Alzheimers lithium - possible treatmentAlzheimers lithium research Lithium carbonate is a pharmaceutical drug available only by prescription that isused to treat persons with bi-polar disorder, a psychiatric condition. Two other forms Lithium asparte and Lithium oranate are not pharmaceutical drugs but are sold as natural supplements. The United States government is now doing a study on the prescription form as a possible Alzheimers lithium treatment. See: NIH Clinical Trials but some physicians have been suggesting using one of the natural forms, rather than the prescription form of this element for some years. Background For sometime it has been noted that persons with bi-polar disorder who were treated with the prescription drug lithium caronbate had a lower incidence of Alzheirmers than the general population. This led some people to think that theremight be an Alzheimers lithium protective effect or a treatment possible. But what does the research say? Here are a few studies:
A doctor advocateDr. Jonathan Wright M.D. has written widely about the use of natural supplements in health care. In an article he notes "Another well-known cause of brain cell injury is over-activated N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Lithium can inhibit this over activity. And lithium also increases production of a major brain protective protein called "bcl-2" in both human and animal brain cells."He states: Scientists determine how healthy brain cells are by measuring levels of a molecule called N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA). A decrease in NAA is thought to reflect decreased nerve cell viability, decreased function, or even nerve cell loss. In a study of 19 research volunteers given four weeks of lithium, 14 experienced a significant increase in NAA, one had no change, and four had a small decrease." Further Alzheimers patients often have excess aluminum in their brains. It is not known yet if this is a factor in causing the disease but lithium helps chelates aluminum so it is removed from the body. Alzheimers lithium Dosage for the natural supplement. Dr. Wright writes: "The amounts of lithium I recommend for brain anti-aging range from 10 to 20 milligrams (from lithium aspartate or lithium orotate) daily. I've actually been recommending these amounts since the 1970s. At first I was exceptionally cautious and asked all of my patients taking lithium to have regular "lithium level" blood tests and thyroid function tests. After a year or so, I quit asking for the lithium level blood tests, since 100 percent of them came back very low. Another year after that, I stopped requesting routine thyroid function tests, too, only doing one when I was suspicious of a potential problem. In the 30 years since, I've rarely found one." He also recommends that anyone taking one of these supplements also take "a teaspoonful or two of fish oils (EFA) along with 400 IU of vitamin E (as mixed tocopherols) each day." Take 2 capsules a day for the 10milligrams a day which is Dr. Wright's lowest recommended dosage. Even if you are taking the top dose of 20mg a day, I think that you will agree that the $12 you spend is a very low cost. You can purchase a month's worth of lithium asparte (5mg) from Vitacost Take 2 capsules a day for the 10milligrams a day which is Dr. Wright's lowest recommended dosage. Even if you are taking the top dose of 20mg a day, I think that you will agree that the $12 you spend is a very low cost. Vitacost also sells EFA (Essential fatty acids) and Vitamin E. Click on Vitacost discount supplements shop Read more at:
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