Everything You Need to Know About Lithium Orotate Supplements

Lithium orotate supplements have gained popularity in recent years for their potential health benefits. However, there is still a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding this mineral and its use in supplement form. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about lithium orotate supplements.First and foremost, it’s important to understand that lithium orotate is a natural mineral that is used to support mental health and overall well-being. It is a form of lithium that is combined with orotic acid, which helps the mineral penetrate cell membranes more effectively. This means that lower doses of lithium orotate can be used compared to other forms of lithium, reducing the risk of side effects.

What are the benefits of lithium for the brain?

Lithium orotate is a salt formed by orotic acid and lithium. Its full name is lithium orotate monohydrate (Orotic acid lithium salt monohydrate), and its molecular formula is C5H3LIN2O4H2O. Lithium and orotic acid ions are not covalently bound but can dissociate in solution to produce free lithium ions. Research shows that lithium orotate is more bioavailable than the prescription drugs lithium carbonate or lithium citrate (US FDA-approved drugs).

Lithium is a drug commonly used in medicine to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric disorders. However, the absorption rate of lithium carbonate or lithium citrate is low, and high doses are required to produce therapeutic effects. Therefore, they have large side effects and are toxic. However, low-dose lithium orotate has corresponding curative effects and has few side effects.

As early as the 1970s, lithium orotate was marketed as a dietary supplement for certain mental illnesses, such as alcoholism and Alzheimer’s disease.

Part of the evidence is as follows:

Alzheimer’s disease: Research shows that lithium orotate has high bioavailability and can directly act on mitochondria and glial cell membranes to provide support and protection for neurons and delay or improve neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Neuroprotection and memory improvement: The latest research in American medicine has found that lithium can not only help protect brain cells from premature death, it may even promote brain cell regeneration. Therefore, lithium may protect the hippocampus from damage and maintain or enhance memory function.

Mood stabilizers: Lithium (lithium carbonate or lithium citrate) is used medically to treat depression and bipolar disorder. Similarly, lithium orotate has this effect. Because the dosage used is much smaller compared with the same period last year, it is well tolerated and has few side effects.

What is lithium orotate good for?

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. Clinically, patients will experience symptoms such as memory impairment, amnesia, and executive dysfunction. The main cause of this disease has not yet been discovered. Among them, Alzheimer’s disease is also called Alzheimer’s disease. Most patients develop the disease before the age of 65. This is a group of heterogeneous diseases that are caused by a variety of factors. Moreover, most patients develop the disease after the age of 50. The disease is relatively insidious and develops slowly when the disease first develops. In the earliest symptoms, there will be worsening forgetfulness.

In the early stage, the patient’s memory ability will slowly decline, for example, he will soon forget what he just said or what he did, and the patient’s thinking analysis ability and judgment ability will also decline, but at the same time, some things he has learned before will also decline. The patient will still have memories of the job or skill. After the disease worsens, the patient’s first-stage symptoms will be obvious visual-spatial cognitive impairment, and it will be difficult to get dressed.

Specifically, lithium use was associated with a 44% lower risk of dementia, a 45% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and a 64% lower risk of vascular dementia (VD).

This means that lithium salts may become a potential preventive method for dementia such as AD.

Dementia refers to severe and persistent cognitive impairment. Clinically, it is characterized by slow-onset mental decline, accompanied by varying degrees of personality changes, but no impairment of consciousness. It is a group of clinical syndromes rather than an independent disease. There are many causes of dementia, but most dementia is often caused by brain damage or brain lesions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, etc.

The neuroprotective effect of lithium salts

Review of lithium effects on brain and blood (Review of lithium effects on brain and blood) This review states: “In animals, lithium upregulates neurotrophins, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor, nerve Trophin 3 (NT3), and receptors for these growth factors in the brain.

Lithium also stimulates the proliferation of stem cells, including bone marrow and neural stem cells in the subventricular zone, striatum, and forebrain. Stimulation of endogenous neural stem cells may explain why lithium increases brain cell density and volume in patients with bipolar disorder. “

In addition to the above effects, lithium can also improve the body’s immune function, regulate central nervous system activity, exert sedation, tranquility, neuroprotection, and control neurological disorders. Two meta-analyses and a randomized controlled trial have opened new doors in anti-dementia treatments, showing that lithium has a positive impact on cognitive performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD.

Who should not take lithium orotate?

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid taking lithium orotate. The use of lithium orotate during pregnancy and lactation has not been extensively studied, and there is limited information available on its safety for these populations. It is important for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to consult with their healthcare provider before using any supplements, including lithium orotate, to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby.

Individuals with Kidney Disease

Lithium is primarily excreted through the kidneys, and individuals with kidney disease may be at an increased risk of lithium accumulation in the body. This can lead to lithium toxicity, which can be potentially life-threatening. Therefore, individuals with kidney disease should avoid taking lithium orotate unless under the close supervision of a healthcare provider who can monitor their kidney function and adjust the dosage accordingly.

People with Heart Conditions

Lithium orotate has been reported to have potential effects on the cardiovascular system, including changes in heart rate and rhythm. Individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, such as arrhythmias or heart disease, should exercise caution when considering the use of lithium orotate. Individuals with heart conditions need to consult with a healthcare provider before using lithium orotate to assess the potential risks and benefits based on their specific medical history.

Children and Adolescents

The safety and efficacy of lithium orotate in children and adolescents have not been well-established. As a result, it is generally recommended that individuals under the age of 18 avoid using lithium orotate unless under the guidance of a healthcare provider who can assess the appropriateness of its use in specific cases. Children and adolescents have unique physiological and developmental considerations that need to be taken into account when considering the use of any supplement, including lithium orotate.

Individuals with Thyroid Disorders

Lithium has been known to interfere with thyroid function, and individuals with thyroid disorders, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, should use caution when considering the use of lithium orotate. The effects of lithium on thyroid function can vary from person to person, and individuals with thyroid disorders need to work closely with their healthcare provider to monitor their thyroid function if they are considering the use of lithium orotate.

How to Supplement Lithium

Therefore, it can be seen from the above discussion that lithium salt has a protective effect on nerve cells both in vivo and in vitro. It can calm and stabilize emotions, control neurological disorders, and can be used to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, cerebral ischemia, etc. Cerebrovascular disease. At the same time, it can also improve hematopoietic function and enhance human immune function.

Lithium is a natural element found in nature, mainly derived from grains and vegetables. In addition, drinking water in some areas has higher lithium content, which can also provide additional lithium intake.

In addition to getting a small amount of lithium in your daily diet, you can also get it in supplements.

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