Lithium
Type
mineral
Dosage Summary
RDA is ~10-100 mcg from natural sources; therapeutic doses range from 1-5 mg elemental lithium. Best sources: mineral-rich water, whole grains, potatoes, seafood. Avoid high doses (20 mg+ elemental) without supervision.
Innate Stores
Forms
capsule, tablet, liquid, mineral water
Lithium is nature's "brain protector" and mood modulator - a trace mineral crucial for neurological resilience and mental clarity. While famous for psychiatric use at high doses, its subtle but vital role at trace levels has been stripped from modern diets through water filtration and soil depletion. It acts as a natural "chill pill," supporting neurogenesis via BDNF, protecting against excitotoxicity, and enhancing stress resilience. In recent times it was identified as a potent mitochondrial enhancer at low doses.
Beyond mood regulation through serotonin and dopamine balance, lithium plays a key role in detoxification - particularly in reducing aluminum uptake in the brain and protecting against modern stressors like non-native EMF exposure. Research suggests it may extend lifespan through reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, echoing patterns seen in regions with naturally lithium-rich water sources.
Key Functions
- Supports neurogenesis and brain protection via BDNF
- Guards against excitotoxicity and EMF stress
- Enhances mood stability and stress resilience
- Aids aluminum detoxification in the brain
- Promotes cellular longevity and neuroprotection
- Regulates serotonin and dopamine pathways
Best Natural Sources
- Mineral-rich spring water (10-100 mcg/day)
- Whole grains (oats, wheat)
- Potatoes and tomatoes
- Seafood (especially shrimp)
- Note: Content varies widely based on soil/water
Ancestral intake from water and food provided 10-100 mcg daily - our natural baseline that modern diets often miss. For therapeutic support, 1-5mg of elemental lithium (via 20-100mg lithium orotate) provides safe neurological benefits without approaching pharmaceutical doses (300-900mg+).
| Form | Bioavailability | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium Orotate | Highest | Optimal form for microdosing (1-5mg) |
| Natural Water | High | Ancestral baseline (10-100 mcg) |
| Food Sources | Variable | 1-50 mcg per serving (soil dependent) |
Important Notes
- Pair with magnesium and B vitamins for synergy
- Start low (1mg) and assess response
- Best taken with sunlight exposure
- Watch for deficiency signs: irritability, poor stress tolerance
- Avoid high doses (20mg+ elemental) without supervision
Note: Optimal dosage may vary based on individual factors like age, weight, health conditions, and goals. It's always best to start with a lower dose and gradually increase as needed.