Lithium Orotate (Advanced Research) Each bottle, 200 tablets, each tablet 120 mg lithium orotate (4.6 mg elemental lithium). This is a salt of lithium and orotic acid, which is also known as uracil- 6-carboxylic acid, a precursor in the formation of pyrimidine nucleotides (DNA building blocks).

The primary proponent is the late Dr. Hans Nieper of Germany. He had studied mineral delivery systems, including the orotates (and calcium EAP) since the 1970s. Nieper did extensive case-reporting of these products in people with conditions ranging from Lou Gehrigs disease (ALS) to chronic hepatitis and multiple sclerosis. Nieper claims orotic acid is like a stealth-mineral drug delivery system; being selectively and more readily taken in by certain parts of the cell. The numbers of patients on various protocols were relatively few but Nieper said results had been, sometimes to his surprise, encouraging. This is the same lithium used to treat "bipolar disorder" and other cognitive aberrations. Those are lithium carbonate or citrate forms used at higher, more toxic doses. However, due to the extremely low blood levels of lithium needed for absorption in the orotate form, there have been no reported toxicities from this form. Most of the toxicities related to other forms arise from the higher doses that are required because they are very poorly absorbed, increasing the risk of toxicities from excessive lithium intake.

DAAIR received several reports of dramatically reduced depression and mood stabilization using the orotate form. Nieper has also reported its use along with calcium orotate and claims it is a potent anti-inflammatory in liver cells. The idea here is not merely to add calcium or lithium, but to help normalize the electric potential found in cell membranes. Several people with Hep C (PWHCV) have tried this combination and noted approximately 50% reductions in liver enzymes after one month. Neiperís suggested protocol calls for a three month trial period to establish its full effect.

However, other than sparse anecdotal reports, there are few data to support or refute the idea that these compounds affect membrane potentials in humans or what effect that may have. Given that NIH steadfastly refuses to study these types of interventions, you might try doing your own n of 1 evaluation. (N refers to the number of people in a clinical study; n of 1 means you are it.)

Start by stabilizing your regimen and getting blood work on or about the same day you start the combo. For example, if you have moderately elevated liver enzymes, see if the combination of lithium and calcium orotates helps reduce them to normal levels; you could also follow your Hep C viral load, if any, to see if there is any reduction. According to Nieper, these changes should be apparent within 2 months of use.

One potential concern, however, is if long-term administration of orotates may increase cancer risk or damage to the kidneys. Orotic acid has been shown in a test tube study to enhance proliferation of tumorous cells. Whether this happens in humans is not at all clear at the dosages used by Nieper. A rat model used 1% of the ratís diet, resulting in liver cancer over five weeks; but that is also a significant amount of orotic acid, way beyond what humans use. Similarly, high doses (0.3 to 0.6 grams/kg!) resulted in damage to kidneys of tortured...er...treated cats. Still other test tube data suggest that exposure to orotic acid may increase the amount of uridine nucleotides while diminishing the pool of adenosine nucleotides. One must bear these concerns in mind, but overall, the risk seems relatively low.

WARNING: Do not forego mainstream medical treatment and inform your healthcare providers of your decision. They NEED to know what people are trying and one can only hope they will support your decision in the meaningful and scientific way of monitoring its effects. Do not use if you have hereditary orotic aciduria or ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. Do not use lithium orotate if you have a disorder of the heart or kidneys; do not use if pregnant or if using diuretics. Suggested use is 2-3 tablets per day, sometimes combined with Calcium Orotate 2-3 per day.