Thursday 14 May 2009

It must be something in the water?


Lithium is a natural mineral (a metal in fact) which has a variety of uses. It is present in the batteries that power cameras and mobile phones and is often administered, under close and regular medical supervision, principally to people suffering from the profound mood disturbance of bi-polar disorder. Its effectiveness was discovered when Lithium was administered experimentally to a group of psychiatric patients in 1949. Interestingly, its impact when present in water was known (but not understood) in the second century A.D.
Like other metals, lithium is often present in small quantities in water supplies and a recent study from Japan has found a correlation between naturally present lithium levels and suicide rates in various communities across the area studied - the higher the levels the lower the incidence of suicidal attempts. While the levels were still very low, it was suggested that the “protective” effect accrued from accumulation in the body and its impact on the brain. A previous study from the 1980’s produced a similar result. What does this mean - should we maybe consider adding lithium to the water supply, like fluoride? You can read the fiull article at http://onthecouchwithsteve.com

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