Written By Miranda Regalado
It has been a while since we last discussed supplements. As always, this is an invitation for you to do your own research and to bring this open dialogue to your health practitioner. You know we are very interested in investigating simple solutions for big issues. This week, the conversation is focused on inositol, a form of sugar found in the body, in some foods, and as a supplement.
For starters, inositol is needed for the body to develop and grow cells, but further research shows that it might have an arrange of benefits. People use it for metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, lowering cholesterol, high blood pressure, and more.
Although it is not quite a vitamin, it is often called Vitamin B8, and in addition to being involved in the development of cell membranes, it may also have an effect on certain chemical messengers in your brain. Due to its effects on neurotransmitters, inositol has been explored as a treatment for depression, showing remarkable improvements in 9 out of 11 participants in a study. And because of its influence on serotonin (a molecule responsible for behavior and mood), there are studies on the use of inositol for anxiety disorders like panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although many more studies are required on this matter, a particular study on 20 people showed that daily intake of 18 grams of inositol reduced the number of panic attacks in a week by four.
Another significant benefit of “Vitamin B8” is its influence on insulin (a hormone responsible for controlling sugar levels in the body). By improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin, it can reduce insulin resistance. One six-month study in 80 postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome found that 4 grams per day of inositol improved insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Patients reported 84% fewer side effects in comparison with metformin.
Since problems with insulin sensitivity may be one of the causes of reduced fertility in women, it might explain why many women with PCOS have had great results in controlling and improving their symptoms, going as far as improving fertility and ovary function. On the other side of the spectrum, and continuing with the reproductive subject, male health can also be improved. Particularly, myo-inositol could increase sperm quality and enhance motility, resulting in improved fertility.
We hope experts continue to investigate the benefits of this pseudo-vitamin, and more people are able to incorporate it into their diets to improve their cognitive, reproductive, and cardiac health, among others. There are countless patients, with successful results, stating that inositol improved their health, mitigating the effects of their syndromes, and overall improving their quality of life.
