Lithium, known for its use in psychiatric treatments, is also a naturally occurring element found in food, water, and the environment. Recent research suggests it may act as a beneficial trace element, with neuroprotective effects and potential mental health benefits , provided it is consumed in safe and balanced amounts as part of a balanced diet.
A brief history of lithium and its uses
Since the mid-20th century, lithium carbonate has been widely used in the treatment of bipolar disorder (BD), especially in cases of acute mania. Beyond its therapeutic use, lithium occurs naturally in the environment and can be found in drinking water, vegetables, grains, and other natural or human-made sources.
Cereals and vegetables
The lithium content in plants varies depending on the crop and soil conditions. Cereals and vegetables can accumulate up to 4.6 µg/g of lithium, with cilantro, tomatoes, garlic, nutmeg, and cumin seeds being particularly rich sources . In contrast, foods such as onions, green chili peppers, cauliflower, rice, mushrooms, and wheat have much lower concentrations.
It is estimated that between 66% and 90% of dietary lithium comes from cereals and vegetables , while drinking water and animal-based foods provide the rest.
Therefore, vegetarians or vegans, whose diet is mainly based on plant products, tend to ingest more lithium naturally than those who also consume animal protein.
Drinking water and other beverages
The amount of lithium a person consumes daily through their diet can vary considerably depending on geographical location. In Europe, lithium intake is generally very low , while in regions such as northern Chile and Argentina, higher concentrations have been recorded, in some cases exceeding 1000 µg/L in drinking water.
The water source also influences lithium levels: seawater contains between 140 and 200 µg/L, while surface waters typically have much lower values, between 1 and 10 µg/L. These differences are due to both natural factors, such as the geological composition of the soil, and human activity, especially contamination from lithium-rich brines from the battery industry.
Because of these variations, lithium is listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Candidate Contaminant List (CCL) , which has prompted more comprehensive data collection and research to assess potential future regulation.
A recent study, which analyzed more than 1,000 food and beverage samples, concluded that the estimated lithium intake is well below the subchronic and chronic reference levels provisionally established by the EPA. This indicates that the amounts of lithium present in food and beverages are safe for human consumption . However, certain groups, such as pregnant women or people with chronic illnesses (e.g., psoriasis), may be at increased risk of sensitivity or toxicity, so medical caution is advised in these cases.
Fruit
Citrus fruits—such as lemons, limes, clementines, and grapefruits —contain detectable amounts of lithium, with concentrations in the range of µg/g of dry weight, meaning very low but measurable levels. In addition, dietary lithium can also be obtained through the consumption of grapes, apples, and bananas , which provide small but significant amounts of this mineral as part of a balanced diet.
Nuts, seeds and legumes
Nuts are notable for their naturally high lithium content . Concentrations of 1.09 µg/g have been estimated in cashews and 3.12 µg/g in walnuts, making them important sources of dietary lithium. Sunflower seeds , hazelnuts , and pine nuts also provide appreciable amounts of this mineral, contributing significantly to total dietary lithium intake.
Animal products
Although animal products contain lower concentrations of lithium than plant-based foods, various meats and fish have detectable levels ranging from 0.012 to 0.06 µg/g. However, a 2021 study in Iran found significantly higher levels, between 38.4 and 39.7 µg/g, in two brands of canned tuna. These values are striking, but should be interpreted with caution, comparing them to provisional references rather than official EPA thresholds.
Neurological effects of trace lithium
Low doses of lithium or increased dietary intake of this mineral may have normothymic (mood-stabilizing) effects. This is due to several biological mechanisms, including the inhibition of enzymes such as glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β), which regulates intracellular processes, and the modulation of neurotransmitter synthesis and release. These effects suggest that endogenous lithium, naturally present in the body, may play an important role in neurological balance.
Does lithium orotate help with dementia?
Arecent study published in Nature found significantly lower levels of lithium in the brains of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. In animal models, this lithium deficiency led to increased deposition of β-amyloid plaques, accumulation of phosphotau proteins, loss of synapses and myelin, and increased brain inflammation. Furthermore, lithium was observed to accumulate in amyloid plaques, reducing its bioavailability. In these models, lithium orotate therapy prevented this brain damage, reinforcing its neuroprotective potential.
Lithium can also increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampal neurons, a key molecule for neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, processes that protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's , as well as mood disorders such as depression and anxiety .
Furthermore, lithium has insulin-mimetic effects, meaning it can improve glucose metabolism and reduce the risk of neurocognitive disorders associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Since insulin resistance and poor glucose control are common features of Alzheimer's disease, this mechanism could be another way in which lithium helps protect the brain from neurodegeneration .
What we still don't know about lithium and its safety
The potential health benefits of lithium, along with observations suggesting that its deficiency may increase impulsivity, nervousness, or instability. emotional, have led researchers to question whether the Lithium supplementation or nutritional enrichment of food could improve health outcomes.
Although lithium is not yet officially recognized as an essential micronutrient, many researchers recommend a provisional daily intake of about 1000 µg (1 mg) for a 70 kg adult . Other experts go further and propose that lithium be considered an essential trace element, given the evidence of its anti-suicidal and neuroprotective effects , even in microdoses .
In comparison, therapeutic doses used to treat bipolar disorder typically range from 600 to 1200 mg per day , up to 1000 times higher than the body's natural lithium levels. Even so, the effects of prolonged use of low-dose lithium are still being studied, and further research is underway to better understand its safety, metabolism, and potential long-term benefits .
References:
- Szkarska, D. and Rzymski, P. (2018). Is lithium a micronutrient? From biological activity and epidemiological observation to food fortification .
- Iordache, AM, Voica, C., Roba, C. and Nechita, C. (2024). Lithium content and its nutritional benefits, dietary intake and impact on human health in Romanian market foods .
- Hamstra, SI, Roy, BD, Tiidus, P., et al. (2023). Beyond its psychiatric use: The benefits of low-dose lithium supplementation .
- Gonzalez-Weller, D., Rubio, C., Gutierrez, AJ, et al. (2013). Dietary intake of barium, bismuth, chromium, lithium and strontium in a Spanish population (Canary Islands, Spain).
