Tag Archives: toxicity

Experts Warn of Rising Vitamin B6 Toxicity in Electrolyte Drinks and Supplements: Essential Insights You Need

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Awareness is increasing about the rare but serious side effects associated with high doses of vitamin B6, a nutrient commonly found in various dietary supplements, electrolyte drinks, and fortified foods.

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, plays a crucial role in multiple bodily functions, such as nerve health, protein metabolism, and blood sugar regulation. This nutrient is vital for brain development, making it especially important during pregnancy and infancy. It is often marketed for its energy-boosting and stress-reducing properties.

Vitamin B6 is naturally present in many foods and is frequently added to instant products, particularly cereals. As indicated by the Office of Dietary Supplements, most multivitamins are formulated with B6.

Jamie Allan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, noted that some energy drinks utilize B6 as a caffeine substitute.

“People may be surprised at how prevalent B vitamins are in their diets,” she explains.

This widespread availability contributes to the issue.

Dr. Norman Latoff, a neurologist and director of the Peripheral Neuropathy Clinical Research Center at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, cautioned that excessive B6 can accumulate in body tissues and lead to nerve damage.

In November, concerns about vitamin B6 poisoning led the Australian Government to impose restrictions on supplements with high levels of this nutrient. By mid-2027, over-the-counter products will be limited to a daily dose of 50 milligrams, with anything above 200mg requiring a prescription.

Despite growing concerns, the popularity of vitamin B6 continues to rise. According to research firm IndustrieArk, the market for this vitamin is projected to surpass $712 million globally by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% from 2024 to 2030.

While cases of poisoning remain rare, the number is on the rise. In 2024 alone, 439 cases of vitamin B6 exposure were reported, compared to 369 in 2023, according to the National Toxic Substance Data System.

Joanne Slavin, a registered dietitian and professor of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota, expressed that many individuals assume water-soluble vitamins like B6 to be harmless. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, which are stored in the liver and fatty tissues, water-soluble vitamins are released through urine and need to be consumed regularly.

“It’s essential to understand that vitamins are not inert; they are chemicals,” explains Slavin. “There’s no need to overload your system.”

B6 toxicity might go underreported since symptoms develop gradually, with many consumers unaware of their excessive intake. “It sneaks up on you,” said Latoff, who estimates that 5% to 10% of neuropathy patients at Weill Cornell Center present with elevated B6 levels.

Early symptoms can include occasional numbness in the toes, which might be dismissed, followed by sensations of heat, cold, stinging, or tingling that begin in the feet and may extend upward.

Additional symptoms of B6 toxicity include nerve pain, numbness, imbalance, muscle weakness, fluctuations in blood pressure, fatigue, heartburn, and nausea.

A simple blood test can confirm if your B6 levels exceed safe limits.

“B6 has a wide margin of safety, allowing for significant amounts above the recommended dose,” remarked Allan. “However, excessive consumption of even water can lead to adverse effects.”

Colorado Woman Shares Her ‘Horrifying’ Vitamin B6 Poisoning Experience

Blair Huddy relocated to Colorado from California in 2024 and began using electrolyte drink mixes on advice from others to combat altitude sickness.

Hadi, now 36, took the drink daily, following the instructions to mix one sachet with 16 ounces of water. Each packet contained 1.93 mg of vitamin B6, which is about 110% of the recommended daily value.

She soon began experiencing bewildering symptoms like dizziness, heart palpitations, and adrenaline rushes while continuing her electrolyte routine, clueless about the correlation. By January 2025, she also suffered from allergy-like symptoms and sleep disturbances. It wasn’t until March, after consuming chicken liver for the first time (which is rich in vitamin B6), that she was hospitalized with anaphylaxis and suspected heart complications.

Without prior allergic reactions, the situation baffled doctors.

“It was terrifying. I didn’t understand what was happening to me,” she recounted. “I continued taking the drink mix thinking I was just staying hydrated.”

Following her hospital discharge, Hadi developed peripheral neuropathy and tinnitus.

“I visited the doctor repeatedly, convinced something was seriously wrong,” Hadi explained, expressing feelings of exhaustion and anxiety triggered by these health issues. “I lost jobs and faced challenges at work.”

In May, she urged her doctor to conduct a blood test.

The clinic nurse informed her, “Your vitamin B6 levels are over twice the upper limit. You need to stop all B6 intake immediately.”

What is a Safe Amount of Vitamin B6?

The recommended daily intake for vitamin B6 is 1.3 mg for young adults, 1.5 mg for women over 50, and 1.7 mg for older men.

Foods rich in vitamin B6 include poultry, fish, beef liver, starchy vegetables, and non-citrus fruits. Most individuals receive sufficient B6 from their diet.

In the U.S., the established upper limit for adults is 100 mg. In contrast, the European Food Safety Authority caps it at 12 mg, while Australia sets the limit at 50 mg.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition, which represents supplement manufacturers, regards 100 mg per day as a safe limit for the average healthy individual. However, specific health conditions may necessitate adjusted intake levels.

“The individual’s metabolism and ability to process vitamins influences their needs,” says Wong. “Various other factors can also contribute to the effects you’re experiencing.”

A 2020 study published in Pharmaceutical Nutrition noted that factors such as diet, genetics, and medication use can affect vitamin B6 toxicity, even at recommended levels.

Vitamin B6 may appear on labels as pyridoxine, pyridoxal, or pyridoxamine, indicating its various chemical forms.

“Be sure to monitor the cumulative intake from all sources to ensure you meet your personal needs,” advises Wong.

Vitamin B6 remains in the body for 30 to 40 days. Latoff noted that symptoms should improve once B6 intake ceases, though complete nerve regeneration may not be possible based on the extent of damage.

Hadi attributes her symptoms to the electrolyte drink mix she consumed daily for six months, suspecting her diet also contributed, as she did not take other supplements.

While she is recovering, Hadi still experiences some ringing in her ears and is undergoing physical therapy. She has resumed work and is providing support for individuals dealing with vitamin B6 toxicity.

“I wish I had someone to share that suffering with, and now I can support others experiencing it,” Hadi expressed.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Introducing Gen X: How the Internet’s Toxicity Has Fueled Anger and Radicalization Among Middle-Aged People

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IThis might come off as unusual, but discussing the weather was common for us. If not that, we tend to contemplate the trivial exchanges with strangers we encounter daily, like musing over the train delays or commenting on a baby’s cuteness. However, the nature of our public conversations appears to be shifting.

Recently, while at Aldi, I engaged in the typical small talk at the checkout. When the cashier mentioned her fatigue from extra shifts to save for Christmas, a man behind me chimed in, suggesting that things would worsen if “she took all our money” (in case you’re curious, Rachel Reeves is definitely pushing her budget agenda). It seemed ordinary, until he proceeded to speak about how she and the government should go out, hinting at ex-military men who supposedly knew what to do, before escalating into graphic commentary until the line quieted down. What struck me was how calmly he articulated these thoughts, as if political violence had become just another acceptable topic for casual chats, akin to football or construction updates. It dawned on me later that this was a conversation drawn straight from Facebook, transposed into reality, where he voiced what’s often casually expressed online, seemingly unaware that such remarks can still shock in public—at least for now.

I recalled this encounter when Health Secretary Wes Streeting noted that NHS staff from ethnic minorities are facing a resurgence of openly expressed racism, a reflection of broader societal trends. Streeting’s remarks highlighted not only blatant racism but a general loss of decorum that transcends hospital waiting rooms. This atmosphere is palpable even at a bus stop, where a simple query about Route 44’s new schedule can pivot to wild theories about chemtrails and surveillance. Similarly, innocent conversations at school gates can reveal surprising and bizarre beliefs among seemingly normal parents regarding vaccines.

One of my friends dubs this phenomenon “sauna politics,” drawing from the bizarre and conspiratorial discussions he overheard at a local sauna. But whatever the name, it feels as though individuals are now externalizing their inner dialogues—thoughts they previously hesitated to voice publicly, sometimes even hiding them from themselves. After all, people can state such ideas online without a second glance. What, I wonder, is the equivalent of a young man attempting something he saw in online adult content with his girlfriend, only to be baffled when it fails? This time, however, the culprits are more likely confused teenagers than parents, grappling with the rapid dissolution of online social norms and a resurgence of slurs they haven’t heard aloud since their youth.

Midlife radicalization, which might seem paradoxical, counters stereotypes of stagnation. In our minds, if not others’, Gen Xers have been seen as the cultural peacekeepers. Too old to be labeled reactionary yet too young to be in the thick of it, we’ve inhabited this Goldilocks zone of moderation. Nevertheless, something appears to have transpired among those encountering midlife crises. Gen Xers now fear the world is evolving beyond their grasp. We worry about job security, marital stability post-children, whether our ideas are antiquated, and if we’re the subject of ridicule behind closed doors. While many navigate this phase without succumbing to political upheaval, some do seek release for their frustrations and disenchantment with unmet life expectations.

Populist insurrections now seem fueled by Generation X, rather than embittered retirees or teenagers swayed by right-wing propaganda. Only 19% of those in their 50s in the UK voted for British Reform. Surprisingly, one-third of those aged 50 to 64 would likely do the same now, marking a swift shift for the “Cool Britannia” generation that once propelled Tony Blair into office, according to YouGov—pivotal for propelling the party from fringe to mainstream. In the US, Generation X is known for being the demographic most inclined to identify as Republicans.

Still, with few exceptions such as the smidge project – a three-year international study on the dissemination of conspiracy theories and misinformation reveals an alarming lack of focus on understanding how 45 to 65-year-olds can be deradicalized, or how midlife minds react to the experiment of unregulated free speech.

My generation often believes we are immune to the influences of the online world, that we possess greater tech savvy than our parents, that we’re less fixated on TikTok than the youth, and that we can separate online discourse from reality. Yet, evidence suggests we struggle to compartmentalize more than we realize. Perhaps the only surprise is that it took this long for these boundaries to blur, given the thin fourth wall separating online and offline dialogues.

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Source: www.theguardian.com

Addressing Social Media Toxicity: Algorithms Alone Won’t Solve the Problem

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Can I address the issue of social media?

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The impact of social media polarization transcends mere algorithms. Research conducted with AI-generated users reveals that this stems from fundamental aspects of the platform’s operation. It indicates that genuine solutions will require a re-evaluation of online communication frameworks.

Petter Törnberg from the University of Amsterdam and his team created 500 AI chatbots reflecting a diverse range of political opinions in the United States, based on the National Election Survey. Utilizing the GPT-4o Mini Large Languages Model, these bots were programmed to engage with one another on simplified social networks without commercial influences or algorithms.

Throughout five rounds of experiments, each consisting of 10,000 actions, the AI agents predominantly interacted with like-minded individuals. Those with more extreme views garnered greater followership and reposts, increasing visibility for users attracted to more partisan content.

In prior research, Törnberg and his colleagues explored whether different algorithmic approaches in simulated social networks could mitigate political polarization. However, the new findings appear to challenge earlier conclusions.

“We expected this polarization to be largely driven by algorithms,” Törnberg states. “[We thought] the platform is geared towards maximizing engagement and inciting outrage, thus producing these outcomes.”

Instead, they found that the algorithm itself isn’t the primary culprit. “We created the simplest platform imaginable, and yet we saw these results immediately,” he explains. “This suggests that there are deeply ingrained behaviors linked to following, reposting, and engagement that are at play.”

To see if these ingrained behaviors could be moderated or counteracted, the researchers tested six potential interventions. These included time series display only, diminishing the visibility of viral content, concealing opposing viewpoints, amplifying sympathetic and rational content, hiding follower and repost counts, and obscuring profile bios.

Most interventions yielded minimal effects. Cross-partisan engagement shifted only by about 6% or less, while the prominence of top accounts changed by 2-6%, but some modifications, like concealing bios, worsened polarization. While some changes that reduced user inequality made extreme posts more attractive, alterations aimed at softening partisanship inadvertently drew more attention to a small group of elite users.

“Most activities on social media devolve into toxic interactions. The root issues with social media stem from its foundational design, which can accentuate negative human behavior,” states Jess Maddox of the University of Georgia.

Törnberg recognizes that while this experiment simplifies various dynamics, it provides insights into what social platforms can do to curb polarization. “Fundamental changes may be necessary,” he cautions. “Tweaking algorithms and adjusting parameters might not be sufficient; we may need to fundamentally rethink interaction structures and how these platforms shape our political landscapes.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Concerning Top Brands: Assessing Elon Musk’s Impact on Tesla’s Toxicity

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gThe famous brand of Lobabury didn’t want to be associated with the German far-right opposition. But Tesla, one of the world’s largest company names, does not have a traditional CEO.

After Elon Musk supports the alternative, Fool Deutsla Land (AFD), it is called Germany’s “only hope” – voters are considering replacing Tesla. Data released Thursday showed that the German company’s electric vehicle registrations fell 76% last month to 1,429. Overall, electric vehicle registrations increased by 31%.

Tesla’s biggest shareholder, who has expressed support for right-wing leaders around the world, is now a de facto American cabinet member under the Donald Trump administration.

Tesla’s reputation is closely tied to mask politics. After he spent $288 million on Trump’s 2024 election victory, Tesla’s valuation passed $1tn. But Musk’s political involvement is unprecedented for the head of a company of that size — and could also have a negative impact.

On Friday, a group of extinct rebel activists occupied a Tesla store in central Milan. Activists chained themselves to the tires of the car, while others glued them to the window along with slogans, “Let the billionaires pay again” and “Ecology, no ecofascism.”

Analysts openly wonder whether Musk is causing permanent damage to the brand he made synonymous with electric vehicles, and even brings a liberal aspiration to tackle climate change.

Tesla was asked to comment.

Tesla was the world’s largest producer of battery electric vehicles in 2024, but sales fell to 1.79 million. This was the first time since 2011 that it had withstanded a decline in sales since 2011 after years of rapid growth that became the world’s most valuable automaker.

The manufacturer said in January that global sales will increase in 2025, and Wall Street analysts hope Tesla will sell more than 2 million cars this year. But even these predictions represent little fiery return to form. Recently, Musk said in October that it expects sales growth of 20% to 30% per year, meaning that as many as 2.3 million cars are on sale.

“Customer retention will be important as customers…

Other analysts are more optimistic. Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities, a US financial company, is a longtime Tesla supporter. Ives believes…

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Nevertheless, there are clear indications in the US…

He states: That’s ironic as vehicles are built for the environmentally-conscious Liberal Party and have become a symbol of conservative movements.

There were positive signs elsewhere too…

The concern for Tesla investors is whether the mask has turned its peak to the edge of a cliff.

Additional Reports Lorenzo Tondo

Source: www.theguardian.com

Warframe: A Safe Haven for My Son and Many Others in an Online World Full of Toxicity

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SSix months ago, my son Zach started playing a video game that I knew little about, and as a games journalist, it was a little disconcerting. Warframe is an online science fiction shooter game created by Canadian-based developer Digital Extremes and first released in 2013. Although it’s hardly talked about outside of its fanbase, it has 75 million registered users and is consistently one of his biggest titles on Steam.

Set in a far-future solar system infested with hostile alien forces, players join the side of the Tenno, an ancient warlike race whose primary weapons are barely sentient cybernetic fighters (the warframes of the title). Zack spends hours each day flying between planets, completing missions and exploring while battling enemies such as the brutal clone army known as the Grineer and the giant, disease-ridden Infested. This sounds similar to Destiny, The Division, Final Fantasy XIV Online, and a dozen other so-called live service games that run indefinitely online, with new tasks, locations, and items added all the time. However, Warframe attracted his son’s attention. He has one important reason for that. It’s a very friendly and welcoming community.

Zach is on the autism spectrum and is now 18 years old, but he still finds it difficult to socialize in the real world. He’s loved games like Minecraft and his Fortnite for years, but as he’s gotten older, he’s gotten into darker, more mature stories and worlds. When I saw that he stumbled upon this epic gothic space opera, I was concerned that it would lead him to join gaming’s less bland communities: edgelords, griefers, and Call of Duty fans. I was worried that I would be in contact with aspiring professional gamers who could turn a shooting game like this into a game. A difficult place for vulnerable people.




More friendly shooting…Warframe. Photo: Digital Extremes

But in Warframe, the experience was different. The other players were immediately friendly, welcoming, and accommodating. What helped Zack from the beginning was the game’s well-maintained and very lively on-screen chat window. This allows players to ask questions and share tips and experiences without speaking. This is a huge advantage for neurodivergent players. In-game chat is not uncommon in live service games, but this place is mostly fine with proper moderation. Other players will do their best to help Zack, helping him find rare resources such as argon crystals, and escorting him to planets they have not yet unlocked. They also gave him weapons and items. He joined the Clan a few weeks ago and has made new friends throughout the US and Europe and hangs out together regularly.

According to Digital Extremes, they realized very early in development that building and maintaining a welcoming community was essential. “The community department was one of his first departments on the team,” says his creative director Rebecca Ford. She nods in recognition when I tell her how much people have helped my son. “[The in-game chat] is a place where you can say, “I have no idea what I’m doing” or “Does anyone have any advice for this build?” Warframe is a complex, cooperative, hard science fiction world. For us, that channel was essential.”




Rebecca Ford, Creative Director at Digital Extremes. Photo: Digital Extremes

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Source: www.theguardian.com