31P NMR was employed to examine the solution interactions of lithium and potassium ions with sodium phytate. The phytate molecular conformation was found to be pH and concentration dependent. The conformational equilibria of sodium phytate in aqueous solution was not affected by the addition of potassium ions, however, it was influenced by added lithium ions and was dependent on lithium ion concentration. Furthesmore, the phytate molecule showed some selectivity for lithium ion association over potassium and sodium ions. Possible implications in the physiological effects of lithium are discussed.