Leena Watts
Lithium is a metal that is consumed in the diet, mainly in grains and vegetables. There are no specific dietary requirements while taking lithium, but it is important to maintain adequate water intake as well as a normal diet and salt intake. Sodium loss due to diarrhoea, illness, extreme sweating, or other causes may alter lithium levels. Foods that alkalinize the urine may increase the elimination of lithium from the body, potentially decreasing the actions of the drug. Lithium may cause sodium depletion, especially during initial therapy until consistent blood levels are achieved. A low-sodium (salt-restricted) diet can decrease lithium elimination, leading to increased lithium levels and risk of toxicity in lithium users who reduce their salt intake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lithium requires consistent monitoring | Maintain the right balance of lithium in the blood |
| Lithium may cause sodium depletion | Especially during initial therapy until consistent blood levels are achieved |
| Lithium may cause lithium toxicity | Risk of toxicity in lithium users who reduce their salt intake |
| Lithium levels | May be affected by dietary changes |
| Lithium levels | May be affected by caffeine |
| Lithium levels | May be affected by salt |
| Lithium levels | May be affected by sudden changes in sodium intake |
| Lithium levels | May be affected by sudden changes in salt intake |
| Lithium levels | May be affected by exercise |
| Lithium levels | May be affected by taking with food or milk |
What You'll Learn
Lithium patients should drink plenty of fluids
Lithium may cause sodium depletion, especially during initial therapy until consistent blood levels are achieved. A low-sodium (salt-restricted) diet can decrease lithium elimination, leading to increased lithium levels and risk of toxicity in lithium users who reduce their salt intake.
Drinking plenty of fluids is important for maintaining adequate water intake as well as a normal diet and salt intake. Sodium loss due to diarrhea, illness, extreme sweating, or other causes may alter lithium levels.
To minimize your chances of gastrointestinal side effects, take lithium with food or milk. Foods that alkalinize the urine may increase the elimination of lithium from the body, potentially decreasing the actions of the drug. Urine-alkalinizing foods include dairy products, nuts, fruits, vegetables (except corn and lentils), and others.
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Lithium patients should avoid foods that alkalinize the urine
Lithium therapy should maintain adequate water intake as well as a normal diet and salt intake. Sodium loss due to diarrhea, illness, extreme sweating, or other causes may alter lithium levels. A low-sodium (salt-restricted) diet can decrease lithium elimination, leading to increased lithium levels and risk of toxicity in lithium users who reduce their salt intake.
Lithium patients should avoid making sudden changes to their salt intake. A sudden decrease in sodium intake (a component of salt) may result in higher serum lithium levels, while a sudden increase in sodium might prompt your lithium levels to fall.
Lithium patients should avoid a low-sodium (low-salt) diet as this can increase the levels of lithium in your blood and increase the chance of getting side effects. The amount of fluid you drink is very important as it can affect the levels of lithium in your blood. Getting dehydrated will affect the levels, so it's good to drink plenty of fluids. Some people may put on weight when taking lithium. Try to eat well without increasing your portion sizes. Regular exercise can also help to keep your weight stable.
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Lithium patients should not make sudden changes to their salt intake
Lithium is a medication used for treating mental health disorders, such as bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, some forms of depression and blood disorders. Lithium requires consistent monitoring to ensure you maintain the right balance of lithium in the blood to avoid the dangerous condition of lithium toxicity. Dietary changes, particularly those containing caffeine and salt, may affect lithium levels and increase your risk of developing lithium toxicity. Salt consumption can cause fluctuations in serum lithium levels. While taking lithium, do not make sudden changes to your salt intake. A sudden decrease in sodium intake (a component of salt) may result in higher serum lithium levels, while a sudden increase in sodium might prompt your lithium levels to fall. Discuss any changes to sodium intake with your doctor prior to making them. Be cautious with your salt intake when using lithium. Lithium is a simple salt and is similar to table salt. A low-sodium (salt-restricted) diet can decrease lithium elimination, leading to increased lithium levels and risk of toxicity in lithium users who reduce their salt intake. People using lithium therapy should maintain adequate water intake as well as a normal diet and salt intake. Sodium loss due to diarrhea, illness, extreme sweating, or other causes may alter lithium levels. Drinking alcohol causes your body to lose water. Avoid alcohol when taking lithium. Alcohol works as a depressant on your central nervous system and may interact with lithium. Juices may impact the absorption of medications. There is limited evidence available regarding the compatibility of lithium and juices.
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Lithium patients should take lithium with food or milk
It is also important to maintain adequate water intake and a normal diet and salt intake while taking lithium. Sodium loss due to diarrhoea, illness, extreme sweating, or other causes may alter lithium levels. A low-sodium (salt-restricted) diet can decrease lithium elimination, leading to increased lithium levels and risk of toxicity in lithium users who reduce their salt intake.
However, it is important to note that dietary changes, particularly those containing caffeine and salt, may affect lithium levels and increase the risk of developing lithium toxicity. Salt consumption can cause fluctuations in serum lithium levels. While taking lithium, it is recommended to avoid making sudden changes to your salt intake. A sudden decrease in sodium intake may result in higher serum lithium levels, while a sudden increase in sodium might prompt your lithium levels to fall.
Additionally, foods that alkalinize the urine may increase the elimination of lithium from the body, potentially decreasing the actions of the drug. Urine-alkalinizing foods include dairy products, nuts, fruits, vegetables (except corn and lentils), and others.
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Lithium patients should maintain adequate water intake
Lithium may cause sodium depletion, especially during initial therapy until consistent blood levels are achieved. A low-sodium (salt-restricted) diet can decrease lithium elimination, leading to increased lithium levels and risk of toxicity in lithium users who reduce their salt intake.
Lithium requires consistent monitoring to ensure you maintain the right balance of lithium in the blood to avoid the dangerous condition of lithium toxicity. Dietary changes, particularly those containing caffeine and salt, may affect lithium levels and increase your risk of developing lithium toxicity. Salt consumption can cause fluctuations in serum lithium levels. While taking lithium, do not make sudden changes to your salt intake. A sudden decrease in sodium intake (a component of salt) may result in higher serum lithium levels, while a sudden increase in sodium might prompt your lithium levels to fall.
Dehydration may lead to high lithium levels, leaving you at risk for lithium toxicity. To minimize your chances of gastrointestinal side effects, take lithium with food or milk.
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Frequently asked questions
There are no specific dietary requirements while taking lithium. You can eat what you like but lithium requires consistent monitoring to ensure you maintain the right balance of lithium in the blood to avoid the dangerous condition of lithium toxicity.
Yes, you should be concerned about your sodium intake while taking lithium. Lithium may cause sodium depletion, especially during initial therapy until consistent blood levels are achieved. A low-sodium (salt-restricted) diet can decrease lithium elimination, leading to increased lithium levels and risk of toxicity in lithium users who reduce their salt intake.
Yes, you should be concerned about your caffeine intake while taking lithium. Dietary changes, particularly those containing caffeine and salt, may affect lithium levels and increase your risk of developing lithium toxicity.
Yes, you should be concerned about your water intake while taking lithium. Drink plenty of fluids, particularly during periods of prolonged or intense exercise. Dehydration may lead to high lithium levels, leaving you at risk for lithium toxicity.
Yes, you should be concerned about your diet while taking lithium. People using lithium therapy should maintain adequate water intake as well as a normal diet and salt intake. Sodium loss due to diarrhea, illness, extreme sweating, or other causes may alter lithium levels. Foods that alkalinize the urine may increase elimination of lithium from the body, potentially decreasing the actions of the drug.
