Lithium Orotate

Lithium orotate has proved useful for the treatment of Alcoholism, Depression (bipolar and unipolar) and for those with Schizophrenia. Recently lithium has also been useful for the treatment of ADHD symptoms in adults. The forms of lithium that are prescribed most often are lithium carbonate and lithium citrate. Both these forms are approved as prescription medications. Lithium is a naturally occurring mineral similar to sodium and potassium, and small amounts are present in most foods.

Lithium orotate is a highly bio-available form of lithium, and administered at much lower dosage’s than the prescription forms, and without side effects.  Dr. Hans Nieper, the Father of orotates, stressed in his writings that the primary function of lithium is to restore the electrical membrane. This is achieved by using the potential of removing the excess sodium from the inside of the cells. In the orotate form, he was able to obtain results using small dosages, about 7% of the carbonate form, to successfully treat Manic Depression, Migraine Headaches, Juvenile Epilepsy, and Alcoholism. Using calcium and lithium orotate together, Dr. Nieper obtained significant results in Chronic Hepatitis and Liver Cirrhosis. He reported that 5 mg of lithium orotate is closely equivalent to 100 mg of the carbonate form.

In 1998 a break-through discovery was reported by researchers from the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. They discovered that neurons (from rat brains) that were treated with lithium for six to seven days were completely protected from glutamate toxicity. It seems that the lithium attached itself to the receptors where the glutamate normally docks. This prevented the hyperactivity and resultant overload of calcium into the cell.

Bipolar disorder,  in which patients swing between deep depression and manic highs — is one of the most common mental problems in the United States, affecting 1.3% to 1.5% of the population. As many as one in every five bipolar patients attempt suicide at some time in their lives, researchers discovered that lithium smoothed the mood swings in as many as two-thirds of the patients. Lithium is one of the most important supplements for mental problems of any sort. Since lithium could not be patented, pharmaceutical companies produced generic forms early in 1990s, and today’s annual sales of this drug are in the billions. But the fact is lithium is not a drug, it is actually a mineral.

Lithium and Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer disease is affecting hundred’s of thousands of people per year, and until now there has been no known cure. But in Europe a new discovery has been found to help deal with this dreaded disease, and released under the names Memantine. This drug helps to protect brain cells from the damage caused by glutamate. But this same action is also produced by taking lithium, for it also protects against glutamate-induced nerve cell damage. So it may be possible to treat Alzheimer’s with lithium instead of the patented prescription drug. Lithium will not be promoted like the drug form, since many dollars are in play once a product is patented. But, it will probably work as well in slowing the progress of Alzheimer's disease and without the side effects, if taken in the orotate form. Alzheimer’s is also related to toxic metals such as lead and aluminum, and since lithium acts as a chelator it will help rid these toxins from your gray matter.

Prevention and Anti-Aging
As previously stated, smaller dosages work well with lithium in orotate form, and are as effective as higher dosages of the lithium carbonate prescription form. And this is without the side effects! Dosages of 5 to 20 milligrams are being recommended by physicians on a daily basis. Used not only for treating a condition, but recommended for prevention of disease’s. And also for the many anti-aging health benefits that it provides, but this treatment should only be taken under the guidance of your health care professional.