Bismuth & Lithium
The information presented is based on Cellular trace mineral analysis - not Serum / Blood measurements.
RDA / DRI, synergists, antagonists, and additional deficiency / overdose / toxicity symptoms are listed at the bottom of the page.
Although not related on the Periodic Table of Elements, Bismuth (Bi) and Lithium (Li) share left / right-sided
cell receptors and may be considered essential to human health, although neither one has been officially des-
ignated to be essential at this time.
Bismuth and lithium are biologically associated on a gastrointestinal and mental health level. While lithium
is better known for its therapeutic properties with manic-depressive / bipolar disorder, 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 phosphorus / zinc balance (all left-sided cell receptors).
Shared toxicity / overdose symptoms of bismuth and lithium include kidney or liver damage, hypoadrenalism
(bismuth), hypothyroidism (lithium), mental confusion, staggering gait, tremor, memory problems, and 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 been used with some success
for Ménière's disease, Huntington's Chorea, and alcoholism. In animal models, lithium has been reported
to be beneficial for brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and ALS, (amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis), whereby recent clinical trials suggest hat lithium may stop the progression of ALS.
Raising below-normal levels of lithium or bismuth can, but does not have to produce any positive effects 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 officially
accepted).
When indeed indicated for bipolar disorder,12 patients typically present with low lithium levels and very
high sodium levels, whereby lithium provides a balancing effect. The intake of higher amounts of lithium has
a tendency to raise sodium, and frequently also potassium through its effect on kidney functions, and it has a
tendency to raise manganese through its effect on liver functions (which depresses thyroid activity), 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.
Regardless, it is estimated that lithium resolves Manic Depression in about one third of patients; it is said
to improve the lives of another third, and is ineffective for the rest.
Bismuth and lithium frequently test low in patients who suffer from low stomach acid levels 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
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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Cellular / Intracellular Attributes and Interactions:
Bismuth Synergists:
Germanium, iron, nickel, phosphorus,
Vitamin D.
Bismuth Antagonists / Inhibitors:
Calcium, copper.
Lithium Synergists:
Silicon, manganese, cobalt, sodium, Vitamin D,
* [Vitamin C].
Lithium Antagonists / Inhibitors:
Magnesium, chromium,
* [inositol, caffeine, sodium, vanadium].
* with chemical imbalances (bipolar disorder).
Low Levels (Deficiency - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors) Therapeutic Indications:
Lithium:
Gastrointestinal disorders, low stomach acid
(lower part of stomach), heartburn, bloating,
Bipolar / manic-depressive disorder.
Bismuth:
Gastrointestinal disorders, low stomach acid,
(upper part of stomach), heartburn, bloating,
calcification, warts, diarrhea, gastric ulcers.
High levels / Overdose / Toxicity / Negative Side Effects - Symptoms and/or Risk Factors:
Bismuth:
Mental confusion, tremors, kidney failure, colitis,
staggering gait, muscle twitching, slurring speech,
hypoadrenalism, encephalopathy, hearing / visual
disturbances, hallucinations, coma, death.
Lithium:
Nausea, vomiting, weight gain, staggering gait,
hypothyroidism / goiter, tremors, liver disease,
kidney disease, frequent urination, lethargy, edema,
diarrhea, slurring speech, brain damage, death.
Bismuth Sources:
Water, foods, cosmetics, stomach remedies. Derived
as a smelting by-product of various other metals.
Lithium Sources:
Some mineral waters, seaweed, fish, sugarcane,
nightshade plants, milk, eggs, meat. ¤
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General recommendations for nutritional supplementation: To avoid stomach problems and improve tolerance,
supplements should be taken earlier, or in the middle of a larger meal. When 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). It is also advisable not to lie down right after
taking pills. When taking a large daily amount of a single nutrient, it is better to split it up into smaller doses
to not interfere with the absorption of other nutrients in food, or nutrients supplemented at lower amounts.
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Copyright © 2000-2012 Acu-Cell Nutrition - Lithium & Bismuth
Acu-Cell Nutrition
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2012 Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) - Adequate Intake (AI) - Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)
Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) - Recommended Dietary Allowance / Intake (RDA / RDI)
Bismuth:
DRI (RDA): none
0-12 months
1-10 years
11-18 years males
19 + years males
11-18 years females
19 + years females
pregnant / lactating
suggested:
25 mcg - 100 mcg
25 mcg - 100 mcg
25 mcg - 100 mcg
25 mcg - 100 mcg
25 mcg - 50 mcg
Lithium:
DRI (RDA): none
0-12 months
1-10 years
11-18 years males
19 + years males
11-18 years females
19 + years females
pregnant / lactating
Estimated daily intake of Bismuth from food and
water is 2 mcg - 30 mcg / day.
UL: n/a
Therapeutic Range: 524mg - 4,200mg
Best time to take Bismuth: Anytime - as needed;
with food / after meals (preferably), or without food.
suggested:
1,000 mcg
1,000 mcg
1,000 mcg
1,000 mcg
1,000 mcg
1mg = 1,000 mcg
UL: n/a
Therapeutic Range: 400mg - 2,400 mg
Best time to take Lithium: Anytime - as prescribed,
or by tolerance, with food.
Estimated daily intake of Lithium from food and
water is 500 mcg - 3,000 mcg / day.
The intake of therapeutic levels of Bismuth and Lithium is contraindicated during pregnancy & breastfeeding.
Bismuth
Lithium
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Updated: 15. Jan. 2012