Study: “Lithium treatment extends human lifespan: findings from the UK Biobank”
Publisher: Aging
Published date: January 2023
PubMed link to study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36640269/
A recent study, drawing from expansive UK Biobank data, sheds new light on lithium and its potential to extend human lifespan, especially among those with mood disorders. It is a commonly used drug for treating mood disorders, but this research highlights a potential secondary benefit in extending human lifespan.
The study analyzed data from the UK Biobank, focusing on individuals prescribed lithium and their mortality rates compared to those taking other antipsychotics. Results indicated that lithium users had a significantly lower risk of death, suggesting potential life-extending properties. The research also references global studies linking higher natural lithium levels in drinking water with increased longevity, supporting the notion of lithium’s broad geroprotective effects.
Feel welcome to share your own thoughts on this research in the comment section below as well. I will be happy to discuss and learn more about how you see its potential in this field.
Lithium
Traditionally recognized for its mood-stabilizing effects, lithium has been a cornerstone in treating bipolar disorder and other affective disorders for over half a century. However, beyond its psychiatric applications, it appears to harbor geroprotective properties, which means it may help protect against aging.
Recently, researchers have started to explore lithium’s impact beyond mental health, particularly its potential to extend lifespan. This investigation was inspired by findings across various species, from nematodes to humans, where lithium appeared to influence longevity positively.
Research Methodology and Findings
The researchers used a large sample from the UK Biobank, encompassing data from 501,461 individuals. By integrating prescription data and mortality records, the study focused on those prescribed lithium and compared their survival rates to individuals treated with other psychotropic drugs. Advanced statistical techniques, including multivariate survival analyses and propensity score matching, were utilized to ensure the robustness of the findings.
The study found that lithium use was associated with a substantially lower mortality rate, suggesting an intriguing link to an increased lifespan. Although, it is important to remember that Lithium may help these patients live longer because they are suffering from a condition. Whether these data hold true in a broader healthy population is the real kicker, and hopefully further research will be conducted to demonstrate if that is the case.
Broader Epidemiological Insights
Beyond individual prescriptions for mood-disorder patients, the study also referenced epidemiological research that noted correlations between higher natural lithium concentrations in drinking water and greater human longevity.
These observations may suggest that low-dose lithium exposure could have a universally protective effect against the risks of aging.
Implications of the Findings
The findings suggest that lithium could have significant implications for public health, particularly in the context of aging populations. While the protective effects observed certainly warrant further investigation, they open the possibility of using it as a preventive measure in age-related health strategies.
In Summary
This research contributes to a growing body of literature suggesting that lithium, a common psychiatric medication, may also have significant geroprotective effects. As the global population ages, understanding and harnessing these properties could be crucial in enhancing healthspan and lifespan.
Further research in the form of randomized controlled trials in broader healthy populations is needed to confirm these benefits. Hopefully we will see this further research conducted in the near future as the potential of lithium appears quite exciting in the field of anti-aging.
