When you’ve had weight loss surgery, you get pretty used to hearing about vitamins: take this every day, watch your bloods, don’t skip your multi. But lately, one little nutrient has been popping up in conversations a lot — Vitamin B6.
Why B6 Matters
B6 is a workhorse vitamin. It helps your body turn food into energy, supports your brain and nervous system, and even helps make haemoglobin (the thing that carries oxygen in your blood). In the right dose, it’s fantastic.
But too much B6 can tip over into issues. Some people may notice tingling, numbness, or burning in the hands and feet — and in some cases, high levels have been linked to nerve problems. It’s one of the few vitamins where more isn’t always better.
What the Research Shows
Across New Zealand and overseas, dietitians and researchers have noticed a pattern:
- Patients rarely show B6 deficiency anymore
- In fact, a surprising number are turning up with higher than normal B6 levels — sometimes even four times the upper limit
Common sources? Energy drinks, hair, skin and nail supplements, B-complex drinks like Berocca, and vitamin waters such as Powerade Active.
These drinks can actually be a big help after surgery (hydration + a vitamin boost = yes please). The key isn’t cutting them out, but keeping an eye on how all your sources add up. For most people, it’s not dangerous — but it is worth being mindful.
Our Response at My New Tum
When this came onto our radar last year, we took it seriously. We’ve already halved the B6 in our Multi from 10mg down to 5mg — and the updated recipe has been on shelves since October. So if you’ve bought from us in the last few months, you already have the lower-B6 version in your hands.
And because we’re a small company (nimble as a cat chasing a laser pointer, honestly), we can make changes quickly if our community needs them.
We’d Love Your Input
We’re always open to feedback — here are a few things we’d love your thoughts on:
- Has your blood test ever shown elevated B6?
- Are there any ingredients you’d like to see us use more or less of?
- Are there other products you’d love to see in the My New Tum range?
The Takeaway
The “B6 Balancing Act” doesn’t have to be confusing. It’s simply a reminder that nutrition after WLS isn’t one-size-fits-all — it’s about balance.
We’ve already acted by lowering B6 (yes, the current multi on our shelves is the updated one), and we’ll keep refining things with your input. At the end of the day, your vitamins should support you, not stress you.
As always, we’re here to listen, adapt, and stay nimble as a brand that moves with you — not years behind you. 💜