Why Do Vitamin B Supplements Turn Urine Yellow?

Tip

Riboflavin, vitamin B12, folic acid and other B-complex vitamins contain yellow- green or yellow-orange pigments that may change urine color. This side effect is harmless and usually goes away on its own.

In general, neon yellow pee results from excessive vitamin B intakes. These nutrients are water-soluble, so the excess leaves your body through urine. Except for niacin and vitamin B6, they are unlikely to cause side effects when consumed in large doses.

Urine Color and Your Health

Consult a doctor immediately if your urine is red, black or dark brown or has a foamy consistency. These changes in urine color and texture may indicate a more serious problem, such as liver disease or melanoma. Also, seek medical help if you see blood in your urine.

Warning

Sometimes, changes in urine color may indicate a more serious condition, such as liver disease or bile duct problems. Contact your doctor immediately if your urine turns red or dark brown.

What Causes Neon Pee?

Neon yellow pee is often the result of high vitamin B intakes. For example, riboflavin (vitamin B2) contains a yellow-green pigment with fluorescent hues. When consumed in large doses, it may cause your pee to turn bright yellow. The excess is eliminated in the urine, so it's unlikely to cause more serious side effects.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that riboflavin regulates energy production and helps you process lipids, steroids and some drugs. It occurs naturally in most foods, including milk and dairy, salmon, poultry, eggs, spinach and almonds. One cup of plain yogurt, for instance, boasts 35 percent of the daily recommended intake for riboflavin. A single serving of pan-fried beef liver provides 171 percent of the daily recommended allowance.

Folic acid supplements can make your pee orange or bright yellow. These pills contain a water-soluble yellow or yellowish-orange powder, and the excess is eliminated unchanged in the urine.

Why Are B Vitamins Important?

Vitamin B yellow pee isn't a reason for concern. Most B vitamins are harmless when consumed in large doses. The only exceptions are vitamin B6 and niacin, which may cause severe toxicity.

High doses of niacin may affect the liver and cause abdominal pain, arrhythmia, dizziness, skin flushing and other side effects, as reported by the Mayo Clinic. Excess vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, may lead to nerve damage, nausea and hypersensitivity to sunlight.

B-complex vitamins may also give the urine a green hue. However, this is a normal side effect and has no impact on your health. In fact, B vitamin deficiencies are a lot more harmful than overdosing.

Low levels of vitamin B12, for example, can affect your energy and stamina. You may also experience unintentional weight loss, poor appetite, constipation, depression and memory problems. In the long run, vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to anemia and nervous system damage, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Make sure your diet provides adequate doses of thiamin, or vitamin B1. This water-soluble nutrient helps your body convert food into energy. It's found in beans, fortified cereals, pork, tuna, shellfish, brown rice and other whole foods. Thiamin deficiency has been linked to cardiovascular problems, memory loss, anorexia and neurological disorders.

For example, vitamin B12 and folic acid may help prevent depression in women. Furthermore, vitamin B12 deficiency may play a role in the onset of neurocognitive disorders. High folate intakes have been linked to lower rates of dementia in the elderly.

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