Vegan College Student Dies by Suicide. Experts Say Her Mental Decline Was a 'Direct Result' of Her Diet
Yahoo News UK • • health
Key Points:
- Georgina Owen, a 21-year-old college student who followed a vegan diet, died by suicide in September 2019 after stopping vitamin B12 supplements for at least six months, leading to a severe B12 deficiency.
- Medical experts and the coroner's report linked her B12 deficiency to psychiatric symptoms, including delusional beliefs, which contributed to her mental health deterioration and eventual death.
- Owen's family observed erratic behavior and mental health struggles prior to her death, supported by diaries and a psychiatric review indicating possible mental illness influenced by B12 deficiency.
- Vitamin B12, primarily found in animal products, is crucial for mental well-being, and deficiency can cause neurological and psychological symptoms such as psychosis and cognitive impairment, especially in individuals on vegan diets.
- The case highlights the importance of supplementing vegan diets with vitamin B12, as emphasized by medical literature and the European Journal of Medicine, to prevent serious health consequences.