Dr. Aryn Bartoshyk, ND

Lithium

LIthium

gettyimages-1187825196-612x612.jpg
 
 

Lithium: a mineral that transforms and heals the brain.

Lithium is known for its mood-stabilizing effects and in high doses (600-1800 mg) is used as a successful treatment for Bipolar Disorder. However, the high-dose treatment is commonly associated with unwanted adverse effects such as gastrointestinal complaints, tremor, confusion, somnolence, hypothyroidism, and impaired kidney function. Low-dose lithium (100-500 mcg), however, has been shown to be effective without adverse effects.

POTENTIAL INDICATIONS OF NUTRITIONAL LITHIUM

  • Prevention of Alzheimer’s and dementia

  • Parkinson’s disease

  • Mood disorders e.g., bipolar, depression

  • Suicide prevention

  • Irritability, anger, aggression

  • Addiction and substance abuse

  • Eating disorders

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

SIDE EFFECTS OF NUTRITIONAL LITHIUM

  • Rarely, people feel “too subdued” or “too relaxed” to the extent the feel uncomfortable.

REFERENCES

  • Buck Institute. (2015). Low-dose lithium reduces side effects from most common treatment for Parkinson's disease. Retrieved from www.buckinstitute.org/buck-news/low-dose-lithium-reduces-side-effects-from-most-common-treatment-for-Parkinson's-disease.

  • Findling, R. L., Robb, A., McNamara, N. K., Pavuluri, M. N., Kafantaris, V., Scheffer, R., Frazier, J. A., Rynn, M., DelBello, M., Kowatch, R. A., Rowles, B. M., Lingler, J., Martz, K., Anand, R., Clemons, T. E., & Taylor-Zapata, P. (2015). Lithium in the Acute Treatment of Bipolar I Disorder: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Pediatrics, 136(5), 885–894.

  • Greenblatt, J., & Grossmann, K. (2016). Nutritional Lithium: A Cinderella story: The untold tale of a mineral that transforms lives and heals the brain. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

  • Hsu, L. G. (1984). Treatment of bulimia with lithium. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 141(10), 1260–1262.

  • Leyhe, T., Eschweiler, G.W., Stransky, E., Gasser, T., Annas, P., Basun, H., Laske, C. (2009). Increase of BDNF serum concentration in lithium treated patients with early Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Alzheimers Disease. 16(3):649-56.

  • McKnight, R.F., Adida, M., Budge, K., Stockton, S., Goodwin, G.M., Geddes, J.R. (2012). Lithium toxicity profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 379(9817):721-8.

  • Mischley, L.K. (2012). Lithium deficiency in Parkinson's Disease (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from University of Washington.

  • Nunes, M.A., Viel, T.A., Buck, H.S. (2013). Microdose lithium treatment stabilized cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Current Alzheimer Research. 10(1), 104-7.

  • Ohgami, H., Terao, T., Shiotsuki, I., Ishii, N., & Iwata, N. (2009). Lithium levels in drinking water and risk of suicide. British Journal of Psychiatry. 194(5), 464-5.

  • Schrauzer, G.N., & deVroey, E. (1994). Effects of nutritional lithium supplementation on mood. A placebo-controlled study with former drug users. Biological Trace Element Research, 40(1), 89-101.

  • Sheard. M.H. (1975). Lithium in the treatment of aggression. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 160(2), 108-18.