Inositol

Inositol

Inositol is a vitamin-like chemical that occurs naturally in the body. It’s a primary component of all cells and body tissues. Inositol is involved in various biological processes including fat break down and metabolism, proper brain function, and liver detoxification. Because inositol is found in high concentrations in the brain where it facilitates chemical and electric signals between billions of cells, it has a significant impact on mood and cognition.

The most commonly available form of inositol is inositol hexaphosphate. Some other forms of inositol include inositol hexanicotinate, myo-inositol, inositol hexaniacinate, and D-chiro-inositol. The main sources of inositol are fiber rich foods that include wheat bran, brown rice, sesame seeds, beans, and corn. It is commonly taken in the form of nutritional supplements to help treat several health disorders.

Benefits of Inositol

Loading up on inositol has the following proven health benefits:

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Relief

In a study published in endocrine practice in year 2002, researchers found that women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome who were given 600 mg of D-chiro-inositol for 6 to 8 weeks experienced a significant improvement in symptoms including high levels of blood fat and high blood pressure.^[1]

Anxiety Relief

In a study published in 2001 in Clinical Psychopharmacology, researchers found that myo-inositol could be effective in the treatment of panic disorder. Twenty people suffering from panic disorder were given 18 grams of inositol for a month. In the next month, the patients were given 150 mg of fluvoxamine (a prescription drug). Researchers observed that inositol reduced the number of panic attacks by 4 per week compared to fluvoxamine.^[2]

Improved Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Levels

In a 2011 study, researchers found that postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome who took inositol for a period of 6 months experienced significant improvement in cholesterol and blood pressure levels.^[3] Additionally, these effects lowered the patients’ risk for heart disease and related deaths.

Improved Mood and Well-Being

In depressive and bipolar persons who have committed suicide, researchers found that their inositol concentrations in the brain seem to be low.^[4] In one clinical trial, inositol supplementation  at a dose of 12 grams per day in patients with depression resulted in a significant improvement in depressive symptoms as evidenced by better scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.^[5]  

Improved Blood Sugar Levels

Adequate intake of inositol may help prevent diabetes by ensuring proper blood sugar control. In postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome, researchers found that supplementation of 2,000 mg myo-inositol twice daily for six months significantly improved all clinical markers of blood sugar metabolism.^[6]

Lower Risk for Cancer

Several studies have shown that inositol hexaphosphate can help reduce the growth of cancer cells.^[7] Evidence suggests that inositol helps prevent cancer by inhibiting its reproduction and inducing cell cycle arrest to kill malignant cells.^[8-9]  

References:

1. Iuorno MJ, Jakubowicz DJ, Baillargeon JP, Dillon P, Gunn RD, Allan G, Nestler JE. “Effects of d-chiro-inositol in lean women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.” Endocr Pract. 2002 Nov-Dec;8(6):417-23.
2. Palatnik A, Frolov K, Fux M, Benjamin J. “Double-blind, controlled, crossover trial of inositol versus fluvoxamine for the treatment of panic disorder.” J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2001 Jun;21(3):335-9.
3. Giordano D, Corrado F, Santamaria A, Quattrone S, Pintaudi B, Di Benedetto A, D’Anna R. “Effects of myo-inositol supplementation in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome: a perspective, randomized, placebo-controlled study.” Menopause. 2011 Jan;18(1):102-4.
4. Shimon H, et al. Reduced frontal cortex inositol levels in postmortem brain of suicide victims and patients with bipolar disorder. Am J Psychiatry. (1997).
5. Levine J, et al Double-blind, controlled trial of inositol treatment of depression . Am J Psychiatry. (1995).
6. Giordano D, et al. Effects of myo-inositol supplementation in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome: a perspective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Menopause. (2011).
7. Vucenik I, Shamsuddin AM. “Cancer inhibition by inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) and inositol: from laboratory to clinic.” J Nutr. 2003 Nov;133(11 Suppl 1):3778S-3784S.
8. Vucenik I, Shamsuddin AM. Protection against cancer by dietary IP6 and inositol. Nutr Cancer. 2006;55(2):109-25.
9. Yang GY, Shamsuddin AM. IP6-induced growth inhibition and differentiation of HT-29 human colon cancer cells: involvement of intracellular inositol phosphates. Anticancer Res. 1995;15(6B):2479-87.