Posted by Larry Hoover on September 2, 2003, at 14:15:50
In reply to Re: Lithium orotate » Larry Hoover, posted by Ame Sans Vie on September 2, 2003, at 12:18:55
> > Just so we're clear.....you're not substituting this stuff for a lithium carbonate prescription, are you? You're adding this in, as an elective augmentative, yes?
>
> Oh, absolutely. I've tried lithium once before and couldn't handle the side effects (i.e. tremors, acne, dry mouth, nausea). It *did* keep my anger in check, though. So I can only hope that their claims of lithium orotate being "free of side-effects" is at least partially true.It's not clear to me that the effects of this salt are purely those of lithium. The orotic acid might be doing something on its own.
> I am going to do some research of my own on this, but you would be the person to ask about it, I'm sure. What do you know about L.O.?
I did a mini-review of Serenity for Ron Hill a couple months ago (link in a sec), but he was considering taking it instead of lithium carbonate.
> Do the claims on their site seem to have any validity to them? I mean, for $13, I'll order it anyway and give it a shot, but I'm just curious as to your opinion. Thanks!
There's a lot more to the thread than my thoughts, fer sure, but here's what I thought about the site, last time around:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030530/msgs/230745.html
On re-reading what I wrote back then, I may not have emphasized strongly enough the concept of the dynamic equilibrium between intra-cellular (within) and inter-cellular (between) lithium concentrations, as well as the equilibrium between the inter-cellular space and the blood. Throughout the time that lithium is being absorbed from the gut, the kidneys are trying to excrete it. The blood flowing into the brain both passively (via diffusion) and actively (via transporters) supplies the various neural tissues with the ion. It has to be pumped into each neuron, but it constantly leaks back into the intra-cellular space, and back into the blood. Once back in the blood, the kidneys can get a kick at it, so there's a continuous decrease in concentration until your next dose. I just can't see how lithium orotate can possibly bypass these natural processes. Even the website acknowledges that blood lithium conentrations are very low on the orotate.
As an augment, I have no problem with lithium orotate. I'm interested in hearing all about your experiences with it. But as a substitute for lithium carbonate as a mood stabilizer, I don't think so.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:256198
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030902/msgs/256362.html