Laying out lithium
Q: I have a question regarding the recommended dose of elemental lithium you recommend for daily use for those who wish to use it as a preventive measure. You recommend 10-20 milligrams of lithium aspartate or orotate. However, on the bottle of lithium orotate it states that each tablet contains 125 mg of lithium orotate, yielding 5 mg elemental lithium. Does this mean that in order to get the 10 milligrams needed one would need to take two tablets?…Thanks for your clarification.
Jonathon V. Wright, MD: You’re entirely correct! To obtain 10 to 20 milligrams of elemental lithium that research indicates can help keep your brain functioning at peak performance, you would need two to four tablets or capsules, each containing 5 milligrams of elemental lithium.
Lithium aspartate supplements containing 20 milligrams elemental lithium per capsule (manufactured by Bio-Tech Pharmacal) are also available at many compounding pharmacies and the Tahoma Clinic Dispensary.
And even though I’ve never in 35 years seen anyone develop lithium toxicity from 20 milligrams of elemental lithium daily, it’s wisest for anyone supplementing with lithium in any quantity to also take essential fatty acids every day. Essential fatty acids not only have many health benefits of their own but they’re also a very effective treatment for lithium toxicity (in very large quantities, of course), and in small quantities will help prevent it.
*Bear in mind we are not addressing anyone’s personal situation and you should rely on this for informational purposes only. Please consult with your own physician before acting on any recommendations contained herein.
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