The Science Behind VitalithMD® and Nutritional Lithium
VitalithMD® is a physician-formulated daily multivitamin and multimineral that includes omega-3s (EPA and DHA from fish oil) and 5 mg of lithium orotate per serving. Below, we explain what nutritional lithium is and how it differs from prescription lithium.
What is Nutritional Lithium?
Lithium is a naturally occurring trace mineral found in varying amounts in food and water, including grains, vegetables, and some mineral waters. How much lithium people get from food and drinking water depends on the local soil and water, so it varies widely from place to place. Researchers have estimated typical dietary intake at roughly 0.65 to 3.1 mg of lithium per day (Schrauzer, 2002).
"Nutritional lithium" describes lithium at these trace, food-like levels. No Daily Value has been established for lithium.
Nutritional Lithium vs. Prescription Lithium
Nutritional lithium and prescription lithium are two very different things. Prescription lithium, most often lithium carbonate, is a medication taken at much higher doses under a doctor's supervision with regular blood monitoring. Nutritional lithium is a tiny fraction of that amount, in the range people get from food and water.
| Nutritional Lithium | Prescription Lithium | |
| What It Is | A trace mineral found in food and water | A prescription medication |
| Typical Amount | Trace levels, in the range people get from food and water | Hundreds of milligrams of lithium carbonate per day |
| Common Form | Lithium orotate | Lithium carbonate |
| Oversight | Sold as a dietary supplement | Prescribed and monitored by a physician |
VitalithMD® is a dietary supplement, not a medication, and it is not a substitute for prescription lithium or any other prescribed medicine.
Lithium Orotate
Lithium orotate is lithium bound to orotic acid. Each serving of VitalithMD® contains 5 mg of lithium orotate. You can see every ingredient and amount on our Supplement Facts page.
How VitalithMD® is Formulated
Nutritional lithium is one part of a physician-formulated daily multivitamin and multimineral that also includes L-methylfolate, magnesium glycinate, vitamin K2 as MK-7, and omega-3s (EPA and DHA from fish oil). It is an excellent source of vitamins B6, B12 and folate. Lithium is included only at trace nutritional levels, and there are no proprietary blends.
Physician-Formulated by Elisa Medhus, M.D., VitalithMD's Founder
VitalithMD® was formulated by its founder, Elisa Medhus, M.D., a physician. Working with formulation and manufacturing experts, she developed a daily multivitamin and multimineral with nutritional lithium.
Read the full story of how VitalithMD® started.
Our Approach
We believe nutrition plays a supporting role in everyday wellness, always alongside, never in place of, guidance from your own healthcare provider.
Shop VitalithMD® Daily Multivitamin
Frequently Asked Questions
Is nutritional lithium the same as prescription lithium?
No. Prescription lithium is a medication used at much higher doses under medical supervision. Nutritional lithium refers to trace amounts similar to what people get from food and water. VitalithMD® contains lithium only at trace nutritional levels and is not a substitute for prescription lithium.
How much lithium is in VitalithMD®?
Each serving contains 5 mg of lithium orotate. See the full label on our Supplement Facts page.
What foods contain lithium?
Lithium is found in small amounts in foods such as grains, vegetables, eggs, dairy, and some mineral waters. Levels depend heavily on the soil and water where food is grown, so the same food can contain very different amounts in different regions.
Is lithium an essential mineral?
Not officially. No Daily Value or deficiency standard has been set for lithium.
Should I talk with my doctor first?
As with any supplement, talk with your healthcare provider before use, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, take prescription lithium or other medications, or have a medical condition, including kidney or thyroid concerns.
Has VitalithMD® itself been studied?
No. VitalithMD® itself has not been studied in clinical research.
References
Schrauzer GN. Lithium: occurrence, dietary intakes, nutritional essentiality. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2002;21(1):14-21. PubMed 11838882.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
