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Bismuth & Lithium: Although not related on the Periodic Table of the Elements, bismuth (Bi) and
lithium (Li) share left / right-sided cell receptors and may be considered essential to human health,
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although neither one has been officially designated to be essential at this time. Bismuth and lithium
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are biologically associated on a gastrointestinal and mental health level.
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While lithium is better known for its therapeutic properties with manic-depressive / bipolar disorder,
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both elements exert a similar effect on their respective chemical environment: Lithium in regard to
potassium / sodium balance (all right-sided cell receptors), and bismuth in regard to zinc / phosphorus
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balance (all left-sided cell receptors).
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Shared toxicity or overdose symptoms of bismuth and lithium include possible kidney or liver damage,
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staggering gait, tremor, mental confusion, hypoadrenalism (bismuth), hypothyroidism (lithium) among
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others. Magnesium can be used to treat lithium overdose, while calcium can be used to treat bismuth
overdose. In addition to treating patients with manic-depressive illness, lithium has also been used with
some success for Ménière's disease, Huntington's Chorea, and alcoholism.
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Raising below-normal levels of lithium or bismuth can, but does not have to produce any positive effects
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in regard to mental health since few lithium or bismuth-deficient individuals present with actual mental
illness, although some researchers claim that areas with the highest lithium levels in drinking water have
the lowest rates of homicides, and the lowest mental hospital admissions (those findings have not been
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officially accepted).
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When indeed indicated for bipolar disorder, patients typically present with low lithium levels and
excessively high sodium levels, in which case lithium provides a balancing effect, otherwise the
intake of higher amounts of lithium has a tendency to raise sodium, and frequently also potassium
(through its effect on kidney functions), as well as manganese (through its effect on liver functions),
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so there is a distinct biochemical conflict that has a genetic basis, otherwise everyone with low lithium
levels - which are actually quite common - would be suffering from manic-depressive episodes.
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Both - bismuth and lithium - frequently test low in patients who suffer from low stomach acid levels
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corresponding to upper (bismuth) and lower (lithium) parts of the stomach, and they are invariably
always low in those with an active infection of the Helicobacter Pylori bacterium, which is responsible
for some gastric ulcers and a number of other conditions (see also Acu-Cell Disorders "H. Pylori").
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Bismuth, through its antimicrobial action, is more appropriate for peptic involvement to inhibit H.Pylori
activity, where it supports an increase in upper stomach acid levels, while lithium is more indicated for
lower gastric / duodenal involvement, where it supports an increase in lower stomach acid levels. ¤
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Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) is the latest term replacing daily dietary reference values such as
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Adequate Intake (AI), Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), Estimated Average Requirements (EAR),
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Nutrient Reference Value (NRV), and Recommended Dietary Allowance / Intake (RDA / RDI).
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Bismuth: Lithium:
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DRI (RDA):NoneDRI (RDA):None
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Estimated daily intake of bismuth: 2mcg - 30mcg,Estimated daily intake of lithium: 30 - 100mcg+
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Therapeutic Range:50mcg - 525mg+Therapeutic Range:50mcg - 1500mg+
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______________________________________________________________________________
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Cellular / Intracellular Attributes and Interactions:
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Bismuth Synergists:Lithium Synergists:
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Germanium, iron, nickel, phosphorus, Silicon, manganese, cobalt, sodium, Vit D,
Vitamin D,*[Vitamin C],
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Bismuth Antagonists / Inhibitors:Lithium Antagonists / Inhibitors:
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Calcium, copper,Magnesium, chromium,
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*[inositol, caffeine, sodium, vanadium],
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* with chemical imbalances (bipolar disorder),
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Low Levels (Deficiency - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors) Therapeutic Indications:
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Bismuth:Lithium:
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Gastrointestinal disorders, low stomach acid,Gastrointestinal disorders, low stomach acid
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(upper part of stomach), heartburn, bloating,(lower part of stomach), heartburn, bloating,
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calcification, warts, diarrhea, gastric ulcers,Bipolar / manic-depressive disorder,
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High levels / Overdose / Toxicity / Negative Side Effects - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors:
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Bismuth:Lithium:
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Mental confusion, memory problems, tremors,Nausea, vomiting, weight gain, staggering gait,
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staggering gait, muscle twitching, slurring speech,hypothyroidism / goiter, tremors, liver disease,
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joint problems, hypoadrenalism, hearing and visualkidney disease, frequent urination, lethargy,
disturbances, hallucinations, coma,diarrhea, slurring speech, edema, death,
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______________________________________________________________________________
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Bismuth Sources:Lithium Sources:
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Water, foods, cosmetics, stomach remedies,Some mineral waters, seaweed, sugarcane. ¤
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General recommendations for nutritional supplementation: To avoid stomach problems and promote
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better tolerance, supplements should always be taken earlier, or in the middle of a larger meal. When
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taken on an empty stomach or after a meal, there is a greater risk of some tablets causing irritation, or
eventually erosion of the esophageal sphincter, resulting in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
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It is also advisable not to lie down immediately after taking any pills.
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When taking a very large daily amount of a single nutrient, it is better to split it up into smaller doses to
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not interfere with the absorption of other nutrients in food, or nutrients supplemented at lower amounts.
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Copyright © 2000-2008 Ronald RothAcu-Cell Nutrition: Lithium & Bismuth
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