Lithium orotate is an over-the-counter nutraceutical that consists of orotic acid (a compound produced naturally in the body) and lithium (an alkali metal). Lithium is present in the diet, mainly in grains and vegetables, which is why the supplement is often called “nutritional lithium.”
Does lithium orotate really work?
Lithium orotate intervention demonstrated
benefit in treating alcoholism
, and was also associated with improvements in migraines and depression. Sartori 1986 Other studies show lithium orotate may reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks and improve depression associated with bipolar disorder.
What is lithium orotate used for?
In addition, lithium orotate is used
to reduce stress, relieve pain, and improve memory
. It’s important to note that there is currently a lack of scientific support for lithium orotate’s effectiveness as an alternative to lithium. Research on the health effects of lithium orotate is very limited.
Can lithium orotate treat bipolar?
Therefore, lithium orotate
can be used in much lower doses
(e.g. 5 mg) with remarkable results and no side effects [49,50]. Clinical trials involving 150 mg daily doses of lithium orotate administered 4 to 5 times a week, showed a reduction of manic and depressive symptoms in bipolar patients [50].
What is the difference between lithium and lithium orotate?
Lithium orotate: is a salt with orotate, a naturally-occurring substance in the body. Patients taking lithium orotate experience
far fewer side-effects compared to lithium medication
. This may simply be because lithium orotate is prescribed at much lower doses than the medication.
Is Lithium Orotate good for anxiety?
Lithium orotate has been used as a
mood stabilizer
for many years, and can be highly effective in treating mood swings, anger and aggression, attention deficit disorder, depression and anxiety.
Why is lithium orotate banned in Canada?
Products containing lithium orotate—a salt of a mineral that has been used to treat psychiatric disorders—have been the subject of two Health Canada warnings this year. … The SmartBrain Formulations product also contained tryptophan, which is another ingredient of concern for Health Canada.
Can Lithium Orotate cause weight gain?
“
Lithium Orotate will not cause weight gain
, nor will it cause sedation or sleepiness.” -Ward Dean, M.D. Lithium orotate therapy was seen as relatively safe, with minor adverse side effects seen in some patients (muscle weakness, appetite loss, mild apathy).
How long does lithium orotate take to work?
It can take
4-6 weeks
to really kick in, so try taking one pill a day during that time (5mg elemental lithium). Then if you still feel that’s not enough, increase it to 2 lithium orotate pills once a day (10mg of elemental lithium total) with the B12 and give it another 4-6 weeks.
Does lithium orotate help you sleep?
However, the mineral lithium (Lithium orotate) is a natural, side effect-free alternative which is
very useful for helping to re-regulate circadian rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle
. Recommended dose can range from 15-150 mg a day for severe depression.
How much lithium orotate can I take?
When treating these illnesses, dosages of lithium can reach
1,800mg daily
. The supplement lithium orotate, however, contains much smaller quantities of lithium than the prescription form, generally ranging from 5mg to 10mg daily and in some cases, up to 20mg daily.
Should you take lithium in the morning or at night?
When to take lithium
Take your lithium each night at the same time
. You need to take it at night because blood tests need to be done during the day, 12 hours after a dose (see Section 4 ‘Blood tests after starting to take lithium’).
Does lithium improve memory?
Chronic lithium has been
shown to enhance spatial working memory
and to promote long-term retention of a weak aversive contingency (Tsaltas et al. 2007a, b). It has also been shown to promote learning in three different spatial cognitive tasks involving positive reinforcement (Nocjar et al. 2007).
What are the symptoms of lithium deficiency?
(2) Low levels of lithium have been associated with a number of disorders associated with the central nervous system (CNS), including depression,
impulse control disorder, mood disorders, violent behavior, drug dependency, reduced fertility, and learning disorders
.
Does lithium orotate cross the blood brain barrier?
Dietrich Klinghardt says lithium orotate protects the central nervous system from neurotoxin damage and he recommends it for Lyme disease patients. Because lithium orortate is a naturally occurring trace mineral, and
is able to cross the blood-brain barrier
, a low dose of 10mg to 20mg is considered safe and effective.
What does taking lithium feel like?
The most common side effects of lithium are feeling or being
sick, diarrhoea, a dry mouth and a metallic taste in the mouth
. Your doctor will carry out regular blood tests to check how much lithium is in your blood. The results will be recorded in your lithium record book.
