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Using D-chiro inositol for PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) treatment has been found effective in research studies, but it should be administered alongside myo inositol (MYO) for best results.
PCOS is a condition in which increased testosterone and insulin levels throw off hormonal balances and can result in infertility and poor egg quality.
It is estimated that nearly 1 in every 12 women within the reproductive age range is affected by PCOS.
D-chiro inositol has been shown to alleviate certain symptoms of PCOS in research studies. However, therapeutic results are best when combining it with myo inositol in a 40:1 ratio.
Brain Health
Mood
Weight Loss- Supports brain & liver health
- Involved in mood regulation & nerve signalling
- Improves insulin sensitivity for PCOS, fertility & weight loss
What is D-Chiro Inositol?
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D-chiro inositol (DCI) is one of the nine forms of the “inositol” molecule.
Many times, myo inositol (MYO) and DCI are mistakenly referred to simply as inositol.
Inositol is the name given to the entire group of its stereoisomers: allo inositol, cis inositol, D-chiro inositol, epi inositol, L-chiro inositol, muco inositol, myo inositol, neo inositol and scyllo inositol.
All of these have the molecular formula C6H12O6. It is only their molecular special arrangements that are different. Inositol also used to be referred to as Vitamin B8, until recent research showed that it had a different chemical structure than other vitamins.
D-chiro inositol is also sometimes referred to as cis-1,2,4-trans-3,5,6-cyclohexanehexol. Unlike myo inositol, it is not readily available in commonly opted-for human foods. Palatable food sources of DCI are limited to buckwheat and fig leaves.
Our bodies are able to synthesize D-chiro inositol from myo inositol via epimerase action; making DCI deficiencies rare. D-chiro inositol supplements are available commercially in several countries as well.
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D-chiro Inositol for PCOS
PCOS is a disorder of the endocrine system that is commonly experienced in women between the reproductive ages of 12 and 45. It affects roughly 8% of all women in that age group.
PCOS is also called hyperandrogenic ovulation (HA) and/or Stein-Leventhal syndrome. It is caused by a doubling of toxicity in the ovaries as follows:
- As a result of insulin insensitivity, the pancreas manufactures a surplus amount of insulin.
- Because the surplus of insulin is not recognized due to insensitivity, more insulin continues to be produced.
- This excessive insulin confuses the ovaries, making them overproduce testosterone.
- The result is high insulin levels combined with high testosterone levels, and eventually, the onset of PCOS symptoms.
The most common symptoms initially experienced with PCOS include anovulation, insulin resistance and a surplus of androgenic hormones in the blood. These initial conditions then cause the eventual development of other related symptoms including acne, hirsutism, amenorrhea, irregular menstrual cycling and infertility due to irregular ovulation.
Long term insulin insensitivity often leads to high LDL cholesterol levels and type II diabetes mellitus.
How D-chiro Inositol Helps
D-chiro inositol has been clinically shown to be effective as a treatment for PCOS symptoms including poorly formed eggs, ovulation inconsistencies and unbalanced menstrual frequencies.
In several placebo-controlled, double blind studies based on D-chiro inositol supplementation, female subjects with polycystic ovarian syndrome symptoms have been shown to experience:
- Decreased levels of free and total testosterone;
- Increased sensitivity to insulin;
- Decreased blood pressure;
- Improved disposal of glucose;
- More frequent ovulation
- Supports brain and liver health
- Involved in mood regulation and nerve signalling
- Used for PCOS, fertility and weight loss
PCOS Treatment Results
All cells in our bodies have differing levels of myo inositol and D-chiro inositol. Myo inositol levels are always significantly higher than D-chiro levels. In fact, D-chiro inositol is produced from myo inositol, only when biologically necessitated.
Clinical studies that monitored the physiologic ratios on MYO and DCI in plasma levels have shown that MYO/DCI combination therapies yield superior results for treating PCOS symptoms that supplementing with either MYO or DCI separately. To date, the most effective dosage ratio for MYO to DCI is 40:1.
In one double-blind placebo-controlled study published in Gynecological Endocrinology in 2007, 25 women with PCOS were observed over a 6-month period. The control group was given a 40:1 ratio of MYO to DCI based on 4 grams of MYO daily.
At the conclusion of the study, 88% of the women in the control group had a spontaneous menstrual cycle. Of them, 72% continued on with regularly cycles thereafter. 40% of the women got pregnant during the study: a goal that had long eluded them previously.
In a 1999 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 96 women demonstrating various PCOS symptoms were observed for 8 weeks. DCI was administered to the control group at a dosage of 1200 mg daily. The other group was administered a placebo. Conclusive results showed that the control group demonstrated:
- Increased insulin sensitivity;
- Lessened androgenic hormones;
- Decreased triglycerides and LDL cholesterol;
- Lowered blood pressure;
- Enhanced ovulation
Interestingly, this same study was retried using double the dose of DCI, but previous results could not be duplicated.
D-chiro Inositol for PCOS Dosing
For women with Polycystic ovarian syndrome symptoms, supplemental dosing of D-chiro inositol should be administered in conjunction with myo inositol supplementation. A 40:1 MYO:DCI balance is recommended with a daily intake of MYO between 2 and 4 grams, and a daily intake of D-chiro between 50 and 100 mg.
Myo inositol and D-chiro inositol for PCOS supplementation has been shown to be almost void of side effects. However, you should always get your doctor’s approval before beginning any supplementation programs.
- Adams GG, Imran S, Wang S, Mohammad A, Kok MS, Gray DA, Channell GA, Harding SE. The hypoglycemic effect of pumpkin seeds, Trigonelline (TRG), Nicotinic acid (NA), and D-Chiro-inositol (DCI) in controlling glycemic levels in diabetes mellitus. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2014
- Laganà AS, Barbaro L, Pizzo A. Evaluation of ovarian function and metabolic factors in women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome after treatment with D-Chiro-Inositol. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015
- Chang HH, Choong B, Phillips AR, Loomes KM. The diabetic rat kidney mediates inosituria and selective urinary partitioning of D-chiro-inositol. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2015
- La Marca A, Grisendi V, Dondi G, Sighinolfi G, Cianci A. The menstrual cycle regularization following D-chiro-inositol treatment in PCOS women: a retrospective study. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2015
- Nordio M, Proietti E. The combined therapy with myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol reduces the risk of metabolic disease in PCOS overweight patients compared to myo-inositol supplementation alone. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2012
- Pizzo A, Laganà AS, Barbaro L. Comparison between effects of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2014
