Court finds student's suicide linked to B12 deficiency from vegan diet.

An inquest has determined that a university student ended her life following a severe onset of delusional beliefs, which the court found were directly linked to a vitamin B12 deficiency caused by her strict vegan diet. Georgina Owen, 21, of Saffron Walden in Essex, had adopted a plant-based lifestyle in 2016 driven by environmental concerns, yet this dietary choice left her vulnerable to a nutrient shortage that became critical in the months preceding her death in September 2019.

The University of Swansea student, remembered by those who knew her as vibrant and full of enthusiasm, was suffering from a significant lack of vitamin B12, a nutrient essential for red blood cell production and the maintenance of the nervous system and DNA. While meat, dairy, eggs, and shellfish are rich sources of this vitamin, obtaining it through an exclusively vegan regimen requires the consistent use of supplements or fortified foods. Despite her family noting that she had not taken her prescribed B12 supplements for at least six months, Miss Owen claimed she had simply forgotten them and had purchased an organic Methyl-cobalamin B12 spray from Canada to compensate. However, post-mortem blood tests conducted by the coroner confirmed she remained deficient.

Elizabeth Gray, the area coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, reported to the court that Miss Owen exhibited unusually erratic behavior leading up to her death. Her personal diaries revealed a marked deterioration in her mental health, with the coroner noting that her family observed her dwelling intensely on the state of the world and her place within it. Gray further stated that Miss Owen was meditating frequently and recounted a recent meditation event where she experienced an out-of-body episode that she found deeply distressing.

The court heard that Miss Owen's symptoms and the results of her blood tests correlated clearly with the clinical signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, a condition known to cause anaemia as well as neurological and psychological issues. Although her family arranged for psychological support for what they identified as anxiety and planned to drive her back to Wales on September 19, 2019, to resume her studies after a weekend of surfing, she was found hanged at her home address later that same day. The tragedy underscores the critical importance of nutritional vigilance, as a deficiency in this specific nutrient can precipitate severe mental health crises even in individuals with a strong commitment to their ethical dietary choices.

Paramedics revived the student with CPR before transporting her to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where she passed away two days later. Following her death, inquiries were launched to determine if a lack of vitamin B12, attributed to her vegan diet, had led to psychiatric issues. Three specialists examined her medical records and confirmed that her blood tests aligned with a B12 deficiency. A subsequent report highlighted "vague signs of cognitive impairment, anxiety, difficulty with simple decision-making and fatigue." The coroner concluded that the student died while suffering from delusional beliefs caused by a gradually developing psychiatric disorder, which stemmed directly from the vitamin deficiency resulting from her diet.

The Vegan Society advises that all individuals following a vegan lifestyle take B12 supplements to avoid symptoms such as energy loss, hallucinations, and personality changes. Their guidance warns that choosing not to use fortified foods or supplements is akin to conducting a "dangerous experiment - one that many have tried before with consistently low levels of success." Julian Owen, the student's father and a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, had previously expressed his concern to the Daily Mail that a vitamin B12 deficiency contributed to her death. He stated, "Georgina only sporadically took B12 supplements. Sadly she became psychotic and took her own life suffering an 'acute delusional episode'," adding, "I strongly believe that B12 deficiency may well have had a role to play." Since the inquest, he has co-founded CluB-12, a group dedicated to advancing research and understanding of vitamin B12. Data from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence indicates that B12 deficiency affects approximately three percent of people aged 20 to 39, a figure that could rise to 11 percent among vegans of all ages. For those seeking confidential support, the Samaritans can be reached at 116 123, their website, or www.thecalmzone.net/get-support.