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Lithium orotate
Is lithium orotate (LiOr) a natural miracle cure or just more Internet snake oil? Reliable information on LiOr is hard to find! My research suggests LiOr may be worth trying, but first check the facts. What is it?This is a simple chemical salt - just like lithium carbonate or lithium citrate.The big difference is in bioavailability. (Bioavailability is the degree to which, or the rate at which, a drug or other substance is absorbed or becomes available at the targeted place in the body.) LiOr has become a popular and successful supplement because it easily crosses the blood brain barrier. Supporters of LiOr based products argue that this makes it possible to get a therapeutic effect with a very small dose and therefore escape the risk of side effects. Various versions of LiOr are promoted heavily online and in health food stores and are often described as herbal lithium, natural lithium, or homeopathic lithium. The research
There are three other fascinating and very promising studies, but these were based on rats. One rat study found no difference between LiOr and conventional lithium carbonate. However, another rat study found greater uptake of LiOr compared to conventional lithium carbonate. This provided evidence that LiOr could be a very effective medication and why the low doses available in the LiOr products for sale on the Internet and in health food stores may be of benefit. The final rat study found very adverse impact on kidneys compared to conventional lithium carbonate. This led the researchers to conclude: It seems inadvisable to use lithium orotate for the treatment of patients. This is the study that has done most to damage the reputation of lithium orotate. But critics of this study point out that the amount of LiOr injected into the rats was relatively huge - the whole point being that only small doses are required to get the same benefits as with lithium carbonate, so there is no need to test using the same (large) amounts! Lithium orotate and anxiety disorderAlong with being bipolar, I suffer from crippling panic attacks. This panic has been a long standing problem for me - it feels like I am choking and often makes it impossible for me to eat because I become convinced that I cannot swallow.ANYTHING that claims to help with anxiety gets my attention! The reason I educated myself on this topic was because of the claims being made about the various products using this "natural" alternative and anxiety disorder. I agree with Dr Phelps that LiOr could be worth trying. My dilemma is that I already take lithium carbonate and I don't know how to take both without messing up my doses and lithium levels. I would love to hear that LiOr really does work, especially where anxiety is concerned. If you do have any experiences of lithium orotate, I hope you will use our contact Sarah form to get in touch. As you will see, there are mixed reviews from users of LiOr, available at third party sites. Articles in supportI recently found 3 articles that express positive views, although I present them with a caution. Although all 3 of these articles have been at least co-authored by medical doctors, there does appear to be a financial incentive involved in promoting LiOr. So with that in mind . . .
The Misunderstood Mineral Part 1
by Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. (Reprinted From Nutrition and Healing).
Bottom lineTaking LiOr in the recommended doses appears to be safe and side effect free. Some respected bipolar experts like Dr Phelps are cautiously supportive. Just make sure you stick with a well known and reputable brand. These products are not FDA regulated so you may not be getting a product that is pure or contains the stated amounts.
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