Definition of Natural Mineral Lithium Orotate
Lithium (Li) is an alkali metal in the same family as potassium and sodium. It has been alloyed with other elements, such as sulphuric acid, sodium carbonate and orotic acid to make medications used in the treatment of many mental conditions such as bipolar disorder and ADD.
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Definition
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Lithium orotate is lithium salt synthesized with orotic acid (vitamin B13).
Function
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Lithium orotate stabilizes lysosomal membranes in the human body. Unlike other lithium salts, lithium orotate prevents enzyme reactions that cause sodium depletion and dehydration.
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Benefits
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Dr. Ward Dean, medical editor of Vitamin Research News and director of Research and Development for Vitamin Research Products, claims that lithium orotate is effective against depression, stress-related conditions and other mental ailments. He also claims that it has anti-aging effects on the brain and that it increases the development of gray matter (brain cells).
Dosage
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Because lithium orotate has greater bioavailability than other lithium salts, a smaller dosage is required to achieve a therapeutic effect. This greatly decreases the chance of overdose.
Availability
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Lithium orotate is sold as a dietary supplement and is available without a prescription.
Warning
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Although encouraging studies have been published in mainstream medical journals such as the British Journal of Psychiatry, their findings are controversial. Dr. Allan Young, the director of the Center of Mental Health at the University of British Columbia, speaks for the consensus saying that more testing is needed.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Kevin Dooley
