When the Twin Towers fell on 9/11, I was a young medical student in New York City. That day, I found myself on the front lines as a first responder, witnessing trauma at an unimaginable scale. The invisible scars I saw ignited a deep determination within me—not only to treat mental illness but to understand the root causes of suffering and find better solutions.
As my career progressed from Stony Brook University to Bellevue Hospital and teaching at NYU, I grew increasingly frustrated with the limits of conventional psychiatry, especially its reliance on high-dose medications with harsh side effects. This drove me to seek alternative, evidence-based approaches that could improve both mental and physical health. My journey took me from my Manhattan clinics to research collaborations around the world, including presenting my findings at Sweden’s prestigious Karolinska Institute.
Along the way, I discovered a surprising ally for long-term health: lithium, not in the form of high-dose psychiatric drugs, but as a low-dose nutrient essential for wellbeing.
The South Asian Health Crisis and a Trace Solution
South Asians today face a disproportionate burden of chronic illnesses. Rates of type 2 diabetes and heart disease are among the highest in the world for people of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan origin. Even more alarming, research shows a rising incidence of Alzheimer’s and dementia within our communities. Mental health struggles— often unspoken—are increasingly common under the pressures of modern life and have been stigmatized since ancient life.
While genetics play a role, environmental changes are significant drivers of epigenetics. The same soil that nourished our ancestors’ diets has been stripped of vital micronutrients by erosion and industrial farming. Pollution, economic stress, and processed diets have only compounded the damage. Drinking water is perhaps even more polluted and depleted.
I began to suspect that the absence of certain trace elements was worsening health outcomes. One trace mineral stood out: lithium.
Lithium: Dust of Stars, Salt of the Earth
Lithium is an element born from the Big Bang, present in nature as a trace mineral that dissolves in water and cycles through the environment. For centuries, people have sought mineral-rich spring waters for their reputed healing properties—waters often naturally rich in lithium. Even in ancient Greece, Galen prescribed lithium-rich baths for mood balance.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, lithiated waters were bottled and marketed as health tonics. The original 7-Up soda, introduced in 1929, was formulated as “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon Lime Soda” and contained lithium citrate for its mood-enhancing effects.
Traditional South Asian diets naturally provided microdoses of lithium. Whole grains, lentils, vegetables, and Himalayan rock salt once contained small but essential amounts of the mineral. But modern agricultural practices have stripped our soils of many trace nutrients. Today, the South Asian plate of food may be missing a key ingredient that once supported both physical and mental resilience. This is even more likely in the US, given the prevalence of industrial farming.
How Lithium Protects Mind and Body
I often call lithium “the hand of God”—a nod to its cosmic origins and its profound biological effects. At the cellular level, lithium acts as a neuroprotective and metabolic-regulating agent by inhibiting an enzyme known as GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase-3), which plays a role in aging, inflammation, and disease progression. The explorer Ponce De’Leon sought the Fountain of Youth and believed he had found it in Florida. Recent geologic exploration has proven the existence of lithium in that spring.
By modulating inflammation, lithium can influence conditions like:
- Diabetes & Metabolism: Lithium mimics insulin and supports energy regulation.
- Neurodegeneration & Cognitive Health: Lithium reduces Alzheimer’s risk and protects brain cells.
- Immune System & Viral Protection: Lithium strengthens immunity and has been shown to reduce inflammation in COVID-19 patients.
- Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: Areas with naturally higher lithium levels in drinking watershow lower suicide and violence rates.
In my own clinical practice, patients may be recommended the nutritional version OTC or prescription version of low dose of lithium (150mg of lithium carbonate per day). Both groups, especially those taking the prescription version, reported better sleep, sharper focus, and emotional resilience. It’s as if lithium fills in a missing puzzle piece that allows the brain and body to function optimally.
Replenishing a Lost Element in Our Diet
Historically, humans drank from natural rivers and wells that contained lithium. But modern water filtration and processed food diets have removed this essential nutrient. In India and across the diaspora, a shift toward refined foods has further reduced lithium intake.
The good news? Replenishing lithium is simple.
- Lithium-rich foods: Certain root vegetables, cereals, and mustard plants absorb lithium from the soil.
- Himalayan rock salt: This mineral-rich salt contains natural lithium in small doses.
- Supplements & Enhanced Water: Over-the-counter lithium supplements provide a controlled, safe dose of 1mg elemental per day or less (25mg of Lithium Orotate or less) —approximately 1/100th of the dosage typically prescribed for Bipolar Disorder.
I founded Third Element Water to provide a precise lithium-infused supplement alongside essential electrolytes and vitamins. Inspired by the Blue Zones, it replicates the mineral balance of the world’s healthiest waters and soil.
Embracing Lithium for Longevity and Wellness
My journey—from being a 9/11 first responder to spending over 20 years practicing psychiatry in Manhattan, serving in the US Navy as a Medical Officer, publishing peer reviewed papers on low dose lithium, founding Third Element Water, and now researching lithium’s benefits at Karolinska Institute—has taught me that modern health crises demand a return to foundational nutrition.
For South Asians facing rising rates of diabetes, dementia, and heart disease, low-dose lithium may offer a critical missing link. By replenishing lithium in safe, natural doses, we can fortify our brains against aging, steady our moods, and strengthen our bodies from within.
The call to action is clear:
• Educate yourself on the benefits of low dose lithium as a nutrient.
• Incorporate lithium-rich foods and natural salts into your diet.
• Consider low-dose lithium supplementation for cognitive and metabolic resilience.
By restoring lithium as a health-promoting nutrient, we bridge the wisdom of our past with the science of the future—ensuring that our minds stay sharp, our hearts stay strong, and our communities thrive for generations to come.
References:
- Neuropsychiatric Benefits: A comprehensive review highlighted that low-dose lithium might improve cognitive functions and mood stabilization, suggesting its promise as an adjunct treatment in neuropsychiatric conditions.
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health: Emerging evidence indicates that low-dose lithium supplementation may confer benefits for cardiovascular and metabolic functions, as well as exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Neuroprotection and Dementia Prevention: A study published in The British Journal of Psychiatryfound that areas with naturally higher lithium levels in drinking water had lower rates of dementia, suggesting lithium’s potential role in neuroprotection.
- Lithium’s Role in Mental and Physical Health: Lithium has been shown to impact inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a direct role in immune modulation and psychiatric stability.
- Lithium for Cognitive Longevity: Research indicates that maintaining low-dose lithium levels with resistance training was positively associated with greater gains in total muscle strength.
- Lithium for Addiction Recovery: A peer-reviewed study demonstrated that low-dose lithium significantly improved addiction recovery rates and overall health outcomes.
- Lithium’s Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Severe COVID: Research conducted by Dr. Gadh’s team demonstrated that lithium reduced inflammatory markers in severe COVID- 19 cases, supporting its broader role in immune regulation.
- Third Element Water – The Premier Low-Dose Lithium Supplement: Third Element Water provides an optimal blend of trace lithium and essential minerals, replicating the composition of Blue Zone waters for cognitive, immune, and metabolic health.
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this article/column are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of South Asian Herald.
