Nutrients & foods

Vitamins & minerals

Lithium

An element found in trace amounts in the environment and used in prescription medicines.

Updated September 17, 2026 · Educational reference

What it does

An element found in trace amounts in the environment and used in prescription medicines.

What symptoms can—and cannot—tell you

There is no established dietary deficiency syndrome for this specific botanical or compound. Symptoms are not evidence that you need this supplement.

Food sources

Trace amounts occur in water and food. This does not establish a need for a lithium supplement.

Supplement forms

Prescription lithium salts and over-the-counter lithium products have different uses and oversight.

Before taking a supplement

Prescription lithium requires blood-level, kidney and thyroid monitoring. Over-the-counter lithium is not an established nutritional treatment or interchangeable with prescribed lithium.

Questions for your visit

Could my diet, medicines, absorption or another condition explain my concern? What evidence would support treatment, and how would we check whether it helps?

Names you may see

Lithium

Sources & perspective

This is an editorial adaptation of the Purser Wellness nutrient reference app. Purser teaching connections are labeled separately from clinical interpretation. Private cases and individual treatment protocols are not reproduced.

Use the public resources below for additional context.

NCCIH: using dietary supplements wisely