Lithium is a naturally occurring alkali metal with a range of medicinal uses, particularly known for its mood-stabilizing effects in treating bipolar disorder and other mood and affective disorders¹².

Primary Uses and Benefits of Lithium Supplements

1. Mood Stabilization:

   • Lithium is widely used to manage bipolar disorder, stabilizing mood swings and reducing the risk of manic and depressive episodes¹.

2. Neurological Benefits:

   • At therapeutic doses, lithium influences brain biochemistry by competing with other electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and calcium. It regulates neurotransmitter release (e.g., dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin) and affects signaling cascades, which can reduce neuroexcitability and suicidal ideation².

3. Potential for Broader Health Benefits:

   • Although conventionally used at higher doses, low-dose lithium supplementation (≤0.5 mM) might benefit cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, metabolic, and cognitive functions².
   • Research indicates possible benefits in aging and age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, obesity, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic low-grade inflammation².

4. Life Extension:

   • Studies suggest that lithium supplementation can extend lifespan in various animal models and is correlated with increased longevity in humans³.
   • Observational studies in large cohorts, like the UK Biobank, have linked therapeutic lithium use with decreased mortality among individuals with affective disorders³.

It’s crucial to note that lithium requires careful dosing and monitoring due to its narrow therapeutic window and potential side effects at higher concentrations². Lower doses appear promising for broader health applications, but more research and clinical oversight are necessary to fully understand and safely harness these benefits.

Footnotes

1. Sophie I Hamstra, "Beyond its Psychiatric Use: The Benefits of Low-dose Lithium Supplementation," PubMed Central, 2023. ↩ ↩²

2. Elisa Araldi, "Lithium treatment extends human lifespan: findings from the UK Biobank," PubMed Central, 2023. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

3. Sophie I. Hamstra, "Beyond its Psychiatric Use: The Benefits of Low-dose Lithium Supplementation," PubMed Central, 2023. ↩ ↩²