Edited by author 10-13-2009 09:57 AM
I just hope that whomever is on this site does find some peace b/c having a mental illness isn't easy. I chose the alternative medicine route b/c of side effects of prescription drugs. Thus far ashwagandha (adaptogenic herb) seems to have made the most noticable difference for me. If you care to know I take Organic India ashwagandha from vitacost.com. It probably saved my life b/c I have suicidal tendencies. I have been married for 5 years and our first child is due on 03/17/10 so I'd hate to leave my wife alone.

I can't believe how effective LiOr is for ADD. I'm a former "Ritalin head" and LiOr enabled me to completely stop taking it. I also want to mention Natural Calm and how effective it truley is for a multitude of symptoms.

I agree w/Jeff that Natural Calm is some good stuff. Thanks for the info.

My 14 year old daughter is currently on 600 mgs of Lithium Carbonate for mood stabilization. She has side effects from this and her taking such a potentially toxic drug makes me very nervous. I've done a lot of reading and research on natural alternatives, and found Lithium Orotate as a possible safer alternative for her. I'm pretty convinced this would work well, however I need a little more info on dosages. What would a good dosage amount be for someone age 14 weighing around 100 lbs? Can she go straight from the Lithium Carbonate to the Orotate or does she need to wean or taper off of one or otherwise transition between the meds? Thanks!

Edited by author 11-13-2009 02:22 PM
I can attest to Lithium oratates effectiveness. After 30 years of struggling with this illness, and fearing greatly the eventual kidney shut down and life on dialysis, amongst all the hospitilazations and drug therapies that have not worked, I have had excellent results with the organic form of lithium along with high doses of Omega 3 fatty acids, taurine and tyrosine, high protien diet and excercise. Proper sleep is also critical in mood disorders. I take 6-8 tabs of Monolith a day.

I would like to suggest the research of Joan Mathews Larson. Her book "Healing Depression Naturally" has been a life saver for me. I have been doing her program for 12 years. I have not been in the hospital since. I had previously had 7 hospitalizations and was headed for ECT and commitment when I found her work, by the grace of some higher power. I should also mention Carl Pfieffer, Hoffer, Braverman and Linus Pauling ...and not to forget Andrew Stoll...so many other people have helped those of us that were at one time hopeless.

Edited by author 11-19-2009 01:14 PM
Jennifer Rose!!!
100 lb 14 yo: Nutrient Carriers Advanced Research Lithium orotate: 1 tab morn. and 1 tab eve. for 2 wks along w/2-400mg magnesium(either Natural Calm powder or Carlson chelated magnesium tablets). If after 2wks & not the response desired increase to 1 LiOr tab w/each meal.
Nutrient Carriers Advance Research lithium orotate, Carlson chelated mag and Natural Calm can be found @ vitacost.com. Least expensive place to buy supps. Below links:

http://www.vitacost.com/Nutrient-Carriers-...ade-Lithium-Orotate.

http://www.vitacost.com/Carlson-Chelated-Magnesium.

http://www.vitacost.com/Peter-Gillham-Natu...pberry-Lemon-Flavor.

Edited by author 12-03-2009 10:06 AM
Lithium- soft, silver-white metal that belongs to the alkali metal group of chemical elements, used for mood stabilization in depressed or bipolar persons

Orotate ororotic acid- Manufactured naturally by intestinal flora, a buildup of orotic acid can lead to orotic aciduria, too much exposure to orotic acid or orotate can lead to DNA and RNA damage or inhibition, which can ultimately lead to mental retardation. ....scary right!??!

Avoid lithium orotate. It is much more dangerous than lithium carbonate because of the carrier that is used. Only 4.8 mg/kg of orotic acid caused mice to have significant changes and deformations in their DNA. In a study where mice were fed orotic acid as only 1 percent part of their diet for 3 weeks, the mice had immense DNA changes. It took another 3 weeks for the DNA to return back to normal.

 It's not the lithium that is dangerous. It's the carrier of the lithium: orotate. Do research on orotate and you'll find that in the doses in lithium orotate, the orotate is a neurotoxin, causing damage to the hypothalamus- the place where the most important activities in the brain take place (serotonin, dopamine, DNA etc. synthesis).

Last post is basically useless, sorry. No scientific evidence cited, including articles in refereed journals, etc. Is this entry simply the writer's opinion? This is the major problem with 'self prescribed' medications. I would not plan to completely avoid Lithium Orotate based on the last post.

Thx...

Ashwagandha is a wonderfully effective mood stabilizing herb. Highly recommended!!! Been on it for 2 years now. Planetary Formulas is the best brand.

This is from PubMed on lithium: The calculation indicated that lithium increased the synthesis rate of brain serotonin by about 80%. Moreover, chronic treatment with lithium salts also increased the levels of brain tryptophan by about 70%, suggesting that this could be the mechanism by which lithium stimulates serotonin synthesis.

This EXPLAINS the mood elevating (anti-depressant) properties of bio-available lithium orotate. I just found it interesting to know exactly why LiOr increases my mood or creates an absence of depression.

Edited by author 01-14-2010 06:44 PM
My daughter has been on lithium orotate several times. Every time she goes off of it she goes into a manic state and it takes drugs to bring her back. This time around she has weaned herself off by taking StemEnhance, lithium orotate and folic acid. She has been off of her meds for 6 weeks and is doing fine. Go to this site to learn about StemEnhance.
http:\\www.JanieTynes.com

I just started taking lithium orotate to help with my mood and anxiety, and so far it seems to be helping a little. My question is has anyone taking this gained weight like you would with lithium carbonate?

Thanks :)

My daughter has a weight problem to start with. Lithium orotate does not seem to impact her weight one way or another. If you are a female and had children, smoke, drank or even used street drugs or prescription drugs your body could have a folic acid deficiency. If you are not taking 800 mcg in a daily supplement…you may want try adding this vitamin.