Sudden death of man on low protein diet

A healthy young man who had been following an unusual diet and taking salt supplements bought over the internet suddenly collapsed…

A healthy young man who had been following an unusual diet and taking salt supplements bought over the internet suddenly collapsed and died, an inquest has been told.

Luke McGuire (26) was found collapsed in the back garden of his family home at Oakley Road, Ranelagh, on June 2nd last year.

Brian McGuire told Dublin Coroner’s Court yesterday that his son took his health and fitness very seriously and never drank or took drugs. In the months before his death, he was following a “very low protein” vegetarian diet which required him to eat raw vegetables, fruit and baked potatoes.

The diet was developed by Robert O Young, an alternative medicine advocate in the United States. The court heard that Mr McGuire had a scheduled regime of very high water intake.

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Coroner Dr Brian Farrell said he may have been suffering from a chronic low sodium situation that “tipped over” on the day of his death. With the consent of the family, he adjourned the inquest until November 8th to take further advice.