--- title: "Low-dose lithium uptake promotes longevity in humans and metazoans" description: "Low levels of lithium in drinking water are associated with lower mortality in humans and extend the lifespan of roundworms." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/lithium_longevity.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/lithium_longevity.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/lithium_longevity.html" type: "study" study_key: "lithium_longevity" journal: "Eur J Nutr" year: 2011 pmid: "21301855" doi: "10.1007/s00394-011-0171-x" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Low-dose lithium uptake promotes longevity in humans and metazoans [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Low-dose lithium uptake promotes longevity in humans and… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/lithium_longevity.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/lithium_longevity ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Eur J Nutr | | Year | 2011 | | PMID | [21301855](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21301855/) | | DOI | [10.1007/s00394-011-0171-x](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0171-x) | | Study key | lithium_longevity | ## Takeaway Low levels of lithium in drinking water are associated with lower mortality in humans and extend the lifespan of roundworms. ## The question Does low-dose lithium exposure affect mortality in metazoans and humans? ## Hypothesis Low-dose lithium exposure may affect mortality in both metazoans and mammals. ## Methods The study used weighted regression analysis on a large Japanese observational cohort to identify effects of tap water-derived lithium uptake on overall mortality. Separately, Caenorhabditis elegans (roundworms) were exposed to comparable lithium concentrations, and their mortality was quantified. ## Results In humans, an inverse correlation was found between drinking water lithium concentrations and all-cause mortality in 18 Japanese municipalities, involving 1,206,174 individuals. Exposure to a comparably low concentration of lithium chloride extended the lifespan of C. elegans. ## Conclusion Long-term low-dose exposure to lithium may have anti-aging capabilities and decreases mortality in evolutionarily distinct species. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > We find an inverse correlation between drinking water lithium concentrations and all-cause mortality in 18 neighbouring Japanese municipalities (1,206,174 individuals)... a comparably low concentration of lithium extends lifespan of C. elegans. ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | All-in-One Longevity Formulation | Emerging evidence | [NOVOS Core All-In-One Sachets](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/12.md) | | Lithium Orotate (low-dose) | Emerging evidence | [Lithium Orotate (5 mg)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/210.md) | ## Reference 1. **Low-dose lithium uptake promotes longevity in humans and metazoans** Eur J Nutr 2011 · [PMID 21301855](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21301855/) · [DOI 10.1007/s00394-011-0171-x](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0171-x) > We find an inverse correlation between drinking water lithium concentrations and all-cause mortality in 18 neighbouring Japanese municipalities (1,206,174 individuals)... a comparably low concentration of lithium extends lifespan of C. elegans. ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/lithium_longevity.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/lithium_longevity.html","name":"Low-dose lithium uptake promotes longevity in humans and metazoans","description":"Low levels of lithium in drinking water are associated with lower mortality in humans and extend the lifespan of roundworms.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/lithium_longevity.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Low-dose lithium uptake promotes longevity in humans and…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/lithium_longevity.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/lithium_longevity.html#study","name":"Low-dose lithium uptake promotes longevity in humans and metazoans","headline":"Low-dose lithium uptake promotes longevity in humans and metazoans","datePublished":"2011","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Eur J Nutr"},"identifier":"PMID:21301855","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21301855/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0171-x","abstract":"Low levels of lithium in drinking water are associated with lower mortality in humans and extend the lifespan of roundworms."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [NOVOS Core All-In-One Sachets](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/12.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Lithium Orotate (5 mg)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/210.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [The efficacy and safety of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation in…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/nmn_trial.md) - [Caloric restriction, resveratrol and melatonin: Role of SIRT1 and implications for aging…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/resv_sirt1.md) - [Induction of autophagy by spermidine promotes longevity.](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/spermidine_autophagy.md) - [Krebs cycle intermediates regulate DNA and histone methylation: epigenetic impact on the…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/akg_krebs.md) - [Supplementing Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in Older Adults Improves Glutathione…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glutathione_glynac.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).