From phone batteries to brain batteries: this trace mineral is the hottest talk in town. On August 6th, 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 (1). Uh, yeah, that’s worth unpacking.
So let’s do it!
The Case of the Missing Mineral: Lithium’s Brain Plot Twist
Every few months, a headline storms across your feed screaming: “Studies show X prevents Alzheimer’s!” 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 what we can take from it.
Lithium is a trace mineral in our food and our water. Most of the world’s sources are from briny waters or hard rock deposits in various areas of the world. It’s the major component in those lithium ion batteries we use in our phones, and has actually had a long-standing existing role in the treatment of some brain disorders. If the latest research is right, it may be a missing piece in protecting the brain as we age.
In this study, researchers were looking at the role of metals in brain health. They began by studying the level of several metals in the brains of deceased elders who had enrolled in the ROSMAP study (which I’ll discuss shortly) as well as from existing brain banks. Samples included those who died with no cognitive impairment and those who died with mild memory loss (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). They discovered a single metal that was ‘significantly reduced’ in the prefrontal cortex only in those with MCI or AD. However, there was no difference in blood concentrations between these two groups, indicating that this association cannot be detected through blood testing in living individuals.
The ROSMAP is a longitudinal, clinical–pathological study of ageing, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s Disease. Study participants have agreed to comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological evaluations each year and brain donation upon death. 21 cognitive-function tests were used and 11 tests were used to inform on clinical diagnoses. So researchers also had access to these cognitive function tests! They found that lower brain lithium levels were correlated with reduced cognitive test scores for episodic memory and long-term general knowledge. In those with AD, low lithium levels were associated with reduced scores in global cognitive function and episodic memory. Basically, when lithium went missing, memory followed, making this micro mineral appear to be a key player in cognitive health.
CSI: Cortex — When Plaques Kidnap Lithium
These researchers also discovered that the amyloid plaque in the brain had effectively ‘trapped’ lithium, as there were higher concentrations within the plaque, but a deficit in non-plaque brain tissue.
This information then took them to the mice. Using mice that are bred to have an outrageously high risk of AD, they found that the mice also had 3-4 fold concentrations of lithium in the amyloid plaque compared to their non-plaque brain tissue. When comparing these AD prone mice to wild-type mice, the non-plaque brain tissue of an AD type mouse had much lower concentrations of lithium compared to their wild cousins of the same age. From this information, the researchers have hypothesized that amyloid plaque effectively traps lithium, leaving low concentrations elsewhere in the brain.
As any thorough researcher will do, this team then did a study putting mice on a lithium-deficient diet. They found that lithium deficient diets accelerated the deposition of amyloid plaque and tau proteins in the AD mice and increased amyloid levels in aging wild mice as well. AD mice also performed more poorly in learning and long-term memory testing and wild mice showed signs of reduced memory retention when fed a low lithium diet. The research team concluded that lithium protects against memory loss in mice prone to AD as well as during normal aging in wild-type mice.
Then they went even further and looked at how the genes were impacted by lithium deficiency. That gets super technical, and so I will not get too much into it here, but you can see the link to the original research below to check out all the details. Suffice it to say, gene regulation and transcription was negatively impacted by a lack of lithium.
All this led to the researchers considering if lithium repletion would impact amyloid plaque and tau in the brains of mice. In mice with a predisposition to AD, lithium orotate (LiO) almost completely prevented amyloid plaque deposition and accumulation of tau protein formation in younger mice and reduced amyloid plaque by about 70% in older AD mice with existing significant plaque deposits. These mice almost completely reversed their memory loss.
This is pretty f-ing remarkable! I had to read and re-read that statement in the paper to make sure I was interpreting their claims accurately. Then I ran the original paragraph through chatGPT to translate it into layman’s terms and see if it would confirm my interpretation (which it did). This is one hell of an observation. And from my armchair academic standpoint, this research presented in this paper was incredibly thorough and well done.
In fact, upon seeing this data, they went back to their human brain tissue samples to see what the memory testing revealed when tied to lithium levels in human brain tissue. In looking at the human data, they did observe that higher lithium levels in the prefrontal cortex is associated with better testing scores on working memory and performance in those individuals who provided tissue samples upon death after having cognitive testing done in life.
The team noted in their discussion that there has been research done in Denmark showing a correlation between lithium in drinking water and reduced dementia, strengthening the observations they have seen in human brain tissue. (2)
So from mouse brains that bounce back, to human brains with higher lithium holding stronger memory, to whole populations in Denmark sipping lithium-laced water having less dementia, this looks a lot less like coincidence and more like a clue we can’t afford to ignore.
Spoiler Alert: Lithium Orotate is Not the Next Superfood
For a hot minute, I considered throwing some LiO into my Fullscript cart. So if you have already opened up your browser to do the same, I’m going to have you pause for a moment.
LiO showed remarkable results in mice, but this form of lithium has not yet been tested in human trials for this condition or the prevention of it. Additionally, we are looking at mice, which are not humans, and tissue from dead people, which none of us are.
Additionally, lithium is not like Vitamin C, where you can 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 as it can cause thyroid and kidney damage, and is generally not recommended for anyone having issues with either of these organs. (3)
From Nirvana to Neuroscience: Lithium’s Greatest Hits
Lithium’s no rookie to the brain health world. It’s actually psychiatry’s OG mood stabilizer. At prescription doses, lithium (in carbonate form) saves lives in bipolar disorder, reduces suicide risk, and sometimes helps with depression, schizophrenia, and even cluster headaches.
It’s also a bit of an anti-aging rock star: studies suggest lithium is linked to longer telomeres, boosted BDNF (aka brain fertilizer), and better mitochondrial mojo. (4,5)
So Nirvana wasn’t 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 Finnish study of individuals taking lithium for a mood or psychotic disorder for at least 3 years showed no evidence of dementia protection. (6) Since they are prescribed lithium in a different form, this may be the reason. Other studies show this form of lithium may in fact be protective, but there is usually the confounding variable of existing Bipolar Disorder, which itself increases dementia risk. Studies in the general population are more lacking and not as promising. Most clinical studies are using lithium carbonate at prescription doses, not the low-dose, over-the-counter lithium orotate found in supplements. We have not had human clinical trials showing LiO as being an effective treatment or preventative for cognitive decline and we’ve only just discovered that it is protective in mice in one study. This is why one cannot just load up the cart with supplements and think we are spared from dementia.
Mineral Musical Chairs: When Lithium Steals a Seat
So despite what appears to be overwhelming promise and high temptation, I am refraining from supplementation at this time. The lack of existing evidence is not the reason why, however. Here’s the primary reason:
Lithium, like most other minerals, competes for absorption in the body. Specifically, it competes for absorption with sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), and calcium (Ca²⁺). So adding in some lithium may disrupt the ability to utilize these minerals from the diet. If you’re a savvy listener, you may recognize that these minerals are electrolytes, which play an important role in heart health, blood pressure and are crucial for athletes as well. So there’s a situation where lithium supplementation could wreak havoc for an athlete during the summer, for someone with high blood pressure on a low-salt diet or a diuretic, or someone who isn’t already getting enough potassium or calcium from their diet (which is 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 severe cases, seizures or coma (3,7).
Even low-dose lithium orotate, marketed as “natural” and “safe”, has an evidence gap. The orotate form hasn’t been studied in large human clinical trials. Unlike lithium carbonate (the prescription form), it isn’t monitored regularly with blood tests. I’m not in a position where I can strongarm a doc into getting regular blood testing for a supplement I’m taking, so I’m holding back for now.
Eat Your Potatoes, Not Your Batteries
Caveat out of the way, the evidence presented by this study is compelling enough that I will be seeking out food sources which tend to be higher in lithium. Because lithium levels in food are so dependent upon regional levels of lithium in the soil or water where they are cultivated or harvested, there is not reliable sourcing from the grocery store, although some foods do contain higher amounts than others. Mineral water may also be a quality source, and will have additional minerals like magnesium and calcium to provide the balance that supplementation does not. So this is my reminder to drink more Gerolsteiner.
Of note, Gerolsteiner is a German mineral water, and there are geothermal and rock deposits of lithium in Germany. You may be able to test lithium levels in your water supply, and have a higher likelihood of finding positive results if you live in areas where there is granite, a history of volcanic activity, or geothermal hot springs.
Additionally, seafood can be a 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 organs. So canned small, whole fish are definitely to be included in a brain-protective menu. It’s not just those omega-3s which offer brain preservation! (8,9)
Most lithium from our food supply comes 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 it is not yet acknowledged as an essential micronutrient, specific data on food sources has been very difficult to find. (10,11)
Suffice it to say, there’s all the more reason to keep your vegetable and sardine intake high and consistent, and maybe we need to stop being afraid of some of those starchy carbs! So tuck into some quinoa porridge or oats this winter, have a nice cabbage tomato stew, and enjoy a Scandinavian snack of sardines on wholemeal rye for the sake of your brain!
Unlike supplementation, food and water sources are smaller in dose, often contain other competing minerals to prevent imbalances. They also have no known toxicity with daily ingestion.
Lithium: The Unsuspecting Grey Matter Guardian
The big takeaway here is that Lithium is likely an essential mineral we’ve 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 going to be making billions off a trace mineral. But in the brain, this quiet trace mineral may be pulling guard duty—protecting memory, stabilizing circuits, and holding the line against decline. The research is still unfolding, but the story is clear: sometimes the strongest shields for your grey matter come from the least expected places! It’s a 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?
Eat your damn vegetables, savor your seafood and grab some whole grains—you’ll get lithium and a thousand other brain-supporting nutrients. Drink some mineral water harvested from mountainous or volcanic regions!
Don’t go rogue with supplements without medical oversight. Lithium isn’t vitamin C; it can be dangerous at high doses.
Stay curious—if the science holds, the trace minerals in your tap water may help guard your brain better than half the overpriced tonics touted on Instagram.
Stay salty, stay curious, and I’ll be back soon!
More on Nutrition and Brain Health:
This is Your Brain on Nutrition
Can Your Diet Protect You From Alzheimer’s?
Nutrition and Brain Health part 2: What to Eat to Ease Depression and Anxiety
Protecting Your Brain Means Protecting Your Heart
Resources:
Yankner, B. et al. Lithium deficiency and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Nature (2025).
Kessing, L. V. et al. Association of lithium in drinking water with the incidence of dementia. JAMA Psychiatry 74, 1005–1010 (2017).
McKnight RF, Adida M, Budge K, Stockton S, Goodwin GM, Geddes JR. Lithium toxicity profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2012 Feb 25;379(9817):721-8. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61516-X. Epub 2012 Jan 20. PMID: 22265699.
Dwivedi, T., & Zhang, H. (2014). Lithium-induced neuroprotection is associated with epigenetic modification of specific BDNF gene promoter and altered expression of apoptotic-regulatory proteins. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2014.00457.
Shen, Y., Zhao, M., Zhao, P., Meng, L., Zhang, Y., Zhang, G., Taishi, Y., & Sun, L. (2024). Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of lithium in Alzheimer’s disease: repurposing an old class of drugs. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1408462.
Ponzer K, Millischer V, Schalling M, Gissler M, Lavebratt C, Backlund L. Lithium and risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia and venous thromboembolism. Bipolar Disord. 2023 Aug;25(5):391-401. doi: 10.1111/bdi.13300. Epub 2023 Jan 25. PMID: 36651280.
Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Lithium toxicity: Causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25207-lithium-toxicity
Thibon F, Weppe L, Vigier N, Churlaud C, Lacoue-Labarthe T, Metian M, Cherel Y, Bustamante P. Large-scale survey of lithium concentrations in marine organisms. Sci Total Environ. 2021 Jan 10;751:141453. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141453. Epub 2020 Aug 13. PMID: 32882547.
Yuzo Tamari, Kazuyuki Tsuchiya, Lithium Content of Fish in the Ocean: Investigation of raw, drying and canned fish available, Biomedical Research on Trace Elements, 2004, Volume 15, Issue 3, Pages 248-258, Released on J-STAGE April 08, 2005, Online ISSN 1880-1404, Print ISSN 0916-717X, https://doi.org/10.11299/brte.
Szklarska D, Rzymski P. Is Lithium a Micronutrient? From Biological Activity and Epidemiological Observation to Food Fortification. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2019 May;189(1):18-27. doi: 10.1007/s12011-018-1455-2. Epub 2018 Jul 31. PMID: 30066063; PMCID: PMC6443601.
Iordache AM, Voica C, Roba C, Nechita C. Lithium Content and Its Nutritional Beneficence, Dietary Intake, and Impact on Human Health in Edibles from the Romanian Market. Foods. 2024 Feb 16;13(4):592. doi: 10.3390/foods13040592. PMID: 38397569; PMCID: PMC10888284.
