.5 mcg/day of lead, and 0.3 mcg/day of mercury (proposed).
Vitamin B6 products averaged a 100 (out of 100) in Nutritional Value scores.
Vitamin B6 products in this batch recorded minimal quantities of calories, fats, carbohydrates, and sugars.
6 of 8 products in this batch exceeded the established Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for vitamin B6 of 100 mg per day.
6 of 8 products in this batch analysis exceeded the FNB's established Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) of 100 mg per day. According to the NIH, long-term use of vitamin B6 supplements at doses of less than 500 mg per day have caused nerve damage in some people. However, the NIH also reports that in other studies, patients treated with an average of 200 mg/day of vitamin B6 for 5 years did not show any such consequences. This dose was halved for the current 100 mg per day UL, which does not apply to individuals prescribed vitamin B6 for medical treatment. Vitamin B6 can also interact with certain medications1. Please consult your physician before supplementation, especially if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or are taking any other drugs or dietary supplements.
No synthetic sweeteners, artificial colors, or controversial preservatives were recorded in this batch.
On average, products measured 158 mg of vitamin B6 per serving.
Vitamin B6 content averaged 158 mg per serving, ranging from 26.7 mg in Solgar Vitamin B6 to 521 mg in Source Naturals Vitamin B6. Serving sizes are not standardized. Half of the products claimed serving sizes of 100 mg, but serving sizes overall ranged from 25 mg to 500 mg of vitamin B6 per serving.
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is used by the body for protein metabolism, sugar regulation, immune function, hemoglobin production, and brain development. To prevent vitamin B6 deficiency, the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamin B6 is 1.3 mg for adults up to 50 years of age, and then 1.7 mg for males and 1.5 mg for females 51 years of age and older. Above the RDA, supplementation has been found to help with pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) like moodiness, irritability, and anxiety, and in older adults, possibly cognitive decline1.
