HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · JUNE 2018
LITHIUM
The Mineral That Heals
Depression, Cures Anxiety
And Makes You Live Longer
S
ociety expects men to be
strong and confident. Men
are supposed to take the
lead and approach women
first. Some can live up to these
expectations, while others can’t
handle the pressure.
Like women, men can feel anxiety
and depression. They suffer from
mental disorders that prevent them
from living up to societal standards.
Unlike women, there is a lack of
proper dialogue about men and their
emotional health. That’s worrisome,
considering the suicide rate for men
is higher than women’s.
So, what’s a man to do?
As you know, physical fitness is one
aspect of wellness. Your physical,
mental, emotional, social and
spiritual health determine your
overall wellness. However, you
shouldn’t treat them separately.
They’re interconnected. Take the
relationship between your physical
and emotional health as an example.
Good physical health can make you
feel good about yourself. As a result,
you’re less likely to suffer from low
self-esteem.
Beyond your physical health are the
minerals and nutrients you consume
and how they influence your
emotional and mental health. One
such mineral is lithium.
THE LESSER KNOWN ELEMENT
Lithium is a breakthrough natural
medicine for mental illness,
but it’s lesser known and often
misunderstood.
In 1949, Australian psychiatrist
John Frederick Joseph Cade
discovered that lithium
carbonate can improve the
moods of people suffering
from manic depression
disorder (now known as
bipolar disorder).
Prior to its discovery, electroshock
therapy and lobotomy were the
prominent treatment for patients with
psychosis. Lithium carbonate is still
regarded as a breakthrough medication
for mental disorders.
SOURCES OF LITHIUM
Dairy products such as milk and
cheese
Meat, particularly from cows and
goats
Sea foods such as scallops, oysters,
lobsters and shrimps
Legumes such as soybeans, lentils,
and chickpeas
Eggs
Lithium supplements are necessary
when water or the foods you eat don’t
contain measurable amounts of the
mineral.
BENEFITS
Even if you don’t have bipolar disorder,
you can take lithium supplements. Three
of its noteworthy benefits are:
9 9 It helps with depression.
9 9 It helps manage anxiety.
9 9 It promotes longevity.
LITHIUM AND DEPRESSION
Lithium is a fast-acting mood enhancer.
This is advantageous in the treatment of
multiple types of clinical depression. It
16 HEALTHY MAGAZINE
helps enhance your mood by boosting
the sensitivity for your serotonin
(neurotransmitter).
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Consuming too high doses of lithium
can have side effects. In excess, it can be
toxic. Some possible side effects include:
ɪ ɪ Headaches
ɪ ɪ Dehydration
ɪ ɪ Drowsiness
ɪ ɪ Dizziness
ɪ ɪ Muscle stiffness
ɪ ɪ Increased urination
DOSAGE
There are many different lithium
supplements on the market. However,
not all are advantageous or suitable for
men. We recommend using the lithium
orotate type in 5mg dosages, 1 – 2 times
per day.
There are high expectations on men
today. One of the best things you can
do to meet the said expectations and
manage the pressure from such is by
ensuring your mental and emotional
health is in stable condition. Taking low
dosage lithium can help you do so even
if you’re prone to emotional problems.
With this, you can handle depression and
anxiety and feel confident.
By Alex Eriksson