DIET AND FITNESS:
Lithium-Rich Foods--Why You
Need Them In Your Diet
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December 28, 2009
By Susan M. Callahan, Associate Editor
and Featured Columnist
What is Lithium?
Lithium is an element found in nature, such as calcium or
potassium. Lithium is a natural-occurring soft metal found in
the layers of rock and soil on the earth. Scientists believe
that lithium was one of the first elements in the universe,
formed at the moment of the Big Bang.
Lithium is in fact everywhere. Lithium exists in our soil, in
varying degrees around the world, and in our water supply.
Our water absorbs lithium when it comes into contact with
lithium-rich soil in river beds, streams and underground
aquifers. Because our food is grown in soil and uses water
to grow, lithium also occurs naturally in our food supply.
Animal-based foods and plants vary in their ability to absorb
and retain lithium.
Why Do We Need Lithium In Our Diets?
Lithium’s nutritional importance as a trace element has long
been suspected by researchers. Several research studies
have confirmed that link between high levels of lithium in tap
water and low incidences of suicides, admissions to mental
hospitals, murders and rapes. In 1971, a Texas biochemist
named Dr. Earl Dawson noticed that the murder and suicide
rates around El Paso were significantly lower than the rest of
the state. After investigation, he discovered that the lower
rates of suicide, murder and admissions to mental hospitals
were linked to the high levels of lithium found in El Paso’s
water supply.
Other research studies from around the world reached
similar results. A study by the University of Oita in Japan
found that low lithium levels were associated with increases
rates of suicide and depression. The researchers examined
the natural lithium levels in the tap water of 18 communities
south of Japan. They then examined the suicide rates in the
18 communities. They found that suicide rates were lowest
in those areas with the highest concentrations of lithium in
their tap water. As they concluded, “Our study suggests
that very low levels of lithium in drinking water can lower
the risk of suicide. Very low levels may possess an anti-
suicidal effect.”
Lithium was once used as a key ingredient in a soft drink
invented in 1929 by Charles Leipe Grigg, an American from
Price Branch, Missouri. He initially called his drink "Bib-Label
Lithiated Lemon-Lime Sodas". He later changed the name to
" 7 Up Lithiated Lemon-Lime" .
The “7” in the name comes from the number 7, which is the
atomic mass of lithium. He called his drink 7-Up, presumably
because of its mysterious ability of lithium to elevate the
mood. Later, lithium was removed from the manufacturing
process and “lithiated from the name of the soda, but the “7
-Up” part of the name stuck.
Today, lithium is recommended treatment for several
emotional and mental disorders, most notably bipolar
disorder.
Lithium May Help Alzheimer’s
Three research studies in 1999 and 2000 from Wayne State
University of Medicine found that low levels of lithium used
to treat manic depression were also effective in protecting
the brain against Alzheimer’s disease. A key protein needed
to protect the brain against Alzheimer’s is Bc1-2 (related to
the B-cell lymphoma/ leukemia-2 gene). Lithium is the first
substance found to increase the concentration of Bc1-2 in
brains tissue.
Alzheimer’s is characterized by the existence of
neurofibrillary “tangles” in the brain. These tangles are
enabled by a destructive protein called glycogen synthase
kinase 3b (GSK-3b). Lithium has been found to decrease the
supply of destructive GSK-3b in brain tissue.
The Wayne State researchers also found that the gray matter
of patients treated with lithium over time grew by
approximately 3%, regenerating even after loss of brain cells
due to injury or disease.
Lithium-Rich Foods
Animal-derived foods contain more lithium than plant foods,
as a general matter. Eggs and milk contain the highest
concentrations of lithium. Among plants, lithium is retained
most easily in foods of the nightshade family of plants, which
include tomatoes and cucumbers and mushrooms. Seaweed
and kelp often contain high levels of lithium.
Food Lithium Content (micrograms per kg )
Milk 7533
Eggs 7373
Pork 3844
Beef 3428
Poultry 2379
Soft Cheese 2276
Herring 1734
Butter 1070
Tomatoes 6707
Mushrooms 5788
Cucumbers 5017
Red Cabbage 3579
Cauliflower 3462
Kohlrabi 2966
Asparagus 2217
White Cabbage 1874
Potatoes 1592
Apples 1449
Bananas 383
Black Tea 3737
Paprika 2316
Marjoram 2289
Cocoa 1728
Cinnamon 1046
Coffee 874
Instant Soups 2513
Rice 1260
Wheat Flour 905
Rusk 935
Toasted Bread 819
Barley 995
Lentils 748
Vanilla Pudding 639
Noodles 628
Semolina 538
Honey 527
Bread Rolls 317
Red Wine 329
White Wine 305
Pilsner 296
Sugar 199
Coca-Cola 122
Brandy 85
You're just getting started. Learn more about the
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diseases and conditions: Sugar-The Disease Connection /
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