Lithium orotate

Lithium has been used medicinally since the 19th century. The first reports of its use date back to the 1840s, when it was used to treat gout—back then based on the theory that excess uric acid caused many diseases. From the 1940s onwards, lithium was increasingly used to treat mood disorders , particularly bipolar disorder . Modern psychiatry has since considered lithium one of the first effective mood stabilizers . Lithium orotate as a specific compound became popular in the 1970s, particularly through the work of physician Dr. Hans Nieper, who recommended it as a well-tolerated and low-dose form of lithium.

How is lithium used?

The use of lithium depends heavily on the specific compound and its intended purpose. While high-dose lithium salts such as lithium carbonate are used exclusively on prescription and under medical supervision, lithium orotate is also used as a low-dose dietary supplement in some countries.

Important note: Lithium orotate is not approved as a dietary supplement in Germany or the European Union and should not be consumed . Our lithium orotate is offered exclusively for laboratory use.

Medical use (not lithium orotate):
Lithium has been used in medicine for decades to treat bipolar disorder and other affective disorders. It is administered orally in the form of lithium carbonate or citrate and requires regular blood level monitoring , as the therapeutic dose is close to the toxic limit.

Non-medical uses of lithium orotate (international):
In some countries outside the EU, lithium orotate is used as a low-dose dietary supplement , usually in tablet form containing very small amounts of elemental lithium (approximately 1–5 mg per dose). It is primarily used there to stabilize mood , treat anxiety , or support cognitive function .

Important note: Lithium orotate is not approved as a dietary supplement in Germany or the European Union and should not be consumed . Our lithium orotate is offered exclusively for laboratory use.

The safety of lithium depends heavily on the form, dosage, and intended use. In medicine, lithium salts such as lithium carbonate or citrate have been used for decades to treat bipolar disorder—although under strict medical supervision and with regular blood tests, as the therapeutic dose is close to the toxic limit.

Outside the EU, lithium orotate is used as a dietary supplement in very low doses. These amounts are significantly below medical dosages.

Special care should be taken with:

• impaired kidney function
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• taking other medications at the same time

If in doubt, you should always seek medical advice.

Not all lithium is created equal – there are significant differences depending on the chemical compound, intended use, and degree of purity. These affect both bioavailability , i.e., how well the body can absorb the lithium, as well as its application and legality .

🔬 Various lithium compounds:

Lithium carbonate:
Used medically to treat bipolar disorder. It requires a prescription and close blood monitoring. This compound contains a relatively high amount of elemental lithium.

Lithium citrate:
Also used medicinally, often in liquid form. Slightly better tolerated by the stomach than lithium carbonate, but with similar monitoring and dosage requirements.

Lithium orotate:
It is sold in very low doses outside the EU as a dietary supplement. It contains significantly less elemental lithium, but users believe that the orotic acid may facilitate its penetration into cells. Scientific evidence for this is currently limited.

🧪 Purity levels and quality:

This form meets the highest purity standards and is approved for medical applications. Independent analysis (e.g., a COA – Certificate of Analysis) confirms its quality.

Suitable for research and experimental purposes, but not intended for ingestion. These substances may contain traces of contaminants that are unsafe for human consumption.

Used for industrial processes, for example in batteries or glass production.

Important: For any application, only pharmaceutical grade with tested purity should be used.

Lithium in its pure form is a stable substance. However, its shelf life depends largely on the specific compound , dosage form , and storage .

In the case of lithium orotate , dissolved in water and filled into a light-protected brown glass bottle , the compound generally remains stable for many months if properly stored.

✅ Storage instructions:

Storage at room temperature is recommended as long as the product is not exposed to direct sunlight or excessive heat .

The use of amber glass protects against UV radiation, which can degrade sensitive materials. Direct moisture should be avoided to prevent microbial contamination.

To maintain quality, the bottle should always be tightly closed and kept clean. With hygienic handling, the product will generally remain stable for several months after opening.

Important note: Lithium orotate is not approved as a dietary supplement in Germany or the European Union and should not be consumed . Our lithium orotate is offered exclusively for laboratory use.

The dosage of lithium depends largely on the intended use of the lithium compound . A basic distinction is made between high-dose medical therapy and the low-dose use as a dietary supplement, which is permitted in some countries.

🏥 Medical use in psychiatric disorders:

For severe mental illnesses, particularly bipolar disorders , lithium (e.g., as lithium carbonate) is used in significantly higher doses. The goal is to achieve a therapeutic blood level that stabilizes mood. This often results in levels just below the toxicity threshold , which is why regular medical monitoring of blood values ​​is essential. This treatment requires a prescription and may only be performed under medical supervision.

🌿 Low-dose use (outside the EU):

In some countries – such as the USA – lithium orotate is available as a dietary supplement in very low doses (often 1–5 mg of elemental lithium per day). These amounts are well below the medically used doses and are not intended to achieve therapeutic blood levels, but rather to provide possible gentle support for mood, stress resistance, or cognitive function . Scientific data on the efficacy of these microdoses is currently limited.

Important note: Lithium orotate is not approved as a dietary supplement in Germany or the European Union and should not be consumed . Our lithium orotate is offered exclusively for laboratory use.

⚠️ Safety first:

For healthy individuals without a psychiatric diagnosis, there is neither the need nor the safety of administering high doses of lithium. An overdose can lead to serious side effects, including tremors, kidney strain, neurological disorders, and, in extreme cases, lithium poisoning. Therefore, lithium should always be used responsibly, in consultation with physicians, and in accordance with legal regulations.

Important note: Lithium orotate is not approved as a dietary supplement in Germany or the European Union and should not be consumed . Our lithium orotate is offered exclusively for laboratory use.

Study: Long-term efficacy of lithium in bipolar disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

This comprehensive meta-analysis evaluated several long-term studies involving thousands of patients. The result: lithium was significantly more effective than placebo and could prevent both depressive and manic episodes.

The relapse rate under lithium decreased significantly, and patients showed long-term mood stabilization – without the negative emotional fluctuations typical of bipolar disorder.

📚 Conclusion: Lithium is still considered the gold standard in relapse prevention in bipolar disorders – with long-standing proven effectiveness.

🔗 About the study

Important note: Lithium orotate is not approved as a dietary supplement in Germany or the European Union and should not be consumed . Our lithium orotate is offered exclusively for laboratory use.

Study: Lithium in the prevention of suicide in mood disorders: updated systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review from the British Medical Journal (BMJ) impressively shows that people with affective disorders (e.g. depression or bipolar disorder) who take lithium may have a significantly lower risk of suicide and unexplained deaths .

The protective effect could be attributed not only to the stabilization of mood, but also to a possible reduction of impulsivity and aggression .

📚 Conclusion: Lithium could be one of the few known drugs with proven suicide-preventive effects – an aspect that could also gain importance in the public health debate.

🔗 About the study

Important note: Lithium orotate is not approved as a dietary supplement in Germany or the European Union and should not be consumed . Our lithium orotate is offered exclusively for laboratory use.

Study: Prophylactic use of lithium in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a randomized, double-blind study

This double-blind human study was conducted on older adults with MCI (mild cognitive impairment) – the early stages of cognitive impairment that often precede Alzheimer's disease.

Participants received low-dose lithium for two years. While the placebo group showed typical memory decline, cognitive function remained largely stable in the lithium group . Biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid also indicated slowed Alzheimer's disease progression.

📚 Conclusion: Lithium could play a preventive role in the aging process of the brain even outside of psychiatric applications.

🔗 About the study

Important note: Lithium orotate is not approved as a dietary supplement in Germany or the European Union and should not be consumed . Our lithium orotate is offered exclusively for laboratory use.

Study: Lithium increases hippocampal volume in bipolar patients: longitudinal MRI evidence

The hippocampus is a central brain region for memory and learning – and is particularly vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. This long-term MRI study with bipolar patients showed that, under lithium therapy, hippocampal volume not only remained stable but even increased slightly .

In addition, memory performance improved in some participants, which could indicate neuroprotective effects of lithium.

📚 Conclusion: Lithium not only seems to alleviate symptoms, but could also have a positive effect on structural changes in the brain .

🔗 About the study