Common Mineral Drops Risk of Alzheimer's 600%?

Researchers say a simple, overlooked mineral could shield your brain from the ravages of aging, improve your mood, and even extend your life. What's more, it’s hiding in plain sight. This nutrient could be a game-changer in brain health and longevity, so why has it been ignored for so long? 

Key Takeaways

• Brain Protector Cognitive Booster – Lithium may significantly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, with some studies suggesting up to a 600% reduction in cognitive decline among certain populations.

• Anti-Inflammatory Powerhouse – By regulating harmful cytokines and calming overactive immune responses, lithium helps fight chronic brain inflammation, a major contributor to neurodegenerative diseases.

• Longevity Mood Benefits – Beyond brain health, lithium has been linked to increased lifespan, higher energy levels, and improved mood stability, making it a potential key to a longer and healthier life.

Scientists Discover a Natural Way to Protect Your Brain from Aging

A neglected supplemental mineral defends your brain cells as you age. It’s a shame so few people know about it. It can also improve your mood, boost personal energy and – perhaps -- even offer longer life expectancy.

According to James M. Greenblatt, MD, lithium gets just a fraction of the attention it should attract. He calls the mineral a "Cinderella" nutrient because it has been "neglected and ignored."

Shocking as it seems, there’s at least one study that shows that lithium, under certain circumstances, might drop your chances of Alzheimer’s by a whopping 600%. That’s no typo. A study in Brazil (admittedly, a small study) found that in older people who take antidepressants, taking lithium for that purpose dropped the chances of developing dementia and memory problems by a factor of six.

If you have bipolar depression or similar mood problems, your chances of Alzheimer’s and other cognitive difficulties are significantly increased. But it seems that taking lithium – often prescribed for these illnesses -- may be able to protect you against this risk.¹

Why hasn’t lithium won side acceptance as a daily supplement?

It could be because the public thinks of lithium as a drug for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It’s true that a form of lithium is prescribed by doctors for these ailments. But lithium is not a drug as such, it’s one of the basic elements of the periodic table. Healthy people can benefit from it just as we benefit from iron, copper, manganese, chromium and other metals.

In his book, Nutritional Lithium: A Cinderella Story, Dr. Greenblatt explains that the benefits of taking small amounts of lithium as a supplement are varied and without equal. He notes that it’s an "essential nutrient for promoting brain health." And it "protects and stimulates the brain in complicated, multi-faceted ways."²

Use It to Fight Inflammation

One of the most important cellular functions enhanced by lithium is protection against inflammation.

As I’ve often pointed out, chronic inflammation in any organ leads to serious damage. And persistent inflammation is especially problematic in brain tissue.

Dr. Greenblatt explains that when inflammation is limited to a brief time, it can help heal injured brain tissue by bringing in white blood cells and other healing elements. But uncontrolled inflammation that the body is unable to turn off sets the stage for problems like depression and Alzheimer's disease.

That’s why so much medical research is now aimed at figuring out what drives inflammatory processes in the brain’s neurons. Restricting these processes can improve brain health and keep neurons from being destroyed by overactive immune cells.

Cytokines are chemical messengers that travel through the body and tell the immune system to increase or decrease inflammation. Lithium can help ease inflammation by slowing the production of the inflammatory cytokines called interleukin-1B and tumor necrosis factor or TNF.

While it curbs cytokines, Dr. Greenblatt explains, lithium can also cut back the destructive actions of microglia, the immune scavenger cells that are supposed to clean up debris from the brain -- but which can become over-excited and injure neurons.

For example, research at Boston University shows that during the early development of Alzheimer’s disease, microglia can pick up tiny fibers of tau protein – a harmful substance that disrupts the function of neurons in the brain – and release them in a way that causes them to be absorbed by neurons.³

But there is some evidence that lithium prevents this destructive process.

This Doctor Asks, "What Are We Waiting For?"

Research in Brazil on animals shows that lithium taken during the early development of Alzheimer’s may "alter the pathological characteristics" of the disease. So, for Alzheimer's, which conventional medicine can't treat, the researchers believe lithium offers "new hope for the therapeutic treatment of this disease."⁴

Which leads James Phelps, who directs the Mood Disorders Program at Samaritan Mental Health in Corvallis, Oregon to ask, when it comes to using lithium for Alzheimer’s prevention – "What are we waiting for?"⁵

May Add Years to Your Life

Lab research into lithium's effects on the body also suggest that it may help people live longer.

A study at the University of London demonstrates that low doses of lithium help fruit flies live 16% longer. And the researchers think that lithium can have a similar effect in humans.⁵

The longevity benefit, they say, is partly related to the fact that lithium blocks the activity of a harmful molecule called GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase-3) a substance also thought to be involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.⁶

But the brain benefits don’t stop there: Along with blocking GSK-3, lithium may also play a part in keeping your brain from shrinking.

Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., a pioneer in natural medicine, says in the introduction to Dr. Greenblatt’s book that lithium has been shown to help keep your brain larger as you age.⁷

In the large "pharmaceutical" doses given to bipolar patients, lithium has serious side effects. But in the small doses advocated by Drs. Wright and Greenblatt, problems are rare. Best of all, lithium orotate, the preferred form, is readily available online.

Summary

Lithium, long associated with psychiatric treatments, is gaining recognition for its broader health benefits, especially in brain protection and longevity. Research suggests that small, safe doses of lithium can help reduce inflammation, protect neurons, and dramatically lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Despite its potential, lithium remains underappreciated due to its association with mental health disorders. Experts like Dr. James M. Greenblatt argue that lithium should be considered an essential nutrient, much like iron or magnesium, for its role in cognitive preservation and mood regulation. As studies continue to uncover its wide-ranging benefits, the question remains—why aren’t more people using lithium as a daily supplement?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lithium safe to take as a supplement?

Yes, in small doses, lithium is considered safe and is even naturally found in drinking water in some regions. Unlike pharmaceutical lithium used for bipolar disorder, nutritional lithium has minimal side effects.

How does lithium help prevent Alzheimer’s disease?

Lithium reduces inflammation, blocks harmful proteins like tau, and protects neurons from damage—key factors in Alzheimer’s prevention.

Can lithium improve mood and energy levels?

Yes, lithium has been shown to stabilize mood, enhance mental clarity, and even boost energy by regulating neurotransmitters and reducing oxidative stress.

Why is lithium not widely recommended as a supplement?

Lithium is commonly associated with psychiatric medications, leading to misconceptions about its use as a general health supplement.

What’s the best way to take lithium for brain health?

Lithium orotate is the most commonly recommended form for supplementation, available online or in health stores in low, safe doses.