Myo inositol tablets and powders are commercially available for supplementation purposes. Myo inositol is one of nine stereoisomers of inositol, a simple carbohydrate polyol that is readily found in nature. Myo-inositol is most common form of inositol and is involved in numerous very important bodily processes.
It is used in the body as a secondary messenger, forms the structure of eukaryotic cells, regulates intracellular activities and performs many other roles. Myo-inositol tablets are most commonly used for enhancing the mood, ADHD, depression, weight loss, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Because of the versatile benefits and safe nature of this supplement, myo inositol and another stereoisomer, D-chiro inositol, are receiving significant attention in the medical and research communities today.



- Supports brain & liver health
- Involved in mood regulation & nerve signalling
- Improves insulin sensitivity for PCOS, fertility & weight loss
Characteristics of Inositol
Related Topics
Inositol is an organic substance that is found throughout nature. It is in all multicellular organisms (eukaryotes): animals, plants and algae.
It is a light-colored, sweet-tasting sugar alcohol that is about 50% as sweet as common table sugar (sucrose).
More specifically, inositol is a six-folded cyclohexane polyol with the scientific name cyclohexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol. Its empirical formula is C6H12O6, also written as (-CHOH-)6.
It exists in 9 forms of stereoisomers, which are chemical compounds that differ only in their atomic spatial arrangements; not in their atomic constituents.
Synthesis of Myo Inositol
Myo inositol is the most prevalent of the nine inositol stereoisomers. It is formally known as cis-1,2,3,5-trans-4,6-cyclohexanehexol. Because it is by far the most common form of the inositol group, it is often simply Inositol.
Myo inositol is synthesized primarily in the kidneys in the following manner:
- The ISYNA1 gene encodes the protein enzyme, inositol-3-phosphate synthase.
- Rate limiting glucose 6 phosphate (G6P) is isomerised by ISYNA1 to myo-inositol 1-phosphate.
- IMPase (inositol monophosphatase) is utilized to dephosphorylate the myo-inositol 1-phosphate, leaving the free form of myo inositol behind.
Myo-Inositol’s Role in the Body
Myo inositol tablets and powder-based supplements are in more demand than ever. As modern research concerning the benefits of myo inositol, D-chiro inositol, and other inositol stereoisomers continues to prove very promising, many people are talking with their physicians about them.
This supplement is commonly used for mood disorders such as OCD, depression, and anxiety. It is also sometimes taken together with choline to support weight loss.
In the brain, myo inositol is used as a secondary neurotransmission signaler. Major neurotransmitters can only deliver messages between neurons, but they cannot send messages within neurons.
This includes the primary neurochemicals like Serotonin and Dopamine that regulate our sleep, moods, sex drive, and much more. Neurotransmitters make it as far as receptors in the synaptic cleft, but then require secondary messengers to carry their messages on into the nuclei of cells. Without secondary signaling messengers like myo inositol, neurotransmission would not be possible.
Inositol is also responsible for providing the structure of eukaryotic cells. Every eukaryotic cell has a phospholipid bilayer that holds form and protects intracellular components like mitochondria, organelles and nuclei. This phospholipid bilayer is comprised of inositol and choline. Inositol also regulates cell apoptosis (controlled cellular necrosis/death), cell migration, and genetic expressions.
Benefits of Myo-Inositol Tablets and Powders
Using a daily myo inositol tablet has been shown to lower triglycerides, lower LDL cholesterol, elevate HDL cholesterol and help to emulsify fats in general. The efficient emulsification of fats is associated with lowered risks for a wide array of health conditions and diseases, from stroke, to cancer, from heart disease to diabetes, from atherosclerosis to PCOS.
With more than one third of all Americans being classified as obese and “completely sedentary” by leading health organizations, the need for ways to address these metabolic symptoms is vital. In research studies, Myo inositol has been seen to help reduce many of these risk factors, and may be useful as an aid to diet and exercise.
Various clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of myo-inositol pills for improving the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). While the exact starting cause of PCOS is still unknown, it is brought on by excessive insulin in the blood due to insulin insensitivity. The excess insulin causes the ovaries to produce too much testosterone.
This insulin/testosterone surplus causes PCOS symptoms to present. The most common symptoms of PCOS are irregular menstruation and androgen-related effects such as weight gain, acne, and excessive body hair growth.
In research studies, using myo-inositol tablets has resulted in decreased serum triglyceride levels, decreased testosterone levels (and a conqeuent decrease in related androgenic side effects), modest decrease in blood pressure, increased insulin sensitivity, and induction of ovulation.
Myo-inositol supplementation has been shown to return ovulation and menstruation cycles to normal, and help to develop healthy, fertile eggs, even among women who have repetitively failed at attempts of in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
The Natural Medicines database has rated Myo-inositol as Possibly Effective for improving lithium-induced side effects, OCD, panic disorder, PCOS, and respiratory distress syndrome in infants. Scientific research has been quite promising so far, however more large-scale double-blind placebo-controlled studies are still needed to determine all of the effects supplemental inositol may have on the body.
At this time, Myo inositol tablets are available as a dietary supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Inositol as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.
Should You Buy Myo-Inositol Tablets?
Myo-inositol is an integral nutrient that every living organism needs. Deficiencies are rare because members of the inositol group are very common.
However, inositol levels can and do drop sometimes and supplementation can replenish the bioavailable supply. Those who drink alcohol and coffee, or smoke tobacco products, or take sulfa antibiotic drugs, take lithium, or have uncontrolled chronic stress can deplete their stores of inositol and its derivatives.
If you have issues with PCOS, mood disorders, or losing weight, than myo inositol tablets may be a good supplement to fortify your diet with. It is always recommended that you speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplements to determine if they are right for your needs. Talk to your doctor if you think myo inositol tablets are a supplement you would like to try.
- 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
- Communi D, Vanweyenberg V, Erneux C. Molecular study and regulation of D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase. Cell Signal. 1995
- Clements RS Jr. Review of myo-inositol and sorbinil studies. Clin Physiol. 1985
- Dessì A, Fanos V. Myoinositol: a new marker of intrauterine growth restriction? J Obstet Gynaecol. 2013
- López-González AA, Grases F, Monroy N, Marà B, Vicente-Herrero MT, Tur F, Perelló J. Protective effect of myo-inositol hexaphosphate (phytate) on bone mass loss in postmenopausal women. Eur J Nutr. 2013
- Frey R, Metzler D, Fischer P, Heiden A, Scharfetter J, Moser E, Kasper S. Myo-inositol in depressive and healthy subjects determined by frontal 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 1.5 tesla. J Psychiatr Res. 1998
- Capasso I, Esposito E, Maurea N, Montella M, Crispo A, De Laurentiis M, D'Aiuto M, Frasci G, Botti G, Grimaldi M, Cavalcanti E, Esposito G, Fucito A, Brillante G, D'Aiuto G, Ciliberto G. Combination of inositol and alpha lipoic acid in metabolic syndrome-affected women: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Trials. 2013
Article last updated on: May 12th, 2018 by Nootriment