Lithium
This trace mineral has been used as a mood stabilizer for decades. It is used in the form of lithium salts such as prescription lithium carbonate or lithium citrate and non-prescription lithium orotate or lithium aspartate.
Special Precautions of Lithium
- Because the line between an effective dose and toxicity is minute, it is vital that those taking dosages of lithium in the range of 100 mgs and up should have regular blood tests to determine the levels of lithium in their blood.
- It is also important to balance any increased intake of lithium in the body with an appropriate level of salt (NaCl, table salt) to prevent symptoms of salt depletion.
- Lithium orotate should never be confused with lithium carbonate. Based on research, Lithium carbonate should not be taken if you : Require a prescription, Have Renal disease, Have Cardiovascular disease, Are Severely Ill, Suffer from dehydration, Take Diuretics, Take ACE inhibitors, Take beta-blockers or other anti-hypertension drugs, Take Insulin, There are many side effects.
- To be on the safe side, we always recommend that anyone taking lithium also take a teaspoonful or two of fish oils (or other essential fatty acid) along with 400 IU of vitamin E (as mixed tocopherols) each day.
Health Benefits and uses of Lithium are
There is no doubt that lithium is the single most effective treatment for the manic phase of bipolar disorder, and anyone taking lithium at levels prescribed for treatment of mania, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia should be under the care of a physician. However, regular supplementation with low levels (~2 mgs daily) has been shown to be effective in regulating moods and reducing incidence of anger, depression and suicidal thoughts in many who do not fit the clinical profile of bipolar disorder. Clinical research has found lithium active in the following functions:
- Protecting brain cells from toxicity
- Promoting brain cell regeneration
- Increasing gray matter of the brain
- Regulating brain neurotransmitters
- Supporting healthy mood balance
- Improving blood sugar metabolism
- At low doses, lithium prolonged the life of fruit flies in lab experiments.
