Lithium Orotate

Introduction

Lithium Orotate is a simple chemical salt, which is very similar to lithium cirate or lithium carbonate. It is a salt compound of lithium and orotic acid and is currently marketed as a dietary supplement.

Lithium orotate is one of the most popular supplements because it has a high rate of bioavailability and readily crosses the blood-brain barrier. The bioavailability of a substance is the rate at which a substance (drug or otherwise) is absorbed by an organ in the body that is its intended target.

When consumed in small dosages, the user can gain therapeutic effects of the drug and entirely avoid the regular side effects of lithium consumption. By the consumption of lithium orotate in small amounts, the symptoms of mania, anxiety, and depression can be addressed without slowed thought process, or stress on kidneys or weight gain.

How does the drug work?

Medications provided to patients suffering from bipolar disorder usually contain Lithium. Lithium counteracts the usual symptoms of bipolar disorder like moodiness, mania, anxiety, depression, etc.

Doctors have hypothesized that lithium works on the body by reducing all the unusual activities taking place in the brain. It stabilizes the membrane surrounding the cells in the brain.

These cell membranes have a strong influence on the release of chemical signals responsible for the communication between nerve cells (neurotransmitters). If the surface of a cell is overexcited, there is a quicker and haphazard release of neurotransmitters in the brain. Lithium makes the surface of these cells a little less reactive, stabilizing the cell membranes and regulating the release of the neurotransmitters.

The orotic acid present in lithium orotate is said to increase the bioavailability of lithium, making it more readily absorbable in the body. Due to this, smaller dosages have a larger impact on the body. Less lithium consumption means that there is a reduction in the side effects that are usually experienced by patients who consume it.  

Benefits of the drug

Lithium Orotate has a lot of positive effects on the human body. Here is a list of advantages you can reap by consuming this drug:

• Protection of the brain: A lot of studies have shown that the consumption of lithium orotate supports the gray matter nerve cells in the brain.
• Anti-aging effect: The consumption of lithium orotate in small amounts has shown to have a minor anti-aging effect on the brain which, in turn, helps in memory upkeep.
• Protection of the brain neurons from toxins: There are a lot of toxins that enter our body through oral or nasal means. These toxins can have a catastrophic effect on the brain. Consumption of lithium orotate not only protects the gray matter from these toxins but also the entire nervous system.
• Stimulates the cell membranes, resulting in normal brain activity. This normalizes mood by regulating the mental balance of the brain. It acts as a mood stabilizer, counteracting the effects of bipolar disorder.
• It aids in dispelling suicidal thoughts in the mind, as it stabilizes the mood and also acts upon depression.
• Studies have shown that the usage of this drug also aids in alleviating pains associated with migraines and other diseases.
• Increases the count of white blood cells present in the body, leading to a boost in immunity. Works especially well on patients diagnosed with autoimmune diseases.
• The consumption of this drug also works on pain, usually associated with cluster headaches and the symptoms related to alcoholism.
• Keeps the liver healthy.
• Encourages the general health of the body.
• Supports good eyesight.
• Promotes the production of thyroid in the body and balances the thyroid levels in the body.
• It is also said to reduce stress levels, improve memory retention and also relieve all kinds of pain in the body.

Side Effects of the Drug

Lithium orotate is considered to be one of the safest commonly available lithium-based compounds. Despite that, it has its set of side effects. Here is a list of side effects that you may suffer from when you consume the drug:

Side effects of short-term use of the drug include, but are not limited to:

• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Feeling confused
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Weakness

Long-term use side effects include, but are not restricted to:

• Increase in weight
• Retention of fluids
• Bloating
• Tremor of hands
• Appetite loss
• Digestion related issues
• Extreme thirst
• Unusual increase in the frequency of urination
• Deterioration of existing skin related issues like Psoriasis and acne

An extremely high consumption of the compound may result in:

• Extreme sleepiness
• Constant ringing sound in the ears
• Vision related issues

Despite having a rather long list of side effects, the research carried out by the Global Healing Center has shown that the usual side effects of the consumption of lithium orotate reduce with passing time.

It is advisable for pregnant women and lactating mothers not to consume the drug as there is no research to prove its safety.  

Dosage

It is advisable that lithium orotate is consumed only on the advice of a doctor or a health practitioner as larger doses of the drug can have a catastrophic effect on the body. The most commonly prescribed dosage is about 5 mg per day, though experiments have shown that up to 20 mg of the drug can be consumed without any major side effects on the body.

It is advisable that you do not consume lithium orotate if you suffer from any cardiovascular disease, kidney disease or any thyroid disorder; dehydration or exhaustion; or if you are nursing an infant or are pregnant.

Legal Status

Lithium orotate is considered to be a supplement and the United States Food And Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t consider it as a “drug” that treats or has an impact on any medical condition or disorder. It is readily available Over The Counter (OTC), without any prescription.

You can also order the supplement online, but be sure that you order from a credible source.