Rubidium (Rb) belongs to the elemental group 1A of the periodic table, the same group as lithium, sodium, potassium and hydrogen. It is a naturally occurring mineral in the human body, estimated to contain 400–900 mg Rb. It is projected that on a weekly basis from dietary consumption 15–25 mg of Rb is absorption, while 20 mg is excreted, with a half-life of 30–60 days. Rb also has a history of reverting noted melancholy actions, including loss of pleasure of daily activities, lack of reactivity to positive news and events, deep feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, sleep disruptions, or persistent feeling of excessive or untimely guilt. In uremic patients (excess levels of amino acid and protein metabolism end products) undergoing dialysis treatment, a deficiency in Rb was discovered. The subjects in this study were determined to have a low dietary rubidium intake, and the extent of the deficiency was inversely correlated to the duration of the dialysis. Rb treatment lead to at least a partial correction of the defect.
The primary dietary source of Rb is red meat. In this study group it was noted that those patients who consumed processed and cured meats, such as salami, bresaola (aged salted beef), sausages and cured meats on a fairly regular basis had a higher serum levels of rubidium. These processed meats contain a high concentration of rubidium. Thus it was determined that Rb may be beneficial for patients who are undergoing dialysis, and have amino acid and protein imbalances, as a deficiency in Rb was observed in these patients.
Canavesea C, DeCostanzi E, Bergamo D, Sabbioni E, Stratta P. Rubidium, Salami and Depression. You Cannot Have Everything in Life. Blood Purif. 2008; 26:311–314. DOI: 10.1159/000129657.