Sorry to be so ignorant - I thought lithium was prescribed for bi-polar in addition to other mental health problems. I presume LO isn't the same stuff? It looks to have quite positive effects for some people.
maryb, Lithium carbonate is rx for bi-polar, used in high doses. This low-dose lithium orotate rectifies rapid cycling of neurotransmitters for those of us w/ SNPs that create something similar. A good site w/ lithium info:
http://mysite.verizon.net/res003jh/lithium-orotate/
Also, "Mercury excretion can affect the levels of lithium and iodine. You can rebalance iodine with 1/4 to 1⁄2 tablet of the supplement Iodoral (or other natural forms of iodine). For healthy lithium levels, 1/4 lithium oratate is recommended." Yasko, Autism: Pathways to Recovery pg 119 (free ebook:
http://www.holisticheal.com/autism-pathways-to-recovery-book-and-workbook.html)
And not only metal detox, but bacteria can affect neurotransmitter levels: "Also, as you know I am really focusing heavily on the H.pylori part of the puzzle. I believe this is a very significant piece for virtually everyone on the program. H.pylori can create imbalances in neurotransmitters. One of the signs is very high 5HIAA on a MAP in the absence of too many serotonin donors or SSRI prescription meds. So, we are seeing very high 5HIAA in some cases for no apparent reason in terms of medication or supplement support." (Yasko forum)
A long quote of Yasko from her forum. These are only accessed if you register for forum. And, I've found the links are rather quickly no good.
http://www.ch3nutrigenomics.com/php...lit=lithium+cycling+neurotransmitters#p145668
"In contrast to lithium toxicity due to irresponsible dosing, I am more concerned at the moment about lithium deficiency. Lack of lithium can create significant symptoms, some of which I believe we are seeing in some of the individuals who have been excreting large amounts of lithium. Lithium deficiency can cause altered behavior, aggression, manic behavior, bipolar behavior. According to a 2002 article in the American College of Nutrition, “…the decreasing order of magnitude of the associations (with lithium deficiency) was neurosis, schizophrenia, psychosis, first admission to the hospital, all admissions, personality, homicide and secondary admissions “ Upon lithium supplementation in a placebo controlled study it was found that “…receiving 400 µg of lithium per day … for four weeks. … total (positive) mood test scores increased steadily during the four weeks of supplementation and specifically in the subcategories reflecting happiness, friendliness and energy. In the placebo group, the combined mood scores showed no consistent changes; the happiness scores actually declined.”
http://www.jacn.org/cgi/reprint/21/1/14
"Lithium deficiency has been associated with feelings of suicide, as well as bipolar disorder as mentioned above (bipolar disorder is a severe mood disorder characterized by manic or depressive episodes that usually cycle back and forth between depression and mania. The depressive phase is characterized by sluggishness (inertia), loss of self-esteem, helplessness, withdrawal and sadness, with suicide being a risk. The manic phase is characterized by elation, hyperactivity, over-involvement in activities, inflated self-esteem, a tendency to be easily distracted, and little need for sleep. In either phase there is frequently a dependence on alcohol or other substances of abuse.) Trials have conclusively demonstrated that lithium is also an effective treatment for recurrent unipolar depressive illness (recurrent major affective disorder). Lithium orotate has also been used with success in alleviating the pain from migraine and cluster headaches, low white blood cell counts, juvenile convulsive disease, alcoholism and liver disorders. Deficiency has also been reported to relate to reduced growth rates and ADD.
"Lithium has been implicated in helping to control glutamate levels such that it is reported to have positive impacts on Alzheimers, ALS, Parkinsons as well as other glutamate associated issues (which can include seizure activity). Lithium historically has been used to treat gout as it helps to dissolve uric acid crystals (this could infer that it might play a role in high uric acid). It also helps to decrease norepinephrine relative to serotonin levels. It may also help to reset the circadian clock (sleep/awake cycle).
"Clearly, lack of lithium in the body is a concern and I have had emails from some of the individuals excreting large amounts of lithium over time that list many of the symptoms I just described. Again, you want to carefully monitor lithium supplementation with UEEs and with your doctor’s guidance, although I do feel that toxicity is not a common event when using such low doses. Rather I am concerned that lithium depletion may be an issue associated with excretion of metals under some conditions.
"Finally, preliminary data suggests that there may be a genetic predisposition in terms of those who are dumping large amounts of lithium and seeing some side effects that may relate to lithium deficiency. Thus far, and again, this is an early point in my looking into this, it appears that those who are SHMT + and either have significant MTRR mutations (ie H595Y and /or K350A etc) or MTR + seem to be the ones dumping the lithium along with cadmium or lead. So, again, if you are SHMT + and have multiple MTRR mutations or SHMT + and MTR + please run regular UEE tests especially if you are using any chelating agents that are not a regular part of this program."
