Kidney disease, dubbed a silent killer can be treated with lithium say experts. Around 10 crore people in India are suffering from kidney issues. Meanwhile, lithium is long known as a valuable treatment for bipolar disorder. However, lithium’s toxicity has always deterred its usage, even though it is easily available and inexpensive.

A study published in the Journal of Investigation claimed that low doses of lithium can slow down kidney aging and regulate its functions. Dr. Amit K. Devra, Director of Urology and Kidney Transplantation at Jaypee Hospital state that in experimental models of acute kidney failure or glomerular conditions, lithium has antiproteinuric, kidney protective and reparative effects for a shorter duration of therapy with low-dose value

Similar effects were visualized by researchers at the University of Toronto with lithium blocking GSK3-beta - an enzyme associated with cellular aging in the kidney and declining functions. Another study revealed that lithium helped about 16-18% of people to live longer in comparison to the control group. On the downside, it will be imperative to conclude the effectiveness of lithium without further studies and proof stated Dr. Devra.