YOUR BRAIN AND


IMPROVE BRAIN PERFORMANCE



By Dr. James Howenstine, MD.
May 5, 2004
NewsWithViews.com
Conventional medical thinking concerning the brain have always believed
that the brain steadily decreased in size with aging and that when brain
neurones (nerve cells) died they were lost forever. This explains why
elderly persons generally have slightly smaller brains than younger
individuals.
Preserving And Renewing Brain Cells With Lithium
Medical students are taught that there is a slow steady loss of brain
cells with aging culminating in gradual shrinkage of the brain. Lithium
has long been known to be an effective therapy for Bipolar Disorder
(manic depression) when taken in high doses.. However, recent research
has shown that low doses of lithium preserve and renew[1] brain cells.
Eight of ten persons given lithium showed an increase in brain grey
matter of 3 % after only 4 weeks. By promoting brain cell regeneration
and increasing brain size lithium can function as an anti-aging nutrient
for the brain.
Lithium also accomplishes the following benefits for brain cells:
Lithium enhances DNA replication which is the first step to formation of
new cells

The damaging effects of excitotoxins (monosodium glutamate (MSG),
aspartame (Nutrasweet) etc. can be blocked by lithium[2]

Animal research shows that lithium can decrease the areas of cell death
after induced strokes by 56 %.

Lithium protects rat brain cells from the increased levels of brain cell
death caused by anti-convulsant drugs (Dilantin phenytoin , Tegretol,
carbamazepine etc.)

Lithium may protect against adverse effects from mood altering drugs,
alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, 'uppers"and "downers", and marihuana all of
which cause brain damage with long term use.

Abnormally functioning signaling pathways may become repaired by lithium.


The aluminum felt to be a possible cause of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). is
chelated[3] by lithium so it can be more easily removed from the body.
Research has suggested that lithium blocks the secretion of beta-amyloid
in Alzheimer's disease and prevents damage from pre-existing beta
amyloid. Overactivity of the brain cell protein tau contributes to death
of neurones in Alzheimer's Disease. Lithium inhibits this tau protein
damage and the formation of the neurofibrillary tangles seen in AD.
Ten years of research by 27 counties in Texas disclosed that the
incidence of homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, arrests for drug
possession, and suicide[4] were higher in counties whose drinking water
contained little or no lithium. Counties whose drinking water naturally
contained higher amounts of lithium had significantly lower rates of all
these crimes. These counties with higher levels of lithium in their tap
water experienced fewer hospitalizations for homicides, mental
illness[5], psychosis, neurosis, schizophrenia, and personality disorder.
Low dosage lithium benefits alcoholism and mood disorders seen in heavy
users of alcohol and their relatives. This therapy is often obvious to
family members[6] when depression, premenstrual tension, temper flareups
and irritability cease affecting the individual. Lithium has been helpful
in reducing aggressive[7] behavior in children. High dosages of lithium
helped two adult women with severe anorexia nervosa[8] regain 26 and 20
pounds in six weeks. Both women experienced improvement in behavioral
problems.
Low dosages of lithium have been found to be safe.[9] Dr. Jonathan Wright
suggests 20 to 30 mg. of lithium aspartate or lithium orotate daily as an
appropriate dose to stop brain aging. This is 1/3 to 1/6 the dosage of
lithium carbonate used to treat manic depressive disorder. Dr. Hans
Nieper of Germany has learned that lithium orotate or lithium aspartate
penetrate cells more effectively than lithium carbonate so smaller doses
can be used. One tablespoon of flaxseed oil daily along with 400 I.U. of
vitamin E ensures that no lithium toxicity can develop. These lithium
products can be obtained from Tehama Clinic 425-264-0059.
Should Lithium Be Added To The Water Supply In The U.S.?
The answer is yes, particularly for parts of the country where lithium
water levels are low. Placing lithium in the water supply would almost
certainly lower crime rates and would also improve the productivity of
many emotionally troubled persons.
Is this likely to occur? Probably not because there is no large
corporation that would profit from the placing of lithium in water. To
understand the political environment surrounding an issue like this it is
important to have an awareness of how fluoride was placed in U.S. water
supplies.
Why did fluoride get placed in U.S. community water supplies? A
politically important industry (aluminum manufacture) had an enormous
problem disposing of the very toxic sodium fluoride created as a
byproduct of the production of aluminum. Other than use as a rat poison,
sodium fluoride had no economic value.
Was there any evidence that fluoride decreases the incidence of cavities?
No, not then or since then.
Were any studies conducted to verify if the placing of fluoride in the
water was safe for the American public? No.
Did anyone know how much fluoride should be added to water? No. The dose
selected one part per million[10] was selected arbitrarily. When the
legislation to place fluoride into U.S. water supplies was passed every
congressman had bottled water placed in their offices. A prominent
senator always carried a flask of spring water in his coat pocket when he
dined in a fashionable Washington restaurant. He stated to his dinner
companions " Not one drop of fluoridated water will ever pass my lips."
Such are the guardians of our nation. Since placing lithium in our water
could improve general health and decrease the need for pharmaceutical
drugs there is little possibility this will occur.
Preserving Brain Function
An interesting study was done in elderly nuns living in a convent to try
to ascertain what factors seem to contribute to declining brain function
in the elderly (dementia). What was discovered was that those who were
involved in activities that challenged the brain (learning new skills,
working crossword puzzles, playing chess, etc.) were less likely to
become demented than those who had no interests and were simply
vegetating. This fits with "use it or lose it concept regarding brain
function in the elderly" which appears to be valid.

www.naturalhealthteam.com  and phone 1-800-416-2806 U.S. Dr. Howenstine
can be reached at jimhow@r...