Lithium is an element that has various uses and applications. It is used in the glass and ceramic industry, is used with other metals in the making of air crafts, is a very good lubricant, is used in mobile phones, and also has a whole lot of health uses.
In this article, we are going to focus on the health uses of lithium, and its role as an essential trace element and nutritional mineral for the human body.
Medicinal Uses and Health Benefits of Lithium
1. Treating bipolar disease: The most prevalent of uses of lithium by far, is in the treatment of bipolar disease, or as is more popularly referred to - manic depressive disorder.
This disease is characterized by severe mood swings, which leaves the sufferer feeling highly elated at times and then down in the dumps at other times. This cycle of mania and depression is caused due to certain imbalances in a person's brain.
For years now, lithium has been used in treating this disorder as it is very effective in controlling the symptoms of bipolar. Why lithium works in bipolar is not very clear, but it is suspected to control the levels of a brain chemical called serotonin, an imbalance of which causes the disease.
Despite many other drugs being available to treat bipolar disease, lithium remains the preferred choice for treating this disease, not just because it is very effective, but also because it is not a drug at all and does not have irreversible side effects like the other drugs.
2. Lithium for a healthy brain: Because of the high use of lithium in treating bipolar disease, it has become somewhat synonymous with mental diseases, thus being seen as something to stay away from.
People sure don't want to be telling anyone that they are taking lithium, lest they be considered 'mad', which is a shame as lithium is so much more than just a remedy for mental patients.
Lithium is a very essential mineral and can do wonders for your brain. Studies have revealed that lithium is very useful in slowing down the shrinking of your brain cells (which occurs with age) and can actually renew brain cells too.
Thus, by taking lithium, you can keep your brain in top condition.
3. Uses of lithium for Alzheimer's: The negative action of a brain toxin known as glutamate is responsible for the degeneration of brain cells, thus resulting in Alzheimer's.
Many new medicines for Alzheimer's contain ingredients that control the actions of glutamate, thus preventing Alzheimer's and also decelerating the progress of the disease in those who already have it.
Lithium is a mineral which also has the properties of shielding the brain from the harm caused by glutamates. Thus, lithium can be the answer for the prayers of all those people who have someone suffering from Alzheimer's.
The above uses of lithium are not well documented and researched and thus people do not have a good idea about the huge health benefits of lithium. But, if one were to believe the stories of those who do take lithium regularly, all of the above uses of lithium are true.
What Should You Think About When Taking Lithium?
There is no RDA for the intake of lithium. But according to various studies, a dosage of about 10-20 mg per day is adequate for maintaining your overall health, including that of the brain.
For treating diseases such as Alzheimer's and Bipolar disorder, or other therapeutic uses, lithium should be taken only on the advice of a doctor.
Buying A Lithium Supplement
In order to make sure that you purchase a quality product, you should buy lithium supplements only from pharmaceutical GMP compliant makers. Avoid any lithium product that has harmful fillers such as silica, starch etc.
As minerals work in combination with one another, you should buy a lithium product that has other essential minerals such as copper, zinc, calcium etc too. The best options for this is a natural multivitamin supplement. They are available all over the place today.
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