Recent research indicates that intake of lithium may decrease suicide risk in the general population.
It is estimated that 26.2 percent of Americans suffer from mental disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. Furthermore, approximately 15.7 percent of Americans have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime.
Lithium is used as a mood stabilizer primarily in the treatment of bipolar disorder. When salts of lithium are ingested, the lithium ions interact with several neurotransmitters and receptors in the central nervous system resulting in decreased norepinephrine release and increased serotonin synthesis.
In two recently published studies, researchers have analyzed the effect of low-dose lithium intake and suicide risk in the general population. It has previously been established that lithium intake decreases suicide risk in individuals with mood disorders.
In one study, conducted in Japan, investigators evaluated lithium levels in the tap water of 18 municipalities. The researchers compared this data to the suicide standardized mortality ratio in each municipality from 2002 to 2006. The results of the study showed that as lithium levels increased, the suicide standardized mortality ratio averages decreased.
The researchers stated, “These findings suggest that even very low levels of lithium in drinking water may play a role in reducing suicide risk within the general population.”
References:
Ohgami H, Terao T, Shiotsuki I, Ishii N, Iwata N. Lithium levels in drinking water and risk of suicide. Br J Psychiatry. 2009 May;194(5):464-5.
Terao T, Goto S, Inagaki M, Okamoto Y. Even very low but sustained lithium intake can prevent suicide in the general population? Med Hypotheses. 2009 May 18. Published Online ahead of Print.
A natural form of lithium known as lithium orotate is available here as a nutritional supplement. Lithium orotate is believed to be absorbed more effectively than lithium carbonate and lithium citrate, thus allowing lower therapeutic dosages to be effective.