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What is Lithium Orotate? Is It Safe?: Everything You Should Know
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Charles Penick, MD
What is Lithium Orotate? Is It Safe?
Lithium orotate has many health benefits. In this article, we will discuss what lithium orotate is, its uses & side effects.
How Does Lithium Orotate Work?
What is Lithium Orotate?
Lithium orotate is a substance that contains orotic acid and lithium. Orotic acid is produced naturally in the body, and lithium is an alkali metal. Lithium orotate is a natural treatment for stress, pain, improving memory, and various mental health problems. Lithium Orotic is a dietary supplement found in capsules or drops.
How Does Lithium Orotate Work?
Lithium orotate transfers lithium out of the bloodstream and moves it to the brain. It may work similarly as medically prescribed lithium, minus the toxicity. It also helps increase the absorption of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which help people remain calm during stressful times. Studies on lithium orotate have discovered the following:
- Lithium orotate can cross the blood-brain barrier easier than the prescribed lithium carbonate. It can be used in lower doses than its prescribed counterpart and has no side effects. [1]
- Lithium can promote autophagy, which is the body’s ability to naturally destroy sick and diseased cells. Preliminary studies indicate this may help in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases, like Huntington's disease. [2]
5 Benefits Lithium Orotate
Lithium orotate has many uses and benefits. Here are the most popular uses for Lithium Oronate.
Decrease Inflammation
Chronic inflammation can cause damage to various parts of the body, including the heart, brain, and joints. Inflammation plays a role in bipolar disorder, a mental illness associated with extreme mood swings. Lithium orotate is regarded as an effective medication for treating bipolar disorder due to its suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 expression, inhibition of interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α production. Each is a potential cause of inflammatory reactions in the body. [3]
Anxiety & Depression Management
>According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the U.S. annually. Common symptoms include anger, unhappiness, irritability, difficulty focusing, and isolation. A study comparing the long-term use of lithium orotate versus antidepressants found both prevented relapses. [4] (Lithium orotate is a natural product that doesn’t have the side effects of antidepressants).
Improve Brain Health
Lithium orotate has several brain health benefits, including helping the brain adapt to stress, protecting the brain, and boosting gray matter. Gray matter controls the emotions, senses, speech, memory, and impulses in the brain. In addition, lithium may be “beneficial in animal models of brain injury, stroke, Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal cord injury, and other conditions.” [5]
Treating Migraines
Migraines are intense, throbbing headaches typically affecting one side of the head. They can cause blurred vision, vomiting, nausea, or extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Lithium orotate has been used to treat both migraines and cluster headaches. Researchers have discovered that many individuals who have bipolar disorder also have migraines. [6] The treatment of bipolar disorders may help with treating migraines as well. Lthium may be effective in both chronic and episodic forms of Cluster Headaches. [7]
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that stems from a traumatic or terrifying event. PTSD can occur from either witnessing a painful event or experiencing it firsthand. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, avoidance, distressing thoughts, nightmares, and severe anxiety. Lithium orotate has been used to treat veterans with PTSD who suffered from irritability or angry outbursts. [8]
Lithium Orotate Side Effects
Little research has been conducted on lithium orotate supplements. While suggested serving sizes and amounts are considered safe, chronic use (repeatedly and routinely) of lithium orotate could cause nausea, tremors, cardiac arrhythmias, and neurological problems. In addition, severe toxicity could cause kidney failure, low blood pressure, confusion, or death.
Before taking lithium orotate, consult with a physician. Talk to your doctor if you’re taking antidepressants, dextromethorphan, loop diuretics, meperidine, methyldopa, anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
How to Buy Lithium Orotate
Lithium orotate can be purchased in capsule form or consumed via drops. Order your Lithium orotate from Revelation Health HERE.
Final Thoughts
Lithium orotate has been used as a natural supplement to treat various health issues, including inflammation, bipolar disorder, migraines, and PTSD. Lithium orotate is considered a viable replacement for prescribed lithium, minus the various side effects. While lithium orotate is proving to be safe, consult with a doctor before taking it, especially if taking other medications.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is based upon the opinions of Revelation Health. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Revelation Health and associates. This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Charles Penick, MD for accuracy of the information provided, but Revelation Health encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
References:
[1] Shaheen E Lakhan and Karen F Vieira. Nutritional Therapies For Mental Disorders. Nutr J. 2008; 7: 2. Published online 2008 Jan 21. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-7-2. [PMCID: PMC2248201]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2248201/
[2] Sovan Sarkar 1, R Andres Floto, Zdenek Berger, (et al). Lithium Induces Autophagy By Inhibiting Inositol Monophosphatase. J Cell Biol. 2005 Sep 26;170(7):1101-11. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200504035. [PMID: 16186256]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16186256/
[3] Ahmad Nassar, Abed N Azab. Effects Of Lithium On Inflammation. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2014 Jun 18;5(6):451-8. doi: 10.1021/cn500038f. Epub 2014 May 6. [PMID: 24803181]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24803181/
[4] A Cipriani 1, K Smith, S Burgess, (et al). Lithium Versus Antidepressants In The Long-Term Treatment Of Unipolar Affective Disorder. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Oct 18;2006(4):CD003492. [PMID: 17054174]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17054174/
[5] Wise Young. Review Of Lithium Effects On Brain And Blood. Cell Transplant. 2009;18(9):951-75. doi: 10.3727/096368909X471251. [PMID: 19523343]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19523343/
[6] Raphael J Leo, Joshna Singh. Migraine Headache And Bipolar Disorder Comorbidity: A Systematic Review Of The Literature And Clinical Implications. Scand J Pain. 2016 Apr;11:136-145. doi: 10.1016/j.sjpain.2015.12.002. Epub 2016 Feb 23. [PMID: 28850455]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28850455/
[7] M.B. Abdel-Maksoud, A. Nasr MBChB. Lithium Treatment In Cluster Headache: Review Of Literature. Eur. J. Psychiat. vol.23 no.1 Zaragoza ene./mar. 2009. https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0213-61632009000100006
[8] P L Forster 1, F B Schoenfeld, C R Marmar (et al). Lithium For Irritability In Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Trauma Stress. 1995 Jan;8(1):143-9. doi: 10.1007/BF02105412. [PMID: 7712052]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7712052/