Posted by Ron Hill on June 1, 2003, at 23:37:58
In reply to , Re: LITHIUM OROTATE » McPac, posted by Paulie on June 1, 2003, at 16:22:49
Larry,
I'd heard about lithium orotate before but I had always dismissed it out-of-hand by saying to myself "a Li ion, is a Li ion, is a Li ion." However, when the topic came up on the board this time around, I looked into it and I'm starting to think that there may be something to this lithium orotate thing after all.
If the sales pitch is true and the lithium orotate does indeed cross the cell membrane more readily than the inorganic Li ion, then an equivalent pharmacological effect might be accomplished with reduced Li blood levels. This in turn would reduce the side effects including possible thyroid damage from long-term use of lithium.
As you know, I take a low dosage (600 mg/day) of Lithobid. I am convinced that lithium provides neuroprotective effects in the brain. However, even at my relatively low Li blood level (0.4 mEq/l) the lithium causes some amount of rash. The bigger issue, however, is the possibility of thyroid damage with long-term lithium use at these blood levels.
Since I am self-insured, the cost of prescription lithium carbonate is comparable to the cost of the lithium orotate supplement product.
Larry, I highly value your opinion and I have learned much from your writings (we are fortunate to have you here). If you have time, could you please read this link and give me your opinion?
Specifically, does Li orotate enter the cells more efficiently than inorganic Li, thereby, facilitating a marked reduction in the dosage required when using the Li orotate product?
Also, although the web page does not specifically say this, I get the impression that the lithium orotate crosses the cell membrane prior to dissociation (i.e.; the Li ion is still bound to the transporter molecule). If this is true, when and where does the Li ion break free from the transporter molecule so that the Li ion can start doing whatever it does as a moodstabilizer?
And finally, Lithobid is a slow-release product. I doubt that the lithium orotate product has a slow-release feature.
Here's the link.
http://www.findserenitynow.com/product_info_4.html
Thank you sooooooooo much.
-- Ron
poster:Ron Hill
thread:230335
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030530/msgs/230700.html