Lithium, a lightweight metal, is administered for a myriad of medicinal treatments, such as bipolar disorder, blood disorders and schizophrenia. However, you consume traces of lithium daily through your food and water intake. Because lithium occurs naturally in all rocks, erosion mobilizes this metal and causes it to enter the soil and water. Average consumption of lithium for an American adult ranges from 650 to 3,100 mcg per day, according to the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition."
Grains
Grain and vegetable consumption accounts for approximately 66 to 90 percent of your total lithium intake, according to the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition." Trace amounts of lithium are present in all grains, as grains absorb water and nutrients from the soil. However, some wheat may absorb greater amounts of lithium than others. For example, yeast absorbs limited amounts of lithium, while emmer and spelt grains, known as hulled wheat, tend to absorb greater amounts of lithium, according to the "International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition."
Vegetables
All plants absorb traces of lithium. According to the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," plant species possess varying degrees of tolerance for lithium. For example, plants growing citrus produce, like grapefruit or oranges, can only tolerate minimal amounts of lithium. Nightshade plants, such as those producing tomatoes, potatoes, chili peppers, bell peppers and eggplant, can tolerate and absorb high amounts of lithium. In general, diets high in vegetables contain more lithium than diets high in animal products. However, the quantity of lithium in the soil for a particular region dictates the amount of lithium available for vegetable absorption.
Water
Tap water contains varying amounts of lithium determined by the geographical region. For example, the ground water in northern Chile contains the highest lithium levels in the world, reaching as high as 5,170 mcg/L. According to a 2011 study published in the "British Journal of Psychiatry," geographical areas with high lithium levels in groundwater are linked to reduced rates of suicide. In a 1990 Texas study, counties with higher levels of lithium in tap water possessed lower rates of suicide than counties with lower levels of lithium in tap water.
Dairy and Meats
Animals consuming grains, vegetables or water ingest traces of lithium daily. Because lithium is stored in the tissues, organs, muscles and fats of animals, their byproducts contain quantities of lithium. Dairy and meat products, such as yogurt, milk, chicken, hamburgers and cheese, comprise approximately 224.5 mcg of the average American's daily lithium consumption, according to the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition." Lithium quantities present in animal products vary significantly based on the abundance of this metal in the water and soil of your geographical region.
References
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Lithium: Occurrence, Dietary Intakes, Nutritional Essentiality; G.N. Schrauzer; February 2002
- "Psychiatric News"; Higher Levels of Lithium Linked to Lower Suicide Rates; Joan Arehart-Treichel; June 2011
- "British Journal of Psychiatry"; Lithium in Drinking Water and Suicide Mortality; N.D. Kapsta, et al.; 2011
- MedlinePlus: Lithium
- "International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition"; Mineral Composition in Hulled Wheat Grains: A Comparison between Emmer and Spelt Accession; A.R. Piergiovanni, et al.; 1997
