Tag: Nutritional lithium

While pharmaceutical lithium is a potent psychiatric drug, studies have confirmed that trace amounts of naturally occurring lithium are present in food and drinking water across the globe. This leads many to ask: can I get lithium naturally, and are these sources sufficient for health benefits?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average adult's daily lithium intake ranges from about 0.65 to 3 milligrams. This naturally occurring trace mineral can be found in water and soil, making it possible to get more lithium naturally through a mindful dietary approach.

While lithium is best known for its use in medications, it is also a naturally occurring trace mineral found in many foods and drinking water. The concentration of lithium can vary depending on geographical location, reflecting the mineral content of the local soil.

Trace amounts of lithium occur naturally in many foods and drinking water, a far cry from the high doses used in psychiatric medication. Learning how to add lithium to diet naturally involves focusing on whole foods that can contribute to your intake of this trace element for general health.

For a period in the 20th century, the soft drink 7 Up was famously formulated with lithium citrate and marketed as a cure for hangovers. While that is no longer the case, the question of what drink contains lithium today leads to a surprising look at natural mineral waters and other beverages. While the amounts are generally minimal, they highlight how trace elements are a natural part of our diet.