Lithium trace element prolongs life?

Lithium as a fountain of youth: a trace element prolongs life?

14/02/2011

The regular intake of lithium acts like a fountain of youth. Even small amounts of the trace element show a significant life-prolonging effect, according to the results of a joint study by nutritionists from the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Japanese colleagues

The inclusion of the trace element lithium prolongs life. Like the research team around Prof. Dr. med. Michael Ristow of the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, together with Japanese colleagues in two independent studies has found, even the low-level uptake in both the model organism of the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, as well as life extending in humans. The researchers published their findings in the current online issue of the specialist journal „European Journal of Nutrition“.

Physiological function of lithium so far unclear
So far, the benefits of the trace element lithium has been highly controversial in the art. Although previous studies had already shown that lithium in very high concentrations life-prolonging effect on the model organism of the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, but was „the dosage examined at that time (...) clearly above the physiologically relevant range“ and would be „toxic to humans“, said the holder of the Jena Chair for Human Nutrition, Prof. Dr. med. Ristow. It is clear that lithium is an essential part of the diet, which is mainly taken from plant food and drinking water. „We still know very little about the physiological function of lithium“, emphasized study leader Ristow. In order to substantiate their research results, the researchers have now investigated the effect of lithium in much smaller concentrations in two separate studies.

Lithium increases the average life expectancy
Together with the Japanese researchers, the nutritionists from Jena analyzed the mortality rate in 18 Japanese communities, at the same time recording the respective lithium content of the tap water. In the investigation of the connections between the lithium content of drinking water and the mortality rate has been found, „that the mortality rate in municipalities is significantly lower, in which more lithium is present in tap water“, summed up Dr. Ristow the study results together. In a second experiment, nutritionists then investigated the effect of the lithium concentration in drinking water on the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. According to the study director Prof. Dr. med. Ristow confirmed the previous research: „Also, the average life expectancy of worms is higher when treated with lithium at this dosage.“

Lithium in the future as a dietary supplement?
Although the physiological mechanisms are so far unclear, the Japanese and German researchers assume that the observed longer life expectancy of roundworms and humans, due to the trace element lithium. Should their results be confirmed in further studies, lithium could be used in a similar low dosages in the future as a dietary supplement, hope the nutritionists. In addition, can be achieved by the lithium uptake further positive health effects, said the experts. Because „from previous studies“ be already known, „that a higher lithium intake via the drinking water can be associated with an improvement in the mental mood and with a reduced suicide frequency“, emphasized Ristow.

Do not underestimate the risk of lithium poisoning
As a trace element lithium in meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, individual vegetables such as potatoes and cereal products and mineral and drinking water is included. Although the unique functions of the trace element in the body have not yet been clarified, lithium is generally thought to have a positive effect on the nerve cells and the nervous system. Nutrition experts estimate that the daily requirement for lithium of the body of an adult person to about 0.1 milligrams. However, it is also important to warn against high lithium uptake. Because a lithium excess in the body (also called lithium poisoning) can have serious health consequences. Possible symptoms of lithium poisoning include disorders of movement coordination (ataxia), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (diarrhea), impaired consciousness, dehydration (dehydration), blurred vision, apathy, muscle pain, muscle twitching and convulsions. In addition, damage to the kidneys are not uncommon, which among other things increased urination and thirst is triggered. If no countermeasures are taken, the risk of the person falling into a coma and dying. Therefore, should the typical symptoms of lithium poisoning occur, a doctor or hospital should be consulted immediately, experts suggest. (Fp)

Picture: Rolf van Melis