A subject field of over 800,000 people has get that higher levels of lithium in water tap water could cut the risk of dementia .
research worker in Denmark looked at the medical records of 73,731 citizenry with dementedness , and 733,653 citizenry without it . The scientist , from the University of Copenhagen , then test the body of water in 15 areas of the res publica for atomic number 3 .
They found that people with the highest degree of atomic number 3 in their water faucet water were 17 pct less probable to develop dementedness , suggesting that add together atomic number 3 to spigot water could be a agency of preventing the disease .
Lithium is a common metal find in imbibition water and food at low levels . atomic number 3 has love biologic force on the brain , and is presently used in much higher dosage as a mood stabilizer for people with bipolar disorder . However , this inquiry is the first to inquire the association between lithium in drinking water and the relative incidence of dementia .
“ This field of study fits well with previous evidence which shows that environmental Li may have wellness benefits and lithium may prevent dementedness , " Professor Allan Young of King ’s College London ’s Institute of Psychiatry , Psychology and Neuroscience toldScience Media Centre .
“ At a population level , the effects would be considerable as even if lithium only check the onrush of dementia by months for each person , over the nation that would amount to a lot of good for you months . ”
The researchers did n’t add supernumerary lithium to the water supply , but rather looked at the essence of varying levels of the metal already in water across the country . The findings were n’t as unproblematic as saying that increased levels of lithium led to less dementia , however .
The study , bring out inJAMA Psychiatry , found that where lithium levels were above 15 microgram per liter the risk was of dementia was lower . However , at restrained levels of between 5.1 and 10 micrograms , the risk of dementia actually increased by 22 percent , compare to lower levels .
Nevertheless , the researchers concluded that " long - term increased exposure to lithium in imbibition water may be associated with a lower relative incidence of dementia " .
The Alzheimer ’s Society ( AS ) called the study well - take , though they said further enquiry was necessitate before you add lithium to your dieting , especially as lithium can be toxic if you take too much .
" atomic number 3 trigger a routine of useful responses in brain cells that means , theoretically , it might shape as a treatment for Alzheimer ’s disease . However , despite some success in animate being , there has n’t been enough positive research of Li in masses with dementedness to yet convince us that it operate , " Dr James Pickett , header researcher at AS , enjoin in astatement .
' It ’s almost too good to be true that something as cheap and plentiful as Lithium might have a role in next bar of Alzheimer ’s disease . However , more research including clinical trials are call for , and until then we should not consider increase Li in drink water . '
