Inositol Supplement Guide – Research and Reviews of Benefits

Adding an inositol supplement to daily food intake choices may yield healthy benefits. Inositol is a naturally-occurring vitamin-like substance found in humans, many other animals, and plants.

Inositol supplements can be derived from natural sources or manufactured synthetically. It was previously considered part of the B complex of vitamins, often being referred to as vitamin B8. More recent research has shown that Inositol does not meet all the qualifications of a vitamin however, and is a sugar alcohol more closely related to glucose.

Inositol and its derivatives, including IP3 (inositol triphosphate) and myo-inositol, are utilized by the CNS as secondary neurotransmission messengers.

These chemical compounds are key players in accommodating the efficient message delivery for major neurotransmitters like Serotonin, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine. As such, it is the subject of numerous ongoing clinical studies to determine if it is beneficial for the treatment of a variety of physical and psychological disorders.

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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View User Ratings* ❯

Benefits of Inositol Supplements

A partial list of the potential benefits of inositol capsules include protection from and/or support for:

• Cancer
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Depression
• Sleep cycle disturbances
• Diabetic nerve pain
• Schizophrenia
• ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
• Autism
• Panic Disorder
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Side effects of lithium therapy
• Psoriasis
• Hair growth

In addition to the above, supplements have been used to reduce elevated testosterone, elevated triglycerides, and hypertension (high blood pressure) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Research continues to be conducted concerning the various possible roles that inositol is thought to play in the body and brain.

Research Support for Inositol Supplements

Depression: Various double-blind studies have shown inositol to be an effective treatment for symptoms of depression.

In one study, 28 depressed adults were dosed daily with 12 grams of inositol powder. Within 4 weeks, the entire group was showing significant signs of improvement over the group receiving a placebo.

Bipolar Disorder: One 6-week double-blind study involved 48 patients with bipolar disorder. For the first week, half the group received 2 grams of inositol 3 times daily and the other half received placebo. After the first week, the dosage was stepped up to 4 grams 3 times daily.

Although no conclusive evidence was gained, enough was learned to warrant further research with bipolar patients. However, it is thought that excessive doses of inositol can make the symptoms of bipolar disorder worsen, and more research is needed in this area.

Panic Attacks: Several studies have shown inositol to be as effective at alleviating panic attack symptoms as are commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs. In one double-blind crossover study, inositol supplementation was compared against fluvoxamine, a drug very similar to Prozac. After four weeks, inositol was found to be “at least as effective as fluvoxamine”.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: PCOS is a disorder that affects the endocrine system, possibly causing weight gain, menstrual issues, and infertility. In one placebo-controlled, double blind study, a group of 136 women with PCOS were given inositol doses of 100 mg 2 times daily for fourteen weeks. The placebo group consisted of 147 women who also has PCOS symptoms.

LDL cholesterol levels dropped in the inositol group and appreciable weight loss was experienced. Ovulation frequency improved significantly in the treatment group as well.

Metabolic Syndrome: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster term for conditions that onset adverse health conditions including but not limited to cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia, high triglyceride levels, obesity, hypertension, and pre-diabetes. One clinical study involved 80 women who had already gone through menopause. Half were dosed with 2 grams of inositol twice daily and the other half were given a placebo.

The inositol group showed improvements in all areas including lowered triglycerides, lowered LDL cholesterol levels, lowered blood pressure, and lessened resistance to insulin.

The Natural Medicines database has rated Inositol supplements as Possibly Effective for improving lithium-induced side effects, OCD, panic disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome, and respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants. While research results for the most part have been promising so far, more large-scale double-blind placebo-controlled studies are still needed to confirm the results of smaller studies.

At this time, Inositol is available as a dietary supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Inositol as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

Possible Side Effects of Inositol

Inositol supplements are considered very safe for most adults. It has even been used safely to treat babies with acute respiratory distress symptoms, under the supervision of a physician.

It is not recommended for women who are nursing or pregnant because not enough clinical research has yet been conducted to warrant it safe in elevated dosages in these groups.

When side effects have been observed in clinical studies, they were generally mild and included headaches, dizziness, nausea, and lacking energy. It is notable that no serious side effects were observed, even at dosages of 18 times the average amount taken in through diet.

Inositol Supplement Review

The benefits of inositol supplements are becoming more and more evident on a variety of fronts. Promising effects of restoring healthy balances of cholesterol, blood-glucose levels, and blood pressure seem to be just the beginning. Inositol is one of the most researched chemicals concerning its capacity to improve the symptoms of cancer, depression, and many more health challenges.

Inositol deficiencies are rare as it occurs naturally in many food sources as well as in commercial supplements. Always consult with your doctor or other health professional before beginning inositol supplements, or any others.

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