Lithium—Natural Sources for Depression

Lithium is a trace mineral found in the earth’s crust (and I bet you thought it came in a little pill the doctor gives people!) The medical field refines this crust to produce lithium arginate. It is most often known for its use in manic-depressant syndromes, but did you know that it is also used for treating ADD, epilepsy, alcoholism, drug withdrawal, kidney stones and migraine headaches? Some research shows that it may also be effective in treating malignant lymphatic growths, arteriosclerosis and chronic hepatitis.  

Why is it that some people crave lemons while others don’t like the flavor.  One answer is that lemons are high in natural lithium.  Lithium is very grounding for the nervous system and the brain neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine. Other natural sources include mineral hot springs, mineral water, whole grains and seeds.  

Lithium was discovered in mineral water in 1817 by August Arfvedson in Sweden. Its use in mental illness dates back to 400 A.D.  When water in a town is low in lithium, the crime rate and drug abuse go up.  A study done by Dr. Gerhard Schrauzer, a chemistry professor at the University of California, San Diego recommended that adding lithium to the drinking water may curb the crime rate and suicide in some Texas counties. 

Lithium deficiencies are aggravated by high sugar consumption. No wonder we have so many children with ADD, ADHD, and anger problems in our schools these days.  One hundred years ago our average consumption of sugar was about ½ pound/person/year. The latest statistics show that we now ingest about ½ pound per day! Ugh. We really need to supplement with minerals if we are to get enough of them this day and age.  

Lithium is a good example of how we research and study and still don’t know where all the trace minerals fit into our lives. They are important. They need to be in the proper amounts and in proper proportion to the other minerals of the body. Over the years, one great, safe and balanced colloidal mineral supplement I have found that helps most of my clients is New Vision Essential minerals. Yes, there are other minerals on the market, but after years of extensive kinesiological testing and comparing this colloidal/ionic mineral to about 12 others on the market, this one seems to float to the top. I have seen other colloidal mineral products cause damage to people (if a little is good a lot must be better, right?) One in particular was causing vision problems because it was extracted from a shale that had a bit of lead and some other heavy metals in it. The source of the minerals used in making colloidal minerals needs to be balanced and safe.  

American Biologics also makes a natural lithium over-the-counter supplement sold in some health food stores and through alternative healthcare practitioners.  

Two great references for your library: 

• Rare Earths Forbidden Cures by Dr. Joel D. Wallach and Dr. Ma Lan.

• Healthy Living—A guide to self-Healing for Everyone by Dr. Linda Rector Page

Page Last Edited 05/14/08

Diet & Nutrition Handouts in this section:

Amino Acids & Best Bet Foods

Antioxidants & Best Bet Foods

Bitters & Choline for Gallbladder

Blood Type O Best Zone Choices

Blood Type O Good Zone Choices

Blood Type O Poor Zone Choices

Blood Type A Best Zone Choices

Blood Type A Good Zone Choices

Blood Type A Poor Zone Choices

Blood Type AB Best Zone Choices

Blood Type AB Good Zone Choices

Blood Type AB Poor Zone Choices

Blood Type B Best Zone Choices

Blood Type B Good Zone Choices

Blood Type B Poor Zone Choices

Celery Health Benefits

Diet & Nutrition Home Page

Eat 4 Your Blood Type & In the Zone

Eggs—Eat Your Yolks

Eicosinoid Survey

EFA Deficiency

Fats & Oil List

Feeding Soy to Children

Food Cravings

Germanium Holy Trace Mineral

Ginger Health Benefits

Ginseng Types & Benefits

Honey Health Benefits

How to Choose Great Tasting Fruits

Iron Deficient Anemia

Just Like Sugar

Lithium Sources for Depression

Making Nutrition Work Notes

Milk that Doesn’t Spoil

Mineral Best Bet Foods

Mineral List 

·        Boron 

·        Calcium 

·        Chromium 

·        Copper 

·        Germanium 

·        Iodine 

·        Iron 

·        Lithium 

·        Magnesium 

·        Manganese 

·        Molybdenum 

·        Phosphorus 

·        Platinum 

·        Potassium 

·        Selenium 

·        Silicon 

·        Sodium 

·        Sulphur 

·        Vanadium 

·        Zinc

MSG Sources

NutraSweet

Parsley Benefits

Raw Foods and Thyroid Disease

Salt Fun Facts

Seeds & Nuts: Keep them Fresh

Soy Hazards

Sugar Copper Deficiency

Sugar Substitutes

Sugar Substitutes Licorice Root

Sugar Substitutes Stevia

Sulfites

Vitamin Best Bet Foods

Vitamin List 

·        Biotin 

·        Choline 

·        Folic Acid 

·        Vitamin A 

·        Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 

·        Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 

·        Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 

·        Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 

·        Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 

·        Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) 

·        Vitamin B15 

·        Vitamin C 

·        Vitamin D 

·        Vitamin E 

·        Vitamin K

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