CSI: Cortex — Lithium and Alzheimer's Disease

Lithium: Not Just for Moods, but for Memories. A new Nature study links low lithium levels in the brain—not the blood—to early Alzheimer’s, with mouse data showing memory nearly restored when lithium was reintroduced. In this episode of Blasphemous Nutrition, I unpack the science, the hype, and the hazards: from plaques that “kidnap” lithium, why supplements aren’t the go-to, to the foods and waters where this quiet mineral naturally shows up. Eat your veggies, savor your seafood, and pour that mineral water—because lithium might be your brain’s unsuspecting guardian.

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Transcript

0:00

From phone batteries to brain batteries. This trace mineral is the hottest talk in town. On August 6th. The publication Nature dropped a bombshell of a study. Low levels of lithium in the brain, not the blood, are linked to early Alzheimer's disease and topping it back up with the right form of lithium reversed damage in mice. Uh, yeah, that is worth unpacking. So let's do it. Hey Rebels. Welcome to Blasphemous Nutrition. Consider this podcast your pantry full of clarity, perspective, and the nuance needed to counter the superficial health advice so freely given on the internet. I am Amy, the unapologetically candid host of Blasphemous Nutrition and a double degreed nutritionist with 20 years experience. I'm here to share a more nuanced tape. On living and eating well to sustain and recover your health. If you found most health advice to be so generic is to be meaningless or so extreme that it's unrealistic. And you don't mind the occasional F-bomb, you've come to the right place. From dissecting the latest nutrition trends to breaking down published research and sharing my own clinical experiences, I'm on a mission to foster clarity amidst all the confusion and empower you to have the health you need to live a life you love. Now, let's get started. Welcome back to Blasphemous Nutrition. I'm your host, Amy, and if you've been reading the latest research on brain health, you might be ready to smoke your phone battery for brain gains, but hold on just a second. Let's talk about some better alternatives. Every few months a headline storms across your feed screaming. Studies show X prevents Alzheimer's, and most recently, X is lithium. Now, before you toss lithium supplements into your Amazon cart or break, open your phone battery and use it as a salt lick. Let's slow down and dig into the science and see what we can take from it. Okay. Now, lithium is a trace mineral in our food and our water. Most of the world's sources of lithium are from briny waters or hard rock deposits in various areas of the world. It is the major component in those lithium ion batteries that we use in our phones, And it has actually had a longstanding existing role in the treatment of some brain disorders. Now, if the latest research is correct, it may be a missing piece in protecting our brain as we age. For your reference, this study is called Lithium Deficiency and the onset of Alzheimer's Disease, and it was published by the research publication Nature. And in this study, researchers were looking at the role of metals in brain health. They began by studying the level of several different metals in the brains of deceased elders who had enrolled in the ROSMAP study. Then I'll talk about that in a moment, as well as brain matter from existing brain banks. Samples included those who had died with no cognitive impairment, as well as those who died with mild memory loss. Also known as MCI, mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. They discovered a single metal that was significantly reduced in the prefrontal cortex, only in those individuals with MCI or Alzheimer's disease. However, there was no difference in blood concentrations between all of these groups, indicating that this is an association that we will not be able to detect through blood testing in living individuals. Now, the ROSMAP is a longitudinal clinical, pathological study of aging, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer's disease. So effectively they're assessing cognitive health over a very long period of time. Study participants have agreed to comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological evaluations each year, and then they donate their brain to science upon death. They've used 21 cognitive functional tests. And 11 tests that were used to inform clinical diagnoses. So the researchers for this nature study had access to the cognitive function tests, and this is super important. In, taking a look at the data from the ROSMAP map study, they found that lower brain lithium levels were correlated with reduced cognitive test scores in episodic memory, as well as reduced long-term general knowledge. For individuals who had Alzheimer's disease. Low lithium levels were associated with reduced testing scores in global cognitive function as well as episodic memory. So basically when lithium went missing, memory followed making this micro mineral appear to be a key player in cognitive health. Now, the researchers also discovered that the amyloid plaque in the brain in those who have Alzheimer's had effectively trapped lithium as there were higher concentrations of lithium within the amyloid plaque, but a deficit in non plaque brain tissue. So. This discovery took them to mice. Using mice that are bred to have an outrageously high risk of Alzheimer's disease. They found that the mice also had a three to four fold higher concentration of lithium within amyloid plaque compared to their non plaque brain tissue. Then they compared those Alzheimer's prone mice to wild mice and the non plaque brain matter tissue of an. Alzheimer's type mouse had far lower concentrations of lithium compared to wild cousins of the same age. So from all of this information, the researchers have hypothesized that amyloid plaque effectively traps lithium, leaving low concentrations elsewhere in the brain. Now as any thorough research team will do, this team then did a study putting mice on a lithium deficient diet. They found that lithium deficient diets accelerated Depositing of amyloid plaque and tau proteins in Alzheimer's mice and increased amyloid levels in aging wild mice as well. The Alzheimer's disease bred mice also performed more poorly in learning and long-term memory testing, but even the Wild M. Showed signs of reduced memory retention when they were fed a low lithium diet. So the research team concluded that lithium protects against memory loss in mice prone to Alzheimer's disease, as well as during the normal aging process. In wild type mice. So then they went even further and they looked at how genes were impacted by lithium deficiency. And that part of the research gets super technical. So I'm not gonna get into it here, but you can go take a look at the research yourself if you'd like. I've included the link to that in my substack. Which is in the show notes and check out all the details, but suffice it to say both gene regulation and transcription were negatively impact by a lack of lithium. So all of this data led these researchers to consider if repleting. The body with lithium would impact amyloid plaque and tau in the brains of mice. So in the mice that have a predisposition to Alzheimer's disease, lithium orotate was given. And it almost completely prevented amyloid plaque deposition and accumulation of tau protein formation in younger mice. But here's the thing that fucking blows my mind. Supplementing with lithium orate also reduced amyloid plaque by about 70. Percent in older mice with Alzheimer's disease who had existing significant plaque deposits, and these mice almost completely reversed their memory loss. This is pretty fucking remarkable. I had to read and reread that statement in the paper to make sure that I was interpreting their claims accurately, because it literally blew my mind. And then because I, you know, technical lingo and research papers can be really difficult to parse out, so I was still questioning if what I was reading. Was actually what I was reading. So I copy and pasted the original paragraph from the research paper into chat GPT and said, Hey, translate this into layman's terms, you know, without any kind of opinion. Right. On what I thought it might mean. I just said, Hey. Translate this into layman's terms so I could see if it confirmed my interpretation and it did. So this is one hell of an observation from the research team and from my armchair academic standpoint. The work that this research team has done is incredibly thorough and well done. I think it's a gorgeous example of what quality research looks like, and I haven't seen something this nice in quite some time, so that's just kind of amped up my excitement even more so. We have all of this stuff from the mice, right? But in assessing this data, the research team went back to their human brain tissue samples to see what memory testing revealed when they were looking at lithium levels in human brain tissue. And in looking at the human data, they did observe that higher lithium levels The prefrontal cortex of the human brain is associated with better testing scores on working memory and performance in those individuals who had provided their tissue samples upon death after they had cognitive testing done in life. In the discussion section of the research paper, the team also noted that there has been research done in Denmark showing a correlation between lithium in drinking water and reduced dementia, which strengthens the observations that they're seeing. In human brain tissue. So from these mouse brains that bounce back to human brains with higher lithium concentrations holding stronger memory to entire populations in Denmark, sipping lithium laced water and having less dementia, all of this starts to look less like coincidence and more like a clue we cannot afford to ignore. So after going through this paper, I. Seriously considered throwing some lithium orate into my full script cart for a hot minute. So if you have already opened up your web browser to do the same, I'm gonna have you pause for just a moment. Lithium Orate shows remarkable results in mice. However, this form of lithium has not yet been tested in human trials for this condition or the prevention of it. Additionally, you know, we're looking at mice who are not human, and we're also looking at tissue from dead people, which. None of us are. Additionally, lithium itself is not like vitamin C. You can't just take it willy-nilly and not worry about negative impacts. For those who do take prescription lithium for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, close medical monitoring is needed because it can cause thyroid and kidney damage. It's generally not recommended for anybody who has existing issues with either of those organs. Lithium is no rookie to the brain health world. It's actually Psychiatry's OG mood stabilizer, and has been used for decades with some success depending on the individual at prescription doses. Lithium in carbonate form saves lives in those who have bipolar disorder, and sometimes helps with depression, schizophrenia, and even cluster headaches. It's also a bit of an anti-aging rockstar. Studies suggest lithium is linked to longer telomeres, boosted BDNF, which is like brain fertilizer as well as. Greater mitochondrial function. So Nirvana was not kidding when they named a track after it. Lithium has been shaping brains and moods for decades, even if it didn't seem to work for Kirk Cobain. Mood disorders aside,, a 20 year longitudinal study out of Finland on individuals taking lithium for a mood or psychotic disorder for a minimum of three years showed no evidence of dementia protection. Since they're prescribed a lithium of a different form, that could be the reason. However, there are other studies that show this form of lithium. Lithium carbonate may in fact be protective, but we have this confounding variable of existing bipolar disorder, which itself independently increases dementia risk. Studies in the general population are way more lacking with regards to lithium and memory and in not as promising with what is out there. Most of the clinical studies on lithium are using lithium carbonate at prescription level doses, not the low dose over the counter lithium orate. That is found in supplements. So we have no human clinical trials showing lithium orate as being an effective treatment or preventative for cognitive decline. We've only just discovered that it's protective in mice in one study, this is why we can't just load up the cart with supplements and think that we are going to be spared from dementia. So despite what appears to be overwhelming promise and high temptation, I'm refraining from supplementation at this time. And honestly the, like, the reason why I am even considering supplementation is because I do have a family history of Alzheimer's disease. And so this topic in particular is of a high interest, let's just say that. Um, after being. Removed, but on the sidelines of watching a family member pass from Alzheimer's, like we collectively agree, the rest of us on that side of the family, that none of us, none of us ever wanna live through that and suffer from dementia. It's just absolutely horrific. And seeing this study does have me really, really excited because this is. Some of the most exciting research that I've seen in the field of Alzheimer's since Dale Bredesen came out with his work about 10 years ago, but it isn't the lack of existing evidence on lithium, that is the primary reason why I am refraining from supplementation. Here's the primary reason. Lithium, like most other minerals competes for absorption in the body. Specifically, it shares receptors and therefore competes with sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. So adding in some lithium can disrupt the ability to utilize these minerals from your diet or supplements. If you're a savvy listener, you may recognize that these minerals are electrolytes and electrolytes play a crucial role in heart health, blood pressure, and are pretty essential for athletes as well. So there's many potential situations where lithium could be problematic outside of kidney or thyroid disease. It could wreak havoc for an athlete training during the summer. It could be extremely problematic for somebody who has high blood pressure and are taking diuretics or are on a low salt diet, or even for someone who is not already getting enough potassium or calcium from their existing diet, which is a hell of a lot of people. Lithium toxicity has been observed in those taking prescription lithium, which is why their blood levels are closely monitored. Symptoms of toxicity include diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, neurological issues such as tremors and difficulty walking, confusion, and in very severe cases it can cause seizures or coma, even low dose lithium orate marketed. As natural and safe has a huge evidence gap. The orate form has not been studied in large human clinical trials, and unlike the prescription form lithium carbonate, it isn't monitored regularly with blood tests. I'm not in a position where I can strong arm my doctor into getting regular blood testing for a supplement I'm taking, and you probably aren't either. So I'm definitely holding back for now. Okay. This caveat out of the way the evidence presented by this study is compelling enough that I am going to be seeking out edible sources that tend to be higher in lithium. Because lithium levels in food are so dependent upon the regional levels of lithium in the soil or water where they're cultivated or harvested. We don't have reliable sourcing from the grocery store, but it does appear that there are some foods that contain higher amounts of lithium than others. Mineral water can also be a high quality source, and it will also have additional minerals like magnesium and calcium that provide the balance that. Supplementing with lithium alone will never accomplish. So this is my reminder to drink more. Garl Steiner of note, Garl Steiner is a German mineral water and there are geothermal and rock deposits of lithium in Germany. So that's what I'm gonna go to whenever I see it in the grocery store. I'm gonna grab a bottle, bring it home. You may be able to test lithium levels in your water supply at home, and you'll have a higher, likelihood of finding positive results if you live in areas where there's granite, uh, history of volcanic activity, or if you're near any kind of geothermal hot spring. Additionally, seafood can be a really good source of lithium, especially from small filter feeding fish. Canned sardines and anchovies have been tested to have higher concentrations of lithium, especially in the gills and the organs. So canned small whole fish are definitely to be included in a brain protective menu. It's not just the omega threes that offer brain preservation. Most lithium from our food supply is going to come from cereal, grains, nuts and vegetables, especially potatoes, tomatoes, cilantro, and cabbage. Because most interest in lithium has come from a place of toxicity and not nutrition, and it is not yet even acknowledged as an essential micronutrient specific data on food sources of lithium and concentrations of lithium in food sources has been really, really difficult for me to find. Suffice it to say. What I have found indicates that. All of this is all the more reason to keep your vegetables and sardine intakes high and consistent. And maybe we need to stop being so afraid of some of those starchy carbs. Tuck into some quinoa porridge or oats this winter. Or if your health does not permit something like that, be sure to have a nice cabbage tomato stew. Or enjoy a Scandinavian snack of sardines on whole meal rye if possible, for the sake of your brain. Unlike supplementation, food and water sources are smaller in dose and they usually contain those other competing minerals that can help prevent imbalances. The great thing about food and mineral water as well is that there's no known toxicity with daily ingestion, and so that's why I'm gonna go to food first. Okay. The big takeaway here is that lithium is this quiet background mineral that we have totally overlooked until now, because the wellness world is too busy pushing mushroom coffee and keto diets for brain health, and pharmaceutical companies are not gonna be making billions off of trace minerals, so they have no interest in this. But in the brain, this. Quiet Trace Mineral may be pulling guard duty, protecting our memory, stabilizing neurocircuitry, and holding the line against decline. The research is still unfolding, but the story is clear. Sometimes the strongest shields for your brain matter come from the least expected places. All of this is a really promising piece in the dementia puzzle, and I, for one, am going to be on the lookout for more research on this mighty mineral. But the bottom line for today, folks, eat your damn vegetables, savor your seafood, and grab some whole grains. You'll get some lithium and a thousand other brains supporting nutrients to preserve your cognitive health. Drink some mineral water as well, harvested from mountainous or volcanic regions. When you are going out looking for mineral water specifically, look for the source. And seek out mineral waters from mountains, from springs, from volcanic regions of the world like Iceland. And these are more likely to contain some lithium in them, even though nobody's testing for that at this point in time. The other thing, don't go rogue with supplements without any kind of medical oversight. Lithium is not vitamin C. It is dangerous at high doses, and if you don't know what your existing lithium levels are, supplementing could be super problematic. Remember, in the study, researchers found that blood levels of lithium. We're equal regardless of whether or not someone had cognitive decline. It is lithium deficiency in the brain. That is the issue, and we don't have a way that I know of to test for that. So supplementing willy-nilly not a very good idea. At this time. We need to wait for more research to come out. Choose Food first, and folks, stay curious if the science holds the trace Minerals in your tap water may help guard your brain better than half of the overpriced tonics touted on Instagram. That's it for today. Stay salty, stay curious, and I'll see you next time. Any and all information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not to be misconstrued as offering medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not constitute a provider client relationship. Note, I'm not a doctor nor a nurse, and it is imperative that you utilize your brain and your medical team to make the best decisions for your own health. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked to this podcast. Are at the user's own risk. No information nor resources provided are intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Be a smart human and do not disregard or postpone obtaining medical advice for any medical condition you may have. Seek the assistance of your healthcare team for any such conditions and always do so before making any changes to your medical, nutrition or health plan.