Some Questions For You Guys In the UK!!

Hey there,

I was interested in buying some vitamin B12 supplements or even B6 from a health store and was wondering how do i know which ones to buy? I am currently 16, coming 17 in september andi was wondering is it bad for me to take some at the moment because my friend says taking it may have adverse affects... really confused :S

Also if it is all fine and dandy for me to take B12 or B6 supplements, can anyone else living in the UK recommend a shop to buy it in... the likes of holland and barret? would they do?

ANY advice is welcome

cheers again, Nikki:P

bump

I'm not from Britain, but I know that B6 and B12 are both vitamins that are essential to the body.

Taking them will cause no problems.

Hi Nikki, I did a study of vitamins whilst doing a reflexology practitioners course recently. Here's what I discovered about B6 and B12:

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) - Natural diuretic; beneficial for menstrual problems, stress-related problems, allergies, nausea during pregnancy, joint and muscle pain, to boost the immune system, and to help in preventing kidney stones.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) - Helps with fatigue; prevents most anaemia; has been used in the treatment of osteoporosis, hepatitis, shingles, asthma, bursitis, eczema, allergies, and digestion.

Food sources -Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) - Brewer's yeast, carrots, eggs, fish, meat, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and wheatgerm.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) - Brewer's yeast, clams, herring, kidney, liver, mackerel, dairy products, seafood, kelp.

Deficiencies cause -
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) - Muscle weakness, irritability, nervousness, depression, fatigue, nervous system and nerve-related problems, insomnia, confusion, poor co-ordination, hyperactivity, dermatitis, eye and visual disturbances.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) - Difficulty walking or speaking, soreness or weakness of the arms or legs, mood changes, mental slowness, and fatigue.

With regard to stores in the UK - I would recommend Holland and Barratt but also a new chain of health stores called Fresh 'n' Wild are very helpful. I imagine both have websites.

Good luck.

Cheyenne

Be advised that while taking a reasonable amount of B6 will have no ill effects, toxicity can occur with excessive amounts.

"What is the health risk of too much vitamin B6 ?
Too much vitamin B6 can result in nerve damage to the arms and legs. This neuropathy is usually related to high intake of vitamin B6 from supplements, and is reversible when supplementation is stopped. According to the Institute of Medicine, several reports show sensory neuropathy at doses lower than 500 mg per day. The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine has established an upper tolerable intake level (UL) for vitamin B6 of 100 mg per day for all adults. As intake increases above the UL, the risk of adverse effects increases."

There is no UL established for B12 on the other hand. It appears to be harmless regardless of amount.