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What is Lithium?

Lithium is an element found in nature, such as calcium or 
potassium. Lithium is a natural-occurring soft metal found in 
the layers of rock and soil on the earth. Scientists believe 
that lithium was one of the first elements in the universe, 
formed at the moment of the Big Bang.

Lithium is in fact everywhere. Lithium exists in our soil, in 
varying degrees around the world, and in our water supply. 
Our water absorbs lithium when it comes into contact with 
lithium-rich soil in river beds, streams and underground 
aquifers. Because our food is grown in soil and uses water 
to grow, lithium also occurs naturally in our food supply. 
Animal-based foods and plants vary in their ability to absorb 
and retain lithium.

Why Do We Need Lithium In Our Diets?

Lithium’s nutritional importance as a trace element has long 
been suspected by researchers.  Several research studies 
have confirmed that link between high levels of lithium in tap 
water and low incidences of  suicides, admissions to mental 
hospitals, murders and rapes. In  1971, a Texas biochemist 
named Dr. Earl Dawson noticed that the murder and suicide 
rates around El Paso were significantly lower than the rest of 
the state. After investigation, he discovered that the lower 
rates of suicide, murder and admissions to mental hospitals 
were linked to the high levels of lithium found in El Paso’s 
water supply.   

Other research studies from around the world reached 
similar results. A study from the University of Oita in Japan 
found that low lithium levels were associated with increases 
in rates of suicide and depression.  The researchers 
examined the natural lithium levels in the tap water of 18 
communities south of Japan. They then examined the suicide 
rates in the 18 communities.  They found that suicide rates 
were lowest in those areas with the highest concentrations 
of lithium in their tap water.  

Lithium was once used as a key ingredient in a soft drink 
invented in 1929 by Charles Leipe Grigg, an American from 
Price Branch, Missouri. He initially called his drink "Bib-Label 
Lithiated Lemon-Lime Sodas". He later changed the name to 
" 7 Up Lithiated Lemon-Lime" .

The “7” in the name comes from the number 7, which is the 
atomic mass of lithium. He called his drink 7-Up, presumably 
because of the mysterious ability of lithium to elevate the 
mood. Later, lithium was removed from the manufacturing 
process and “lithiated from the name of the soda, but the “7 
-Up” part of the name stuck.

Today, lithium is recommended as a treatment for several 
emotional and mental disorders, most notably bipolar 
disorder. 


Lithium May Help Alzheimer’s

Three research studies in 1999 and 2000 from Wayne State 
University of Medicine found that low levels of lithium used 
to treat manic depression were also effective in protecting 
the brain against 
Alzheimer’s disease. A key protein needed 
to protect the brain against Alzheimer’s is Bc1-2 (related to 
the B-cell lymphoma/ leukemia-2 gene). Lithium is the first 
substance found to increase the concentration of Bc1-2 in 
brains tissue.

Alzheimer’s is characterized by the existence of 
neurofibrillary “tangles” in the brain. These tangles are 
enabled by a destructive protein called glycogen synthase 
kinase 3b (GSK-3b). Lithium has been found to decrease the 
supply of destructive GSK-3b in brain tissue.

The Wayne State researchers also found that the gray matter 
of patients treated with lithium over time grew by 
approximately 3%, regenerating even after loss of brain cells 
due to injury or disease. 


Lithium-Rich Foods

Among plants, lithium is retained most easily in foods of the nightshade family of plants, which include tomatoes and cucumbers and mushrooms. Seaweed and kelp often contain high levels of lithium.

Food                          Lithium Content (micrograms per kg )

Eggs                               7373
Tomatoes                       6707
Mushrooms                    5788
Cucumbers                     5017
Red Cabbage                  3579
Cauliflower                     3462
Kohlrabi                         2966
Paprika                           2316
Marjoram                        2289
Asparagus                      2217
White Cabbage            1874
Cocoa                             1728
Potatoes                        1592
Apples                           1449
Rice                                1260
Cinnamon                     1046
Lentils                            748
Honey                             527
Bananas                         383
Red Wine                        329
White Wine                     305


Is Too Much Lithium Bad for Your Health?

Although many people around the world can benefit from 
increasing the amount of lithium in their diet, overexposure 
to lithium can adversely affect your health. One side effect of 
overexposure to lithium is that it negatively affects thyroid 
function. A 2011 study from a team of researchers led by Dr. 
Karin Broberg of Lund University in Sweden looked at the 
health of people living in the Andes mountain region of 
Argentina, known for some of the highest concentrations of 
lithium in drinking water in the world. The study discovered 
an abnormally high incidence of thyroid problems in women 
of the region.

Pregnant women need to be especially careful not to 
consume too much lithium. Several studies, including one 
conducted in 1990 at Monash Medical Center in Victoria 
Canada have discovered that pregnant women who take 
lithium supplements put their unborn babies at greater risk 
for developing jaundice and other conditions. 


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