Buy Inositol Online – Which Supplement is Best?

Inositol is a nutrient that plays an important role in cellular signalling and has been linked to mood regulation, insulin sensitivity and female fertility. Inositol is a pseudovitamin, previously included as a B-complex vitamin, that is found in every eukaryotic cell, from yeast to the most complex mammals.

Consumers buy inositol for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premenstrual syndrome (PMNS), female infertility, depression, acne, anxiety, and more. Depending on your reason for using this supplement, you may need to purchase a different type of inositol.

There are nine known forms of Inositol called stereoisomers. Stereoisomers are compounds that are the same molecularly; differing only in atomic spatial arrangement.

Of the nine forms, myo-inositol is the most prevalent by far; so much so that laypersons and healthcare professionals alike use both the terms interchangeably. You can also buy D-Chiro-Inositol or Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) supplements, depending on your needs.

Inositol

Nutrient Supplement

Brain Health

Mood

Weight Loss

How It Works:

• Supports brain & liver health
• Involved in mood regulation & nerve signalling
• Improves insulin sensitivity for PCOS, fertility & weight loss

Dosage:

Between 500 mg - 18 g per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Buy Inositol Online

Inositol is regulated as a dietary supplement in the United States and in most countries around the world. The FDA has not approved Inositol as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

This natural nutrient is found in a number of common food sources and can be synthesized within the body.

As a supplement, inositol is sold in either bulk powder form or in capsules. Some users find the bulk powder more convenient, especially when using high dosages of this product. The powder has a sweet taste and can be mixed into smoothies or other drinks.

You can buy Inositol capsules in 500 mg, 750 mg or 1000 mg dosages. The number of capsules you use in a given day will depend on your individual needs and should be decided on with the help of a doctor.

The cost of inositol is quite low as a supplement, with a price per serving between $0.10 to $0.25 per day, depending on the source used. Bulk powders tend to be more cost-effective.

Inositol supplements generally contain myo-inositol, the most prevalent form of this nutrient found in nature. However, you can also buy d-chiro-inositol in a single-ingredient formulation or in a combination product with myo-inositol. Inositol Hexaphosphate and Inositol Nicotinate are two other available formualtions.

Another popular option is purchasing a Choline and Inositol supplement. These nutrients work together to transport fats through the liver and are frequently combined for liver health, weight loss or brain health applications.

Why Buy Inositol Supplements?

Inositol has been widely researched for its roles in human health. Because it is present in every single cell in our body, deficiency in inositol can have a wide-ranging negative effect on health.

Our body can synthesize this nutrient, which means that deficiency is rare, however it can occur under certain circumstances (i.e. long term sulfa antibiotic or lithium use). However, in some cases, increasing consumption of this nutrient to optimal levels may improve health.

For example, patients with depression have been found to have lower levels of inositol in their cerebrospinal fluid than healthy individuals. It has been shown in studies that taking supplements of myo-inositol, d-chiro-inotiol, or IP6 may have therapeutic uses.

Some of the medicinal uses that inositol supplements have been studied for include:

• Treating symptoms associated with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Decreasing obsessive-compulsive (OCD) behaviors
• Preventing psoriasis resulting from lithium usage
• Alleviating bulimic behaviors and binge eating
• Improving insulin resistance
• Helping to transport fats out of the liver in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
• Controlling fasting and post-prandial blood-glucose levels
• Reducing circulating triglycerides, LDL-C and total cholesterol
• Increasing HDL-C (high density lipoprotein cholesterol)
• Lowering bodyweight, especially in women who are lean or overweight, but not obese
• Reducing the frequency and severity of depressive periods in bipolar patients
• Alleviating anxiety symptoms and reducing frequency/severity of panic attacks
• Elevating levels of adiponectin, promoting enhanced digestion of fatty acids
• Acting as an anti-oxidant to protect against free radical damage
• Reducing the risk of developing gestational diabetes

Some integrative health practitioners may also recommend that their patients buy inositol supplements or powder for plasmogenic imbalances, lung cancer, hirsutism and acne.

Many of these uses are validated by clinical research trials while others require more human research to demonstrate efficacy. As mentioned previously, the FDA has not approved Inositol as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions. Research on Inositol has been promising, however more research is still needed to determine all of the effects of supplemental inositol.

If using inositol for a medicinal purpose, check with your doctor to find out if this supplement is appropriate for you.

Inositol for PMS

Some women buy inositol supplements to proactively ease the symptoms of PMS, especially the mood swings which are commonly experienced; a condition known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

In research it was shown that three daily doses of 4 grams of myo-inositol significantly decreased episodes of depression in premenstrual women. Other symptoms of PMS may also be improved including fatigue, irritability, heavy bleeding, backaches, and headaches.

Inositol for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Symptoms

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, however factors that may play a role include excess insulin, excess androgens (male hormones such as testosterone), low-grade inflammation, and heredity.

The most common symptoms of PCOS are irregular/infrequent/prolonged menstrual cycles, excess androgens, and polycystic ovaries (ovaries may be enlarged and contain unruptured follicles surrounding eggs). The imbalance of hormones can cause hirsutism (excessive hair growth), acne, diabetes type 2 mellitus, appearance alterations, and more.

Taking inositol supplements seems beneficial for managing symptoms of PCOS. Some doctors may recommend that you buy a myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol combination supplement to mitigate the symptoms of PCOS.

Various doses have been used successfully, ranging from 200 mg daily to 4000 mg daily. Higher doses do seem to be more effective in general. Check with your doctor to determine if Inositol supplements are right for your needs and to decide on the best dosage.

Inositol for Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Research on inositol use for depression has been somewhat contradictory. Some research has shown that inositol administration may reduce depression symptoms, especially in those with bipolar disorder.

In one study that lasted six weeks, episodes of depression were reduced in subjects diagnosed with bipolar disorder by more than 17%. No changes in the frequency or strength of manic episodes was reported. In this study, 12 grams of inositol was administered daily to subjects; divided into three doses of 4000 mg each.

One research study found that the  overall improvement in scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was significantly greater for depressed patients given inositol than for placebo patients after 4 weeks.

Another study had similar results, with inositol patients having better Depression Rating Scale scores than placebo patients during the trial period. However these researchers continued to track the patients after cessation of the treatment. They found that while no placebo patients who responded positively to treatment relapsed quickly after treatment cessation, half of the patients who had responded well to inositol relapsed rapidly after inositol treatment was stopped.

More research is still needed to fully understand the use of inositol for depression, and repetition of these results is crucial.

Inositol Safety

Inositol is unlikely to cause negative side effects and is considered safe to use when taken appropriately. As inositol is present in every cell of the body, it is very well tolerated as an oral supplement.

In research it has been seen that inositol can be taken in high therapeutic doses and used for long time periods without any serious side effects. Some mild adverse effects have been reported, including headaches, dizziness, stomach upset, and/or loose stool.

Inositol has been used to treat respiratory distress syndrome in premature babies. However, it should only be used in infants and children under doctor supervision.

There is not enough research available on the possible effects of inositol on developing babies to determine its safety in pregnant or nursing women. While breast milk is a rich source of inositol, the effects of exogenous sources (supplements) are not understood well enough yet.

Under doctors supervision, dosages of up to 18 grams daily have been used for panic disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and other mood conditions. For PCOS, PMS and other related conditions, smaller doses, around 3 grams daily, are often used.

Inositol supplements may react negatively with some pharmaceutical agents including carbamazepine, lithium, valproic acid, phytic acid and others. To be sure that you are not at risk for any negative drug interactions, please check with your doctor before you buy inositol and begin supplementation.

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