Foods Rich In Lithium And Lithium Supplements

By | December 26, 2008

Foods High In Lithium Supplements And Lithium Levels

Foods or food sources rich in lithium include all kinds of dairy products, sugarcane, seaweed, potatoes, lemons and eggs. Natural mineral water is also said to have a good source of lithium and the unusually recommended to calm nerves, uplift the spirit and help in soothing digestion. Since lithium is an element that occurs naturally in the environment it is found in a salt state, and is related to sodium, it is important to drink plenty of liquids much refrain from having caffeinated beverages.  Calcium supplementation or medication is known to lower lithium. Since the body requires only 2 to 3 mg of lithium, the excess is usually secreted through urine and feces.

Lithium Foods And Lithium Supplements

Other primary sources of lithium include gains and vegetables and drinking water or tap water also provides significant amounts of lithium. The intake of dietary lithium is dependent upon the location and type of foods consumed over a wide range. Lithium brains are very important role during early fetal development due to the high content of the lithium in the embryo during early gestation period. Excess lithium produces symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, excessive thirst, increased urination, hand and foot tremors, lethargy, mental confusion, delirium and weakness in muscles. It is important to get blood levels checked occasionally in order to ensure that sufficient amounts of lithium are present and that side-effects of the symptoms of lithium toxicity do not take place.

Medical experts are the opinion that an average daily lithium intake of an adult of approximately 70 kg should range from 650 to 3100 µg. A diet rich in all grains and green vegetables is known to provide more lithium than those diets which are rich in animal proteins. However certain studies reveal that there is an uneven distribution of lithium on the planet and a vegetarian diet may not necessarily be rich in lithium. For example in certain parts of Texas lithium is found in lower quantities than in places like Arizona.
Lithium is believed to stabilize the nervous system in addition to influencing sodium transport and indirectly strengthening the Indian system. Since lithium is used as a medication to treat manic depressive disorders, the dosage should be monitored extremely carefully to prevent toxicity of the element. Lithium is recommended as a nutritional supplement but is primarily used as medicine drugs. It has also being occasionally used in treating alcoholism as it helps in decreasing the taste for alcohol and generating a more cheerful attitude in life.

Lithium In Food

Lithium is a mineral that is found abundantly around the planet. It is found in soil and in water. Some areas like river basins have a higher concentration of lithium in the soil and water. Both soil and water are used for the production of plants. Plants are consumed by animals as well. This means that lithium will be present both in vegetarian and non vegetarian diets.

The human body is made up of many different organ systems that have different requirements for their maintenance and performance. Some organs produce products such as hormones which are used in different parts of the body. The human dietary requirement is very complicated. Apart from the basic food groups that one needs to consume, there are a range of other nutrients that are essential for the human body. This makes it very complicated to actually choose one’s diet. It is therefore best to stick to naturally occurring foods rather than processed foods. Natural foods contain a whole range of different nutrients that are needed in the body. Natural foods and also feature variations, often even in the same batch of plants produced. This gives the body a good variety of food that is essential for its good health.

Lithium is regarded as important for the mental state of human beings. The human mind is extremely complicated and difficult to understand. Thoughts and emotions produced in the brain are what govern human actions. It is this that separates humans from animals. One important aspect of an individual’s mental condition is the mood. An individual in a good mood is likely to care more about his or her own health. An individual who is not depressed will also likely be more social and be better to individuals that he or she comes into contact with. Violent crimes are also associated with problems related to mood. Depression related crimes tend to be linked to the improper functioning of the brain or improper levels of some nutrients in the blood. Lithium is one such nutrient that has an important connection with the mood of an individual.

Depending on geographical location, different parts of the world offer different concentrations of lithium in water that is supplied to peoples’ homes. Research suggests that locations with the highest concentration of lithium tend to have the lowest rates of depression and violent crime. These studies have been conducted across the globe in different climates with different natural habits and diets. Researchers have therefore concluded that this phenomenon is fairly universal. Recent medical research studies have hinted at the possibility that lithium levels are linked with mental diseases as well. Certain mental diseases such as Alzheimer’s are related to the gradual degeneration of brain cells. Studies suggest that there is a lower chance of developing such conditions if there is sufficient lithium in one’s diet. Lithium is also believed to stabilize the nervous system. In this sense, it is supposed to help with degenerative medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis. Nerve conduction is important for the passage of messages to and from the brain. This helps to control the various muscle systems of the body and also the organs which, at the end of the day, are controlled by the brain using various hormones.

Animal cells are capable of holding on to lithium better than plant cells. For this reason most foods with lithium are sourced from animal sources. This does not mean that plant sources are poor in comparison. Both vegetarian and non vegetarian sources exist for lithium. Some foods high in lithium include beef, eggs, natural milk, pork, tomatoes, mushrooms and cucumbers. This list is not exhaustive as there are many foods high in lithium content that one can access.

It therefore boils down to a balanced diet. A balanced diet is one where all the nutrition groups required by an individual are taken care of. Another aspect of a balanced diet is a lack of excess. One should not consume too much of any food group as this is also harmful to the health of an individual. A balanced diet is varied in its components and this provides some good variety from the point of view of the palate. Individuals who consume a varied balanced diet are likely to be happier about the food that they are consuming as well.

Grains also contain small amounts of lithium in them. This makes access to lithium in food extremely easy and convenient. One should also note that a rich lithium diet may have some side effects. Almost all nutrients in the body are good for health as long as they are not too concentrated. When the concentration of these substances increases, it causes problems with the functioning of the body. The same logic applies to lithium as well. Individuals who have too much lithium in their blood suffer from problems such as thirst, diarrhea, tremors and increased urination. Increased urination is related to the body’s attempt to rid itself of the excess lithium flowing through the blood stream.

The diagnosis of an individual with lithium imbalance problems is based on a blood test. Blood testing is done in a laboratory and is done after the doctor has noted some symptoms that could be linked with medical problems in the individual. These problems include the symptoms mentioned above. An individual with such symptoms and symptoms of lithium deficiency will be tested for his or her lithium levels. When an imbalance in the level of lithium is found, the patient may be put under treatment. If there is a deficiency of lithium, dietary modifications to fix this problem will be suggested by the doctor. An individual with a history of mental health problems should have his or her lithium level checked regularly. For all other individuals, lithium level checking should be done during routine medical evaluations. Individuals should have their bodies checked for problems regularly to ensure that any deficiency or excess is sorted out quickly before it begins to affect the body more seriously.