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minerals (nutrition)
lithium (Li)
Nutrition
definition
Lithium:
» metabolism:
Lithium is one of the most abundant elements in nature.
Plant and tissue concentrations appear to be low and it is estimated that less than 1 mg exists in total body stores.
Lithium tends to be stored in ovaries, thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands.
Its levels are maintained even if diet sources are low.
» function:
Goats and rats placed on low lithium diets were less fertile. The growth and survival rates of goats were also lower.
Lithium has profound pharmacologic effects on manic depressive psychosis or bipolar disorder.
It may effect the production or turnover of cAMP.
It may also activate glucocorticosteroid receptors (inhibiting the effects of glucocorticosteroids) which may simulate the symptoms of manic depression.
» requirements:
Estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake (ESADDI): Not yet determined
Average intake in the U.S.: 100 µg/day
This level is highly variable depending upon soil and water concentrations. Hard water is a significant source of lithium. Recent estimates, not including water sources, show an average intake of 10-25µg per day. Some hard water has as much as 80µg lithium per liter.
» food sources:
Best Sources of Lithium:
Food Amount mg
Yeast 1 Tbsp 8
Grains 1 cup 5
Leafy vegetables, cooked 1/2 cup 3-9
Liver, beef 3 oz 3
Seafood 3 oz 1-3
Legumesv 1/2 cup 1
(USDA: Composition of Foods. USDA Handbook #8 Washington DC, ARS, USDA, 1976-1986)
» deficiency:
Lithium deficiency is very rare. It may be related to a genetic defect.
Lithium concentration has been inversely related to atherosclerosis and, in some areas, homicides.
(Dawson, E.B., Moore, T.D., et al. Disease Nerv Syst 33:546, 1972.
» therapeutics:
Nutritional therapy: (dose range 5-10mg/day)
Depression: 5-10 mg/day elemental lithium has been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression in recovering alcoholics and their relatives who may have a genetic tendency toward depression.
Hypoglycemia: With hypoglycemia due to decreased gycogenolysis, especially with adrenal compensation. (Easley)
Idiopathic neutropenia and neutropenia induced by cancer chemotherapy. Lithium may also increase platelet and RBC counts.
Premenstrual syndrome (J. Wright)
Pharmacological therapy:
Alcohol recidivism
Hyperthyroidism
Asthma (J. Wright)
Gout (J. Wright)
Kidney stones (uric acid) (J. Wright)
Headaches, cluster acute attack
» dosage:
5-10 mg per day
» toxicity:
Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum levels.
Nutritionally therapeutic levels of 5-10 mg per day rarely produces toxicity.
Cardiovascular or renal disease is a significant problem with lithium.
Dehydration, sodium depletion and hypothyroidism may also be induced by lithium toxicity. These toxic effects may be alleviated with supplementation of essential fatty acids, either omega 3 or 6.
» contraindications:
Lithium should not be given in pregnancy or to lactating women
» interactions:
See Interactions section of Integrative Therapeutics Materia Medica for more details.
NSAIDS, diuretics and calcium channel blockers could cause problems.
footnotes
Dawson, E.B., Moore, TD., et al. Disease Nerv Syst 33:546, 1972.
Kirschmann and Dunne, p. 71
Marz, Russell. Medical Nutrition From Marz. Second Edition. Portland, OR. 1997