Low-dose Lithium intake may extend lifespan and healthspan

It may also decrease cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Lithium, a trace element essential for human nutrition, is commonly found in vegetables, plant-derived foods, and drinking water. However, its environmental exposure and nutritional intake vary significantly across regions.

Beyond its well-known use in treating bipolar and related psychiatric disorders, recent studies have shown that lithium supplementation can extend healthspan and lifespan in various animal models.

Additionally, nutritional lithium intake from drinking water has been positively correlated with human longevity.

Study 1 - Low-dose lithium uptake promotes longevity in humans and metazoans by Kim Zarse, Takeshi Terao, Jing Tian, Noboru Iwata, Nobuyoshi Ishii, Michael Ristow

Purpose

The study investigated the possibility that low-dose lithium exposure might impact mortality rates in both metazoans and mammals.

Methods

Using data from a large Japanese observational cohort, the study performed a weighted regression analysis to identify the potential effects of lithium uptake from tap water on overall mortality. Additionally, it exposed the small roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, commonly used in anti-aging studies, to similar lithium concentrations and quantified mortality during this intervention.

Results

In the human study, the study found an inverse correlation between drinking water lithium concentrations and all-cause mortality across 18 neighboring Japanese municipalities, encompassing a total of 1,206,174 individuals (β = -0.661, p = 0.003). Consistently exposing C. elegans to a low concentration of lithium chloride significantly extended their lifespan (p = 0.047).

Study 2 - Lithium treatment extends human lifespan: findings from the UK Biobank by Elisa Araldi, Catherine R Jutzeler, Michael Ristow

In another analysis of a large observational aging cohort from the UK Biobank, which includes 501,461 individuals, combined with prescription data from the National Health Services (NHS), the study discovered that therapeutic lithium supplementation is linked to decreased mortality in individuals diagnosed with affective disorders (p = 0.0017).

Multivariate survival analyses identified lithium as the most vital factor for increased survival, with a hazard ratio of 0.274 (95% CI [0.119-0.634], p = 0.0023). This translates to lithium users having 3.641 times lower (95% CI [1.577-8.407]) chances of dying at a given age compared to users of other antipsychotic drugs.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings indicate that long-term low-dose exposure to lithium may have anti-aging capabilities, reducing mortality across evolutionarily distinct species.

While these results support the potential of lithium as a geroprotective supplement, it is crucial to note that the doses used in the UK Biobank/NHS setting require careful supervision by qualified medical professionals.

This exciting research underscores the promise of lithium not only for mental health treatment but also as a possible agent in promoting longevity and reducing mortality.

What You Need to Know

Lithium - A Health-Boosting Mineral

• Natural Sources: Lithium is a mineral found in trace amounts in natural bodies of water and some plant-based foods.
• Biological Benefits: Lithium inhibits the GSK-3 enzyme, which, when overly active, is associated with aging, metabolic diseases, diabetes, and dementia.
• Health Correlations: Trace lithium intake from drinking water has been linked to reduced rates of metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes, lower mortality rates from Alzheimer's disease, fewer hospital admissions, reduced deaths due to mental illness, and decreased all-cause mortality.
• Clinical Findings: In studies involving patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease, low-dose lithium intake proved more effective than new drugs in improving cognitive function scores.
• Daily Nutrient: Increasing evidence suggests that low-dose lithium should be considered an essential nutrient, advocating for its daily consumption for optimal health.

Trace Lithium: A Hidden Key to Longevity and Brain Health

The findings

Natural Presence: Lithium, a trace mineral found in natural water sources and some foods like tomatoes, potatoes, and cabbage, is essential for health.

Historical Usage: People have historically visited lithium-rich mineral springs, believing that these waters support mood and overall health.

Mental Health Treatment: High doses of lithium are well-known for treating bipolar disorder and other psychiatric illnesses. However, even trace amounts in drinking water offer numerous health benefits.

Health Benefits

Longevity and Dementia Prevention:

• Population Studies: Trace lithium levels in drinking water correlate with enhanced longevity and a reduced risk of dementia.
• Japanese Study: An analysis of 18 Japanese municipalities (1,206,174 individuals) found an inverse correlation between lithium in drinking water and all-cause mortality (β = -0.661, p = 0.003).
• Roundworm Study: Similarly, exposure to low concentrations of lithium chloride extended the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism for aging studies (p = 0.047).

Cognitive Health:

• Observational Studies: Lithium use is linked to decreased dementia risk and improved cognitive performance in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
• Clinical Findings: Low-dose lithium was more effective than new drugs in improving cognitive function scores in patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.

Mechanism of Action

GSK-3 Inhibition:

• Key Enzyme: Lithium inhibits glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), an enzyme linked to aging and metabolic disorders. Excessive GSK-3 activity is associated with neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic dysfunction.
• Neuroprotective Role: By inhibiting GSK-3, low-dose lithium may protect the brain from neurodegenerative diseases, increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and support brain cell survival and function.

Broader Health Impacts:

• Body-Wide Benefits: Lithium's regulatory effects extend to cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, metabolic, and cognitive functions.
• Epidemiological Evidence: Studies have shown that higher lithium intake in drinking water is associated with lower rates of mental illness-related hospital admissions and deaths, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular disease deaths, Alzheimer's disease deaths, and all-cause mortality.

Experimental Data:

• Heart and Bone Health: Improved cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health.
• Reduced Inflammation: Anti-inflammatory effects.
• Antiviral Properties: Potential antiviral effects.
• Metabolic Benefits: Improved insulin function and glucose control, potentially preventing diet-induced obesity.

Scientific Consensus

A growing number of scientists believe that small, trace doses of lithium should be considered an essential micronutrient for optimum health. This would mean incorporating lithium into the diet or through direct supplementation.

Conclusion

Essential Micronutrient:

• Health Benefits: Lithium intake is linked to lower rates of chronic diseases, including cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes, along with reduced all-cause mortality.
• Cognitive Function: In clinical studies, low-dose lithium improves cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.
• Scientific Support: There is increasing support for the idea that low-dose lithium can enhance health and prevent chronic disease, making it a valuable nutrient for daily consumption.

Nutrients

Lithium is a trace mineral found in small amounts in various natural sources, including certain foods and drinking water. Here are some common sources of lithium:

Foods with High Lithium Content:

1. Vegetables:
2. Fruits:
3. Grains:
4. Seafood:
5. Dairy Products:
6. Nuts and Seeds:

Water Sources with High Lithium Content:

1. Natural Bodies of Water:
2. Mineral Water:

Supplements:

• Dietary Supplements: While not a natural food source, lithium supplements can provide a controlled and higher intake of lithium, typically used under medical supervision.

Highest Concentrations:

• Natural Mineral Springs: Historically, people have sought out lithium-rich mineral springs for their health benefits.
• Certain Regions: Areas like the Andes in South America, parts of Europe, and some locations in the United States (e.g., certain counties in Texas and Nevada) have groundwater with higher natural lithium concentrations.

Lithium in fish

Lithium content in fish can vary depending on the specific type of fish and their habitat. While comprehensive, detailed studies on lithium content across all fish species are limited, some research suggests that certain fish known to inhabit lithium-rich waters or certain types of seafood might contain higher levels of lithium.

Here are some types of fish and seafood that might have higher lithium content based on their environmental sources:

Fish with Potentially Higher Lithium Content:

1. Sardines: Often found in mineral-rich waters, sardines may contain trace amounts of lithium.
2. Cod: This fish is known for its beneficial nutrient profile, which may include lithium.
3. Mackerel: Similar to sardines, mackerel can have higher mineral content, including lithium.
4. Anchovies: Small, oily fish like anchovies may also have higher lithium concentrations.
5. Salmon: Salmon, particularly wild-caught varieties, might contain more lithium due to their diverse diet and habitat.
6. Herring: Like sardines and mackerel, herring is another oily fish that might be a good source of lithium.
7. Trout: Freshwater fish like trout, especially from lithium-rich waters, may also contain higher levels of lithium.

Shellfish:

• Oysters: Known for their high mineral content, oysters may also contain trace amounts of lithium.
• Mussels: Similar to oysters, mussels could be a source of lithium.

Considerations:

• Habitat Influence: Fish from regions known for lithium-rich waters, such as certain parts of the ocean or freshwater sources, are more likely to contain higher levels of lithium.
• Dietary Intake: Fish's diet can influence their lithium content. Fish that consume mineral-rich food sources are more likely to have higher lithium levels.

Conclusion:

While specific lithium content data for each fish species is not extensively detailed, oily fish such as sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and herring, as well as commonly consumed fish like cod and salmon, are good options to include in your diet for potential lithium intake. Shellfish like oysters and mussels are also beneficial. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, consult studies that focus on mineral content in seafood from specific regions.

Summary:

For the most lithium per usual intake, focus on consuming potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, bananas, whole grains, fish, almonds, and cashews, as well as considering natural mineral water from lithium-rich springs. Supplements are also an option for higher controlled intake, but they should be used under medical advice.

Take away

Geroprotectors are substances or interventions that are believed to extend lifespan and improve healthspan (the period of life spent in good health) by targeting the biological processes of aging. Their primary aim is to slow down, prevent, or reverse the mechanisms that contribute to aging and age-related diseases.

Key Characteristics of Geroprotectors:

1. Lifespan Extension: Geroprotectors have the potential to increase the overall lifespan of organisms.
2. Healthspan Improvement: These agents not only aim to prolong life but also to enhance the quality of life by delaying the onset of age-related diseases and maintaining physical and cognitive functions.
3. Mechanistic Targeting: They often work by modulating specific biological pathways known to be involved in aging processes, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, cellular senescence, and metabolic dysregulation.

Examples of Geroprotectors:

1. Pharmaceuticals:
2. Nutraceuticals and Supplements:
3. Lifestyle Interventions:
4. Genetic and Cellular Approaches:

Mechanisms of Action:

• Antioxidant Effects: Reducing oxidative damage to cells and tissues.
• Anti-inflammatory Effects: Lowering chronic inflammation that contributes to many age-related diseases.
• Metabolic Regulation: Enhancing metabolic processes to maintain energy balance and reduce metabolic disorders.
• Cellular Senescence: Removing or rejuvenating senescent cells that no longer divide and contribute to aging.
• Autophagy Promotion: Encouraging the process of autophagy to remove damaged cellular components and improve cell function.

Conclusion:

Geroprotectors represent a promising area of research with the potential to significantly impact aging and age-related diseases. By targeting the fundamental processes of aging, these interventions aim to not only extend lifespan but also enhance the quality of life during aging. Research in this field is ongoing, with the hope of discovering new and effective ways to promote healthy aging.

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