Is Lithium Deficiency Causing Alzheimer’s?

Most people only think of lithium as a psychiatric drug used for bipolar disorder.

But new research suggests lithium may actually play a much deeper, physiological role in the brain—and its deficiency could accelerate Alzheimer’s disease.

In a study from Harvard Medical School, researchers measured 27 trace metals in postmortem brain tissue.

Of all the metals studied, only lithium was significantly reduced in the prefrontal cortex of people with:

• Amnestic mild cognitive impairment

• Alzheimer’s disease

This was true across both men and women.

In mouse experiments, lithium deficiency accelerated brain aging:

• Higher amyloid-beta buildup

• More phosphorylated tau

• Faster synaptic loss

• Earlier cognitive decline

Even more fascinating, amyloid plaques seemed to draw in and trap lithium from surrounding tissue—like a sponge.

When researchers tried standard lithium carbonate, it got trapped by amyloid plaques.

But a different form, lithium orotate, bypassed the trap and actually restored memory in the mice.

Why does this matter?

• Lithium naturally occurs in tiny amounts in our blood and brain.

• It may function as a signaling ion—a trace mineral critical for maintaining cognitive health.

• Normal aging could impair the regulation of lithium in the brain, leaving us vulnerable.

This also explains why regions with naturally higher lithium in drinking water (like Denmark) have seen lower rates of dementia.

⚠️ Important note: these findings don’t mean you should start supplementing lithium. Clinical trials are needed before any safe recommendations can be made.

But what it does prove is that trace minerals matter. Just like copper, zinc, or magnesium, lithium appears to have a role in brain function, aging, and vulnerability to disease.

When we overlook them, we miss some of the most important levers for protecting our health.

Until next time,

Kashif Khan

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