08.23.17
As a prescription medication, the mineral lithium is used to treat bipolar disease and other mood disorders, but some may be surprised to learn that lithium is also sold as a dietary supplement—although in much lower doses than provided by medications. But do low-dose lithium supplements on the market really contain what they claim, and can they really improve mood? To find out, ConsumerLab.com, White Plains, NY, purchased and tested popular low-dose lithium supplements sold in the U.S., and carefully reviewed the clinical evidence.
The tests revealed that one product contained less lithium than listed on the label. Most of the selected supplements, which included lithium in capsule, tablet and liquid forms, contained their claimed amount of lithium, and passed ConsumerLab.com’s other tests of quality. However, the dose of lithium and cost of products varied widely: suggested daily serving sizes ranged from 0.05 mg to as much as 20 mg and the cost to get an equivalent amount of lithium ranged from just 8 cents to over $11.
In ConsumerLab.com's Low-Dose Lithium Supplements Review the company identified Top Picks among the products it Approved for quality. The new review includes test results and quality comparisons for the following 10 supplements, including nine selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com, and one supplement which passed the same testing through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program, as well as information about a product that is similar to one that passed testing: Advanced Research Lithium Orotate, American Biologics Lithium, Good State Health Solutions Ionic Lithium, KAL Lithium Orotate - Lemon Lime, Life Extension Memory Protect, Pure Encapsulations Lithium (Orotate) 5 mg, Solaray Lithium Aspartate 5 mg, Swanson Ultra Lithium Orotate, Vital Nutrients Lithium (Orotate) 20 mg, and Weyland Lithium Orotate 10 mg.
The report also includes the clinical evidence for low-dose lithium supplements and explains the differences between forms of lithium, including lithium orotate, lithium chloride, lithium aspartate, and lithium carbonate. It also provides tips for what to look for on labels, and important safety information about potential side effects and drug interactions.
The tests revealed that one product contained less lithium than listed on the label. Most of the selected supplements, which included lithium in capsule, tablet and liquid forms, contained their claimed amount of lithium, and passed ConsumerLab.com’s other tests of quality. However, the dose of lithium and cost of products varied widely: suggested daily serving sizes ranged from 0.05 mg to as much as 20 mg and the cost to get an equivalent amount of lithium ranged from just 8 cents to over $11.
In ConsumerLab.com's Low-Dose Lithium Supplements Review the company identified Top Picks among the products it Approved for quality. The new review includes test results and quality comparisons for the following 10 supplements, including nine selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com, and one supplement which passed the same testing through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program, as well as information about a product that is similar to one that passed testing: Advanced Research Lithium Orotate, American Biologics Lithium, Good State Health Solutions Ionic Lithium, KAL Lithium Orotate - Lemon Lime, Life Extension Memory Protect, Pure Encapsulations Lithium (Orotate) 5 mg, Solaray Lithium Aspartate 5 mg, Swanson Ultra Lithium Orotate, Vital Nutrients Lithium (Orotate) 20 mg, and Weyland Lithium Orotate 10 mg.
The report also includes the clinical evidence for low-dose lithium supplements and explains the differences between forms of lithium, including lithium orotate, lithium chloride, lithium aspartate, and lithium carbonate. It also provides tips for what to look for on labels, and important safety information about potential side effects and drug interactions.
