Lithium Orotate Side Effects

"I'm so happy 'cause today
I found my friends
They're in my head..."

These immortal words, penned by rock singer Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, pretty much explain the need and effect of the element, lithium. Indeed this song itself is called 'Lithium' and elaborates the need for lithium among the people.

If you've heard someone say that fish is good for the brain, well that person has clearly not heard of lithium. Lithium is a naturally occurring element that is used as an active ingredient in several prescription medicines for combating several types of mood disorders. The great thing about lithium is that it can be used for both manic depressive maladies such as stress, alcoholism and depression and even for hyperactivity-based disorders such as aggression, anger and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Therefore we can also deduce that it can be used against bipolar disorders as it works as a mood stabilizer, to bring extreme moods into a calmer state. Recent studies into the uses and properties of lithium also suggest that lithium can be used against brain-degenerating diseases like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease as it prevents or even reverses neuronal cell death and neurogenesis retardations.

Lithium Orotate
Thus we can see that lithium imparts a variety of brain related benefits. Lithium carbonate was the original lithium supplement, but lithium orotate has emerged as perhaps a better alternative to the former, trying to nullify some of lithium carbonate side effects or its negative points. In the lithium orotate compound, which is a salt of orotic acid and lithium, the lithium atom is non-covalently bound to an orotate ion instead of a carbonate ion. Its chemical formula is LiC₅H₃N₂O₄·H₂O. Lithium orotate is particularly used as a diet supplement along with as a prescription medication.

So what is the big deal about lithium orotate? It tries to nullify one of the problems that lithium carbonate creates. The problem with lithium carbonate is that it will be useful only when the lithium component reaches the complex intracellular structures of mitochondria and lysosomes. Unless it seeps into the cells, it is quite useless. So to ensure that the lithium is absorbed, doctors prescribe a slightly higher dosage of lithium carbonate. Now too much of anything is going to create a problem for you. When the excess lithium does not get absorbed by the cells, it floats around in the blood, shooting up the toxicity of blood. What lithium orotate does, being an orotate ion, it gets absorbed in the cells a bit faster and reduces the chances of elevated blood levels. But is lithium orotate dangerous? What are the side effects of lithium orotate consumption?

Lithium Orotate Side Effects
Lithium dosages at times can cause blood levels to shoot up to a level that is toxic to the body. Hence, it is necessary to keep a constant eye on the blood levels every 3 to 6 months. Depending upon the dosage, the troubles vary. Even the slightest overdose may lead to symptoms like hand tremors, frequent urination, thirst, nausea and vomiting. An even higher dosage will lead to drowsiness, poor coordination, muscular weakness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision and loss of appetite.

There are also some unfounded claims that lithium treatment over a long period may lead to kidney problems and renal failures, but these claims remain unsubstantiated as the exact cause of the above troubles cannot be directly linked to lithium consumption.

So these are the side effects of lithium orotate and of lithium overall. But when it comes to lithium orotate, it is not necessarily dangerous as the orotate ion is consumed by the cells quickly enough, doing its part to quell the problem of lithium overdose. Nevertheless there is no harm in staying on the safe side, is there? Keep a close watch on your blood levels. Get a blood check-up done every 3 months to ensure that there may be no instance of toxicity in blood.