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Inositol

This article provides general nutrition information only and is not medical advice.

Overview

Inositol is a vitamin-like substance. It is found in many plants and animals. It is also produced in the human body and can be made in a laboratory. Inositol can be found in many forms (called isomers). The most common forms are myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol.

Inositol is used to for metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It's also used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Vitamin-like substance

Primary Functions:

Metabolic Syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome

Also Known As:

Hexahydroxycyclohexane, Inose, Inosite, Inositol Monophosphate, Lipositol

How Does It Work?

Inositol might balance certain chemicals in the body to possibly help with mental conditions such as panic imbalance, low mood, and obsessive-compulsive imbalance. It might also help insulin work better. This might help with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome or diabetes during pregnancy.

Uses

  • Side effects caused by lithium. Taking inositol by mouth seems to improve psoriasis, a skin condition caused by lithium. But it doesn't seem to help psoriasis in people not taking lithium. Inositol doesn't seem to improve other side effects caused by lithium.
  • A grouping of concerns that increase the risk of diabetes, heart condition, and stroke (metabolic syndrome). Taking inositol with or without alpha-lipoic acid seems to improve insulin resistance, lipid balance, triglycerides, and cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.
  • A type of stress marked by episodes of intense fear (panic imbalance). Inositol shows some promise for controlling panic attacks and the fear of public places or open spaces (agoraphobia). One study found that inositol is as effective as a prescription medication. However, larger clinical studies are needed before inositol's effectiveness for panic attacks can be proven.
  • A hormonal imbalance that causes enlarged ovaries with cysts (polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS). Taking either D-chiro-inositol or myo-inositol by mouth seems to lower triglyceride and testosterone levels, decrease cardiovascular health, and improve the function of the ovaries in overweight or obese women with PCOS. Taking the two forms of inositol together seems to improve cardiovascular health, blood sugar, ovulation, and pregnancy rates better than taking either form alone.
  • Preterm birth. Taking inositol with folic acid during pregnancy seems to lower the chance of having a preterm birth when compared with folic acid alone in women who are at a higher chance of developing diabetes during pregnancy. It's unclear if inositol is helpful for preventing preterm birth in women who are not at risk for developing diabetes during pregnancy.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

  • For side effects caused by lithium: 6 grams of inositol has been taken daily.
  • For a grouping of concerns that increase the risk of diabetes, heart condition, and stroke (metabolic syndrome): 2 grams of a certain form of inositol (isomer myo-inositol) has been taken twice per day for one year.
  • For a type of stress marked by episodes of intense fear (panic imbalance): 12-18 grams of inositol has been taken daily.
  • For a hormonal imbalance that causes enlarged ovaries with cysts (polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS): 1000 to 1200 mg of a certain form of inositol (isomer D-chiro-inositol) has been used. Also, a product containing 4 grams of another form of inositol (isomer myo-inositol) plus 400 mcg of folic acid has been taken daily for up to 6 months. A combination of 550 mg of myo-inositol and 150 mg of D-chiro-inositol has also been taken twice daily for up to 12 weeks.
  • For preventing preterm birth: 2 grams of a certain form of inositol (isomer myo-inositol) plus 200 mg of folic acid has been taken twice daily throughout pregnancy. 1100 mg of myo-inositol plus 27.6 mg of another form of inositol (isomer D-chiro-inositol) and 400 mg of folic acid has been taken daily throughout pregnancy.

Inositol Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What is inositol supplement used for?

Inositol is used for diabetic nerve pain, panic imbalance, high lipid balance, sleep quality, cancer, low mood, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's condition, attention deficit-hyperactivity imbalance (focus), autism, promoting hair growth, a skin imbalance called psoriasis, and treating side effects of medical nutritional support with lithium.

What are the side effects of inositol?

Inositol is generally considered safe in adults. Side effects, if any, tend to be mild and may include nausea, stomach pain, tiredness, headache, and dizziness. Most side effects occur with doses greater than 12 g per day. The metabolic effects of inositol may not be appropriate for everyone.

How much inositol should I take?

Doses of 600 mg per day of D-chiro-inositol have been shown to improve insulin and androgen levels in lean women with PCOS

Can inositol be harmful?

It appears to be safe for most people and cause only mild if any side effects in daily doses up to 18 grams. While your diet likely contains small amounts of inositol, taking a supplement may prove beneficial for some.

Does inositol cause weight gain?

Weight gain, high blood sugar and undesirable lipid balance and triglyceride levels are also concerns with PCOS (16). Inositol supplements may improve PCOS concerns, particularly when combined with folic acid. They may also improve insulin function and slightly lower cardiovascular health in those with PCOS.

Does inositol increase estrogen?

Myo-inositol lowers testosterone, FSH, LH, lipid balance, and insulin resistance. Total testosterone, FSH and LH concentrations decreased while estrogen concentrations increased.

Can inositol cause hair loss?

The supplement is often touted as a help maintain for thinning hair and balding, but the research is lacking. There is some evidence that inositol helps to reduce testosterone and balance hormones in women with PCOS, which may help reverse thinning hair associated with the condition.

Who should take inositol?

Research suggests that inositol may aid people with mental health and metabolic conditions, such as panic imbalance, low mood, bipolar imbalance, polycystic ovary syndrome, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. It appears to be safe for most people and cause only mild if any side effects in daily doses up to 18 grams.

When should I take inositol morning or night?

Inositol works best in your system when it's taken regularly! Begin taking it daily to start getting the brain chemicals to balance out. The typical dose ranges anywhere from 500 mg to 2000 mg, which is . 5 grams to 2 grams per day, and it's best to take it at night a few hours before you go to bed.

Does inositol make you sleepy?

Inositol supplements seem to be well-tolerated by most people. However, mild side effects have been reported with doses of 12 grams per day or higher. These include nausea, gas, difficulty sleeping, headache, dizziness and tiredness.

Does inositol lower testosterone?

Taking either D-chiro-inositol or myo-inositol by mouth seems to lower triglyceride and testosterone levels, decrease cardiovascular health, and improve the function of the ovaries in overweight or obese women with PCOS.

Does inositol help hair growth?

The supplement is often touted as a help maintain for thinning hair and balding, but the research is lacking. There is some evidence that inositol helps to reduce testosterone and balance hormones in women with PCOS, which may help reverse thinning hair associated with the condition.

How long can you take inositol?

Also, a product containing 4 grams of another form of inositol (isomer myo-inositol) plus 400 mcg of folic acid has been taken daily for up to 6 months. A combination of 550 mg of myo-inositol and 150 mg of D-chiro-inositol has also been taken twice daily for up to 12 weeks.

What causes inositol deficiency?

However, inositol deficiency may arise through a plethora of different mechanisms—including reduced food-dependent intake, increased catabolism, and excretion, decreased biosynthesis, inhibition of intestinal and cellular uptake—and can significantly affect several human pathological conditions [66].

Does inositol give you energy?

Inositol supports your body's normal insulin processing mechanisms. Insulin allows our cells to take in glucose (sugar) and produce energy. When you eat, your body breaks down glucose in your bloodstream. Increasing glucose in your blood tells your pancreas to make insulin.

Where is inositol found naturally?

Inositol is a substance found naturally in cantaloupe, citrus fruit, and many fiber-rich foods (such as beans, brown rice, corn, sesame seeds, and wheat bran).

Does inositol help with weight loss?

Myo-inositol is a supplement that may lead to weight loss in women with PCOS. Inositol is a compound related to B vitamins that helps improve insulin sensitivity. Summary Myo-inositol and carnitine supplements may help women with PCOS lose weight and control certain concerns.

Does inositol help with stress?

It is a folk remedy for stress and sadness. Inositol has been shown in very small studies to be helpful for low mood and panic imbalance, and promising for nutritional support of obsessive-compulsive imbalance, eating imbalances and bipolar imbalance. Inositol is a part of our diet, and supplementation seems benign.

Does inositol increase serotonin?

Summary Inositol can affect the neurotransmitters in your brain, including serotonin. High doses may be beneficial for treating some forms of stress imbalances, such as panic imbalances.

What foods contain inositol?

Foods rich in inositol also offer fiber and nutrients needed for good, long-term health. This includes fruits, beans, grains, and nuts. Cantaloupe, oats, bran, and citrus fruits (other than lemons) are especially rich in myo-inositol. Cooking or freezing fruits and vegetables reduces their inositol content.

What B vitamin is inositol?

Inositol is often referred to as vitamin B8, but it is not actually a vitamin. It's a type of sugar that influences the insulin response and several hormones associated with mood and cognition.

Clinical Studies