A university student tragically took her own life while experiencing delusional beliefs directly caused by a deficiency resulting from her vegan diet, an inquest has concluded.
Details of the Case
Georgina Owen, 21, from Saffron Walden, Essex, adopted a vegan lifestyle in 2016 due to environmental concerns. This diet deprived her of foods rich in vitamin B12, a crucial nutrient found in meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Cambridgeshire area coroner Elizabeth Gray reported that by August 2019, Miss Owen's family noticed she had not been taking her vitamin B12 supplements for at least six months.
Miss Owen, who the coroner noted had admitted to forgetting to take the supplements, died by suicide in September 2019 after exhibiting unusual and erratic behaviour. She was due to return to Swansea University on September 19 that year but was found at her home address with a note. Emergency services resuscitated her, and she was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, where she died two days later on September 21.
Coroner's Findings
Ms Gray stated that Miss Owen had reported buying an organic B12 supplement from Canada, intended as a 1mg daily oral spray. However, her family observed erratic behaviour in the lead-up to her death, supported by diaries that indicated a deterioration in her mental health. A psychiatrist concluded that while the diary entries alone did not suggest suicidal intent, her final note provided evidence of possible mental illness and delusions. The psychiatrist noted that psychiatric manifestations caused by vitamin B12 deficiency are recognised.
Blood tests were consistent with vitamin B12 deficiency, which the coroner determined likely resulted from Miss Owen's vegan diet of approximately three years. In her conclusion, Ms Gray stated that Miss Owen took her own life while suffering from delusional beliefs brought about by vitamin B12 deficiency developed as a direct result of her vegan diet.
Expert Opinions
An expert report concluded that vague signs of cognitive impairment, anxiety, difficulty with simple decision-making, and fatigue described by her family suggested a gradually developing psychiatric disorder culminating in the delusional beliefs expressed in her final letter. Miss Owen, who began studying geography at Swansea University in 2017, was described as vibrant, enthusiastic, passionate, and well-liked by peers and lecturers. She had planned to return to university on September 19, 2019, and had made arrangements to go surfing that weekend.
Vitamin B12 is found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and fortified foods. The NHS warns that deficiency can lead to psychological problems, including mild depression, anxiety, confusion, and dementia, as well as extreme tiredness, muscle weakness, and vision and memory issues.
If you are affected by any of the issues in this article, Samaritans (116 123 in UK and Ireland) operates a 24-hour service every day of the year. You can also email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
