Lithium (Lithium Aspartate)

When they hear about lithium being used for medical purposes, most people associate its use with the treatment of psychiatric disorders, such as manic-depressive psychoses. However, lithium, as an organic mineral, is a necessary trace element that is essential for life. It functions in the human body much like other minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and others.

In recent studies, it has been shown, by blood analysis, that many individuals with specific fatigue states, fibromyalgia, and other types of chronic illness have low lithium levels. In addition, others, despite normal blood levels, respond to supplemental lithium.

Traditional prescription lithium preparations include medicines such as Eskalith, which is a specialized type of lithium carbonate. The type of over-the-counter lithium replacement therapy recommended by the Advanced Medical Center is generally lithium aspartate. The prescription versions of lithium are given at fairly high doses and produce very high levels of elemental lithium in the body. For example, Eskalith, given at its therapeutic recommendation, is equivalent to taking a several 100 mg dose of elemental lithium. On the other hand, a dose of lithium aspartate, an over-the-counter version of lithium, contains only 5 mg of elemental lithium. Thus, any potential complications or side effects are minimized.

Rarely, people may notice fatigue, lethargy, blurred vision, dehydration, and headaches, upset stomach, various types of skin rashes, dizziness, and hypersensitive muscle or body pain. However, complications such as these are exceedingly rare with the use of any type of lithium aspartate salt.

In fact, the opposite response is generally observed. Most people who take lithium aspartate experience significant improvement in overall symptomatology, a generalized lifting of mood and improvement of motivation, desire to interact, and ability to process one\'s activities of daily living. In addition, many people report a significant improvement in overall symptoms of chronic debilitation, such as in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

If you have any further questions, please call the Advanced Medical Center.

Dale Guyer, M.D.