5 Benefits of Lithium for Brain Health
As an essential mineral, lithium plays a crucial role in supporting brain health. Its benefits are well-documented and include protecting the brain, boosting gray matter, and helping the brain adapt to stress.
Offers Neuroprotective Benefits
Lithium is known for its neuroprotective properties, meaning it safeguards nerve cells (neurons) from damage. This protection not only prevents the breakdown of cells in the central nervous system, including the brain, but it also aids in nerve cell regeneration and recovery. Studies have shown that lithium not only shields brain cells from harm but also promotes their regeneration. This means that neurons can repair themselves and grow even under stress, rather than deteriorate.
Promotes a Healthy Response to Daily Stress
Stress is a common part of life, but regular daily stress can negatively impact your health and well-being. Lithium is an effective tool in managing these ups and downs, promoting your body’s ability to heal itself. When you’re stressed, your body produces more stress hormones and increases the production of free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage healthy cells. This damage, known as oxidative stress, can lead to lifestyle-related diseases and premature aging over time. Lithium’s antioxidant properties help counteract these free radicals, protecting both your body and brain.
Increases Gray & White Matter
Gray matter in your brain is responsible for storing memories, aiding decision-making, and perceiving the five senses (taste, smell, sight, touch, and hearing). White matter, on the other hand, forms the deeper parts of the brain and regulates the transmission of impulses throughout the brain and central nervous system. Lithium’s ability to increase both gray and white matter enhances thinking skills, focus, and memory. Research indicates that lithium can boost gray and white matter, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with emotion, thought, and personality. While some studies suggest that this increase might be due to brain hydration rather than actual growth, many studies support the idea that lithium promotes the differentiation of stem cells into neurons. This increase in brain matter can sharpen cognitive abilities, improve mood management, and enhance focus and memory.
Rejuvenates Nerves
Each nerve cell is coated with a myelin sheath, a substance made primarily of fat and protein. Myelin acts as a protective coating for your brain’s wiring, ensuring that brain cells function properly by insulating them and directing nerve impulses. Myelin helps you stay focused, respond quickly, and perform other important tasks. When nerves are damaged, they may lose some myelin. Studies suggest that lithium can help add more myelin around nerve cells, a process known as remyelination. This is your body’s way of repairing damage to neurons within the brain and central nervous system. In one study, scientists found that lithium helped mice with nerve issues affecting their facial muscles by promoting myelin gene expression, leading to the recovery of their ability to move their whiskers. This supports the idea that lithium aids in normal nerve cell repair and growth through remyelination.
Improves Mood & Focus
Decades of research have shown that lithium has powerful mood-stabilizing properties, even in very low amounts. One small study found that individuals given micro-servings of lithium over four weeks reported improved mood in areas related to happiness, friendliness, and energy. The scientists concluded that low lithium levels have mood-stabilizing and mood-improving effects. Remarkably, multiple studies have found that in areas where drinking water contains higher trace levels of lithium, people tend to live more peacefully. These studies were conducted in both Japan and the United States.
Sources of Lithium
Experts increasingly recognize lithium’s importance to human health. The World Health Organization has added it to the list of nutritionally essential trace elements, along with zinc, iodine, and others. Here are some sources of this vital nutrient:
Foods
You can find small amounts of lithium in many foods, but legumes, vegetables, and other plant-derived foods contain the most. Some good sources include lentils, garbanzo beans, green peas, tomatoes, mushrooms, cauliflower, cabbage, pistachios, brown rice, and coffee. Depending on where you live, your drinking water may also contain traces of lithium.
Supplements
Many experts consider lithium an essential nutrient with a provisional recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 1 mg for an adult weighing 70 kg (154 pounds). Slightly higher servings may help manage daily stress and balance mood. Supplements are the easiest way to incorporate lithium into your diet. Lithium orotate, which is lithium combined with orotic acid, is the ideal supplement form because its small size enables it to penetrate cell membranes. Since your body naturally produces orotic acid, this carrier molecule is readily broken down and processed without side effects at low amounts. However, taking multiple orotate supplements can lead to excessive orotic acid, which may cause health concerns. Animal safety studies suggest that 50 to 100 mg/kg of orotic acid body weight is safe.
Are There Side Effects?
In small servings, lithium side effects are virtually non-existent. According to a comprehensive review by Dr. Timothy Marshall, the mechanism of action for low-serving lithium is quite different from that when taken in higher amounts. Marshall states that the lithium orotate molecule is stable in the body and, once inside the cell, dissociates to release lithium to its action sites. He also notes that lithium’s safety is comparable to low amounts of zinc and other nutrients. However, in much larger amounts, lithium can have adverse effects on the kidneys and thyroid gland, causing excessive thirst, nausea, hand tremors, and loss of coordination.
Points to Remember
Lithium is a natural mineral with therapeutic effects on the human brain. It is best known for its mood-stabilizing and neuroprotective benefits. In addition to boosting brain health and balancing mood, lithium can improve focus, protect nerve cells, and help your body adapt to stress in a healthy way. It may also help prevent behaviors that lead to social isolation and unhappiness. While you can find traces of lithium in food and water, taking a lithium orotate supplement ensures you get the proper amount for optimal brain health. Global Healing’s Lithium Orotate is a naturally occurring, earth-sourced elemental mineral that supports healthy mood, brain health, emotional balance, and a healthy response to stress.
