Chirositol Supplement Review, Benefits and Side Effects

Chirositol is the brand name of a proprietary form of the nutrient D-Chiro-Inositol. It is manufactured by Cyvex Nutrition.

This supplement is promoted as having benefits for insulin sensitivity, weight control, metabolic syndrome, PCOS, acne and hirsutism in women.

D-Chiro-Inositol, which is sometimes abbreviated as DCI, is a stereoisomer of inositol – a natural substance that plays an important role in the body as a secondary messenger.

Most inositol supplements will contain a form of myo-inositol, which is much more prevalent in nature than DCI. While D-Chiro-Inositol can be found in a handful of foods, the most common source is carob juice.

Because it is uncommon to be able to get large amounts of D-Chiro-Inositol through food sources, people who wish to use this substance for its health benefits must take Chirositol supplements or generic alternatives.

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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Chirositol vs. D-Chiro-Inositol?

When you see Chirositol (TM) this refers to a proprietary D-Chiro-Inositol dietary supplement produced by Cyvex Nutrition, which was released in 2008.

Cyvex’s Chirositol is extracted from carob juice without the use of solvents and contains approximately 95% DCI. This form of inositol has been well-researched in over 30 published studies since 1979.

D-Chiro-Inositol is the generic name given to this specific molecule. DCI is available in small quantities in buckwheat farinetta, but is otherwise not abundant in most people’s diets and must come in supplement form.

If a company’s supplement contains the proprietary Chirositol, it will be indicated by the TM trademark. You can buy Chirositol supplements from a number of online and brick and mortar retailers.

Chirositol Effects and Benefits

According to the Natural Medicines Database, research indicates that women who take Chirositol for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can see a number of benefits.

PCOS is a condition caused by irregular levels of female sex hormones. When these hormones are out of balance for extended periods of time, it can negatively affect fertility, cause irregular periods and cause the growth of small ovarian cysts.

These fluid-filled cysts can cause pain during menstruation, nausea, vomiting, bloating, pain during sex as well as impaired ovulatory function.

Women with PCOS may also be at a higher risk of diabetes and cardiovascular health problems. Women with this condition may also experience weight gain, facial hair growth, sugar cravings and other signs of poor metabolism.

A number of different forms of inositol have been used in the treatment of PCOS, but D-chiro-inositol found in Chirositol supplements may be the most effective.

In a study of lean women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, taking 600 mg of D-chiro-inositol daily for six to eight weeks helped reduce circulating insulin levels, cut down on androgens and improved blood pressure. In obese women with PCOS, regular administration of D-chiro-inositol can induce ovulation and fertility.

Chirositol’s effects on insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels are well-studied. It has been researched for its effects on insulin-resistant type 2 diabetes and for general symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

However, it has not yet been approved by the FDA as a treatment for Diabetes or any other medical condition.

GLUCOsmart, which is a supplement that contains Chirositol as its primary ingredient, is also promoted to “normalize inositol and blood sugar.” The manufacturer states that this supplement is “For prediabetics and type 2 diabetics.”

Research shows that D-Chiro-Inositol is converted into DCI-containing inositol phosphoglycan when it is exposed to insulin.

DCI-IPG is known to activate an enzyme that improved glucose storage (glycogen synthase) as well as another enzyme that helps to break down glucose and turn it into energy (pyruvate dehydrogenase).

In one double-blind placebo controlled study of overweight female patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome, 1200 mg of DCI was given orally once a day for 6-8 weeks.

The researchers reported that those given the treatment saw decreased blood glucose levels, reduced insulin response, improved blood pressure and decrease blood triglyceride concentrations.

This also improved ovulatory function; nineteen of the twenty-two participants given the treatment ovulated while only six of those given the placebo did.

According to the manufacturer, this supplement also “Stops skin tags associated with pre-diabetes.” However, there is not a reference to a scientific study that validates this claim.

In one research study, D-chiro-inositol (DCI) and Myo-inositol (MI) were examined in conjuction with the trademarked trans-resveratrol supplement Revifast® in overweight pregnant patients.

The supplement combination was found to improve insulin resistance, lipid profile metrics (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG), and fasting glucose levels.

Additional Uses of Chirositol

One of the purported benefits of Chirositol for men is its effect on hormone balance and insulin control. Elevated insulin levels can cause testosterone to convert to estrogen, which can lead to breast development, male facial hair growth and belly fat.

It can also convert testosterone to DHT, which is a male hormone that may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Taking Chirositol can promote a healthy hormone balance in both men and women.

Chirositol has been shown to reduce appetite and carbohydrate/sugar cravings, which can help with weight loss. It can further help with weight loss by stimulating the loss of belly fat through improved hormone regulation.

Elevated insulin activity can also contribute to increased hunger cravings as well as difficulty concentrating, anxiety, frequent urination, fatigue and lack of focus or motivation.

When people are under chronic stress, their levels of cortisol can increase. When cortisol levels are high, fat cells become resistant to fat loss. Studies indicate that taking Chirositol daily can reduce stress and make it easier to reduce body fat.

Inositol is also considered effective for mood balance. According to the Natural Medicines Database, the supplement myo-inositol is rated as Possibly Effective for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Panic Disorder.

D-Chiro-Inositol has not been as well-studied for its mood enhancing effects and there have not been any trials on its effects for OCD patients. However, the manufacturers of one supplement that contains Chirositol claim that it can support levels of serotonin – the “happy hormone”.

According to Lorna Vanderhaeghe – the maker of Glucosmart, “Reduced serotonin or poor metabolism of serotonin is linked to increased sugar cravings.”

More research is needed to determine the efficacy of DCI for this claim. There are currently no studies publicly available examining the effect of Chirositol on serotonin levels in the brain.

How to use Chirositol

According to the manufacturers of GLUCOsmart with Chirositol, the recommended dosage per day is one capsule with food, which contains 600 mg. The manufacturers recommend that individuals over 160 lbs take two capsules per day.

Different dosages of D-Chiro-Inositol have been used in studies for different effects. For symptoms of PCOS, 1200 mg D-chiro-inositol was used in one study. In others human research trials, doses ranging from 200 mg to 4000 mg per day were taken daily with breakfast.

According to a 2014 article in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology by Dr. Simona Dinicola, DCI is more effective for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome when it is combined with Myo-Inositol and may produce better outcomes for women undergoing IVF.

Use of DCI on its own at high dosages can have a negative impact on oocyte quality. The combination of MI/DCI at a dosage ratio of 40:1 is hypothesized to promote better clinical outcomes by reproducing the physiological concentrations that naturally occur in healthy plasma.

D-Chiro-Inositol has also been studied in combination with Alpha Lipoic Acid for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and menses disorders. ALA is typically used at a dosage of 300 – 600 mg per day.

In other research studies, DCI has been combined with 400 mcg of Folic Acid.

This supplement may also be combined with other natural products that improve insulin and blood sugar levels such as green tea extract, berberine, resveratrol, chromium picolinate, pterostilbene, pycnogenol (pine bark extract), cinnamon, Vitamin D and magnesium.

To determine the appropriate dosage for your needs, it is recommended to consult with a doctor who knows your health history and knows about any medications or supplements you may be using.

Chirositol Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

D-Chiro-Inositol is well tolerated when used as a dietary supplement, with low risk of side effects.

The DCI found in Chirositol is extracted from carob juice, which is rated as Likely Safe by the Natural Medicines Database when used orally in medicinal amounts. The FDA has also rated Carob as “Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)”.

According to NMD, there are no adverse reactions associated with taking Carob juice extract. However, there may be some mild negative effects when inositol is used. In a small number of cases, nausea, tiredness, headache, and dizziness have been reported.

There are no known drug or supplement interactions for D-chiro-inositol. However, before you buy Chirositol supplements, it is recommended to consult with a doctor to determine if this supplement is safe for you.

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