Surgeon’s Daughter Took Her Life Because She Lacked One Simple Vitamin

In a heartbreaking story, an orthopedic surgeon from the United Kingdom discussed how his daughter took her own life because her diet lacked one vitamin: B12. Dr. Julian Owen’s daughter, Georgina, took her life in 2019 at the tender age of 21. Georgina had no history of psychiatric disease. According to Dr. Owen, she had been a strict vegan for three years before she began developing psychosis (a clinical syndrome characterized by hallucinations and/or delusions). Sadly, during an acute delusional episode, Georgina took her own life. Looking back, Dr. Owen observed that she was only taking her B12 supplements sporadically.

B12 is a very important vitamin. It is essential to the of red blood cells and to neurological function. B12 deficiency can cause a host of neurological problems, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, cognitive impairment, fatigue, migraine, vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, and even paralysis. The neurological damage from B12 deficiency may be irreversible if it goes untreated for too long.

Because vitamin B12 is found in animal-derived foods (meat, eggs, milk, and seafood), people who are vegetarian or vegan are at high risk of B12 deficiency and as such, must ensure that they use B12 supplements. In some gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., bariatric surgery, pernicious anemia), the gut is unable to adequately absorb B12; as a result, patients with these conditions must inject B12 intramuscularly to ensure proper absorption. Pregnant women must ensure their B12 intake is adequate due to the higher requirements for the growing baby. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas), used in anesthesia and as a recreational drug, can drop B12 levels and cause B12 deficiency.