A university student took her own life after developing delusional beliefs linked to a vitamin B12 deficiency caused by her vegan diet, a coroner has concluded.
Inquest Findings
Georgina Owen, 21, was found at her home in September 2019 and died two days later in hospital. The inquest heard that she had followed a vegan diet since 2016 but failed to take supplements, leading to a severe B12 deficiency.
Coroner Elizabeth Gray stated that psychiatric manifestations caused by vitamin B12 deficiency are “recognised”. An expert report suggested that Ms Owen's cognitive impairment, anxiety, and difficulty with decision-making before her death indicated a gradually developing psychiatric disorder.
Mother's Admission
In a separate case, a mother who starved her three-year-old son on a vegan diet admitted her beliefs caused his death.
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