Lithium in Mineral Water: Sources, Levels & Context
Updated: 1 day ago
# Lithium and Daily Requirements: Everything You Need to Know About Its Effects, Sources and Mineral Water
Note: The following information is drawn from public sources and is not intended as medical advice. Please always consult a doctor or a qualified professional for health-related questions.
What Is Lithium?
Lithium is a trace element found in the body in small amounts. It is not yet officially recognized as essential, so the German Nutrition Society (DGE) does not set a reference value for daily intake. Lithium is found in various tissues, including the kidneys, thyroid, bones, teeth, lymph nodes, liver, lungs and brain. Part of the body's lithium is bound to red blood cells.
Lithium as a Trace Element
Brain & Nervous System
Lithium plays a role in the brain and nervous system, including regulation of the body's internal clock via the suprachiasmatic nucleus. No physiological effect is implied here for the naturally occurring trace amounts of lithium found in mineral water.
Mental Wellbeing
Lithium occurs naturally in trace amounts in some mineral waters. Analysis values describe the water's content, but on their own don't support any general claim about health effects.
Metabolism and Immune System
Here, lithium is considered solely as a naturally occurring trace element and analysis value.
Natural Sources of Lithium
Food
Lithium is found in various foods. Here are a few examples:
| Food | Lithium Content |
|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| Eggs | approx. 12 µg/kg |
| Butter | approx. 12 µg/kg |
| Meat | approx. 12 µg/kg |
| Whole grains, vegetables (onions, garlic, potatoes) | 0.5–3.4 mg/kg |
| Milk | 0.5 mg/100 g |
| Chocolate | 0.5 mg/100 g |
Mineral Water and Spring Water
Lithium-rich mineral waters are one natural dietary source:
| Water | Lithium Content (mg/L) |
|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| Bad Mergentheimer Albertquelle (DE) | 11.8 |
| Vincentka (CZ) Vincentka | 8.6–9.0 |
| Bad Mergentheimer Karlsquelle | 4.9 |
| Staatl. Bad Kissinger Rakozy | 5.0 |
| Rogaska Donat MG | 3.3 |
| Preblauer Sonnenschein | 1.4 |
| Hirschquelle Mineralwasser | 1.31 |
| Bad Mergentheimer Wilhelmsquelle | 1.3 |
Note: Vincentka is one of the most lithium-rich waters in Europe and is also rich in iodine.
Lithium Analysis Values in Mineral Water: Daily Intake & Dosage
There's no officially defined daily requirement for lithium.
Caution: Overdosing
It's important to pay attention to dosage. Lithium poisoning from ordinary foods is practically impossible. However, large amounts of mineral water with a high lithium content can potentially cause symptoms such as tremors, seizures, dizziness, nausea, impaired kidney function or, in extreme cases, coma. Risks associated with lithium therapy include an underactive thyroid, impaired kidney function and an underactive parathyroid gland.
Expert Tip: Cell Check
Before considering a low-dose lithium prescription, you can have a cell check done with us. A medical assessment of lithium status is outside the scope of this article.
Conclusion
Lithium is a naturally occurring trace element; this article has focused on its occurrence and analysis values in mineral water. Vincentka and the Albertquelle are among the lithium-richest mineral waters in the table.
Note: This information is drawn from public sources and does not replace medical advice. Please consult a doctor or a qualified professional before taking lithium supplements or starting a mineral water course.
Further Information:
