Vegan Diet Led to Nerve Damage for Woman, hk01.com Reported

A strict three-year vegan diet left a 42-year-old woman in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, with severe neurological damage that doctors warn could result in permanent disability, hk01.com reported.

Key Clinical Takeaways:

• The patient subsisted entirely on green vegetables, grains, legumes, and mushrooms, completely avoiding meat, dairy, and eggs.
• Medical examinations revealed profound vitamin B12 deficiency, leading to a formal diagnosis of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
• Attending physicians noted that while nutritional repletion and treatments are underway, deep nerve tissue damage may cause long-term sequelae.

Strict Vegan Diet Triggers Subacute Combined Degeneration in Hangzhou Patient

The progression of the patient’s condition began with subtle sensory deficits. She initially experienced numbness in both feet and a dulled sense of touch, which quickly escalated into limb weakness. Walking felt akin to treading on cotton, while nighttime sleep was regularly disrupted by sharp, painful tingling in her lower extremities. As the pathology advanced, her upper limbs lost strength, rendering routine tasks such as holding a water glass or fastening buttons increasingly difficult. A fall at home prompted her family to seek emergency medical evaluation.

Diagnostics at the hospital isolated the physiological root cause. Blood panels confirmed a critical shortage of vitamin B12, precipitating a diagnosis of subacute combined degeneration. Medical staff stated that without immediate intervention, the patient faced a severe risk of paralysis. Although therapeutic replenishment commenced following her hospitalization, physicians caution that the depth of the neurological injury leaves open the probability of enduring complications.

Biological Mechanisms of Vitamin B12 Depletion

Vitamin B12 functions as an essential nutrient responsible for maintaining the normal operation of the human nervous system, driving neural signal transmission and facilitating the repair of nerve damage. Because the active form of vitamin B12 occurs almost exclusively in animal-derived sources such as meat, seafood, eggs, and milk, strict exclusion of these products prevents adequate dietary intake. Even individuals maintaining lacto-ovo vegetarian diets struggle to secure sufficient active B12 from plant foods alone. Long-term adherence to a total vegan regimen systematically depletes the body’s internal nutrient reserves. Once those biological stores empty, clinical signs of nerve injury manifest. Prolonged reliance on plant-only intake may induce secondary deficits in iron and zinc, amplifying overall systemic and neurological compromise.

Clinical Recommendations for Plant-Based Diets

Addressing the risks identified in this case, attending clinicians outlined targeted guidance for individuals who choose to maintain vegetarian diets. Primary recommendations include prioritizing a lacto-ovo approach to retain eggs, milk, and yogurt as a steady intake vector for vitamin B12. Patients are additionally advised to follow professional medical guidance regarding regular vitamin B12 supplementation, incorporate routine blood testing to monitor systemic B12 concentration, and construct diversified dietary plans featuring nuts, whole grains, dark vegetables, and quality soy products to safeguard against broader micronutrient deficiencies.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.