7-Up, the 85-year-old citrus soft drink, once went by the less-catchy name “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda” — and it was packed with mood-enhancing lithium.
Lithium, a salt found in groundwater, has long been used to treat bipolar disorder and depression. Lithium’s mind-altering effects may have been an early draw for 7-Up. The drink, which contained the compound lithium citrate, started selling just two weeks before the stock market crashed in October 1929, kicking off the Great Depression.
Of course like other sodas at the time, the medicinal ingredients were eventfully removed. But, is there a more natural form of Lithium that can be taken to help with mood disorders?
This article from Verywell.com talks about Lithium Oratate and how you can use it for a lift:
“The Benefits of Lithium Orotate
In alternative medicine, lithium orotate is sometimes promoted as an alternative to lithium, a medication prescribed to treat and prevent episodes of mania in people with bipolar disorder.
Lithium is said to treat and prevent manic episodes by reducing abnormal brain activity.
Although orotic acid is sometimes referred to as vitamin B13, it’s not actually considered a vitamin. In the human body, orotic acid is produced from microorganisms found in the intestines.
Uses for Lithium Orotate
In alternative medicine, lithium orotate is purported to treat and prevent the following conditions:
Lithium is said to treat and prevent manic episodes by reducing abnormal brain activity.
Although orotic acid is sometimes referred to as vitamin B13, it’s not actually considered a vitamin. In the human body, orotic acid is produced from microorganisms found in the intestines.
Uses for Lithium Orotate
In alternative medicine, lithium orotate is purported to treat and prevent the following conditions:
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alcoholism
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anxiety
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attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
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bipolar disorder
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depression”
It is important to know that there is a lack of scientific support for lithium orotate’s effectiveness as an alternative to lithium. More studies need to performed.
This is not a complete list of what lithium oratate can help. To get the complete list you can go read the article on the VeryWell website.
Image courtesy of: JeepersMedia