Autopsy in 1973 Revealed Brain Edema, Early Death at 33 in Hong Kong
Research Team Suggests Excessive Cannabis and Water Intake... Kidney Dysfunction Led to Hyponatremia
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The cause of death of Bruce Lee (Li Xiaolong), the Chinese-American actor famous for 'The Legend of Kung Fu,' is presumed to be excessive water intake, according to a report on the 21st (local time) by British media 'The Sun' and 'Daily Mail,' citing a study by a team of doctors.
Bruce Lee died prematurely at the age of 33 in 1973. The autopsy revealed the cause of death as cerebral edema, and doctors attributed it to painkillers. There were various rumors, including assassination by Chinese criminal organizations.
Regarding this, the research team claimed, "We believe Bruce Lee died because his kidneys lost the ability to excrete excessive water." The cause of death analyzed by the team was hyponatremia. This condition, also known as 'water intoxication,' occurs when excessive water intake is not excreted through urine, leading to hyponatremia, which abnormally lowers sodium and electrolyte levels in the bloodstream, potentially causing seizures, coma, and other serious health problems. A representative symptom is swelling of cells in the body, including brain cells.
The research team suggested that Bruce Lee might have smoked marijuana, which increases thirst, and thus consumed large amounts of liquid, and that he had risk factors for hyponatremia, including impaired kidney function. The team published these findings (Who killed Bruce Lee? The hyponatraemia hypothesis) in the Clinical Kidney Journal.
The Bruce Lee statue located in Bruce Lee Memorial Park in Jun'an Town, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China. Standing at 18.8 meters tall, it is the largest Bruce Lee statue in the world. Photo by Yonhap News
Regarding Bruce Lee's excessive water intake, biographer Matthew Polly, author of 'Bruce Lee: A Life,' revealed in 2018 that Bruce Lee repeatedly drank water on the evening of his death. Polly stated that Bruce Lee also repeatedly smoked marijuana on the day of his death, leading experts to speculate that he drank water excessively. Additionally, Bruce Lee's wife Linda had previously stated that his diet before death mainly consisted of liquids such as carrot and apple juice.
Born in the United States in 1940, Bruce Lee moved to Hong Kong at three months old. He spent his childhood there and starred in 23 films, rising to become a global action star. At 18, he returned to the U.S. and gained fame by appearing in TV series such as 'The Green Hornet.'
He later returned to Hong Kong and left behind five films: 'The Big Boss,' 'Fist of Fury,' 'The Way of the Dragon,' 'Game of Death,' and 'Enter the Dragon.' However, just before the release of 'Enter the Dragon,' he died of cerebral edema in Hong Kong on July 20, 1973, at the age of 33. The film 'Game of Death' was completed with actor Dan Inosanto standing in as Bruce Lee's double due to his sudden death. Bruce Lee's daughter, Shannon Lee, posted on 'Bruce.com,' recalling, "Although my father passed away in 1973, his life continues to inspire us anew."
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