In the UK, the amazing but tragic story of 48-year-old Dr. Basil Brown, a nutritionist and natural food advocate who died because of his fanatical belief in the benefits of vitamins, is still remembered.
Brown was a well-known advocate of a healthy lifestyle and believed that regular vitamin intake could prolong life. However, in 1974, his experiment with a “super diet” ended fatally when a man died from acute vitamin A poisoning.
According to the investigation, Brown drank about ten gallons of carrot juice over a ten-day period, along with large doses of vitamin A pills. This led to the destruction of his liver. The coroner who conducted the examination noted that the liver had damage similar to that seen in people with long-term alcohol addiction.
The official cause of death was almost grotesque: “death from carrot juice addiction.” Upon examination, Brown’s body had an orange hue—a result of excess carotene in the body.
Experts explain that vitamin A is fat-soluble, and excess amounts accumulate in the liver, turning into a toxin. This phenomenon, known as hypervitaminosis A, can cause damage to internal organs, headaches, and coma.
Brown sincerely believed that the experiment would help improve health, and for years he lectured on natural nutrition, warning others against bad habits. However, his own pursuit of perfect health was the cause of his downfall.
Half a century later, Basil Brown's story remains a classic example of how even the healthiest foods can be dangerous if taken in excess.
