What is Inositol?
Inositol is a sugar alcohol in foods such as beans, fruits, nuts and grains. It’s chemically the same as glucose but structured differently.
Inositol exists in nine different chemical forms, each with its distinct structure. Their chemical names:
- Myo-inositol
- D-chiro-inositol
- L-chiro-inositol
- Neo-inositol
- Muco-inositol
- Scyllo-inositol
- Epi-inositol
- Cis-1,2,3,5-trans-4,6-cyclohexanehexol
- Allo-inositol
Of these, the most used in supplements is myo-inositol, and D-chiro-inositol comes in second. Myo-inositol is the most abundant form of inositol available for various health concerns.
Inositol helps the body with various cellular functions, which can help treat specific health problems. It’s abundant in the mammalian tissues and brain.
The nine different inositols exist as forms of natural sugar, a carbohydrate that breaks down quickly in the body as an energy source (x). Two inositols relate specifically to the body: Myo-inositol and D-chiro inositol. Myo-inositol is the most prominent form of inositol (x).
It’s an essential compound because it regulates the signals in response to an extensive range of hormones. Since it’s a sugar, inositol also handles neurotransmitter signals and growth factors.
Production of inositol takes place mainly in the kidneys. The other tissues in your body synthesize it, too (x).
Inositol, also known as vitamin B8, no longer fits the definition of a vitamin. So, regulatory agencies no longer recognize inositol as a vitamin officially.
Yet, healthcare providers prescribe inositol capsules for specific health issues. It’s best to speak to your healthcare provider before taking inositol capsules.
Inositol Benefits
Adding inositol capsules to your daily diet offers many health benefits. It may bring about a feeling of tranquility, as well as aid sexual health. It also helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels. You’ll even find it in skincare and haircare products.
Inositol has powerful health benefits, which this article covers.
Support the Lungs
Inositol protects the lungs by reducing inflammation and supporting healthy lung tissue. Studies show the compound reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines can cause lung inflammation and damage. Inositol is an antioxidant, protecting the lungs from oxidative stress and free radicals because of environmental pollutants and other toxins (x).
Research shows that inositol can help improve lung function in individuals with respiratory health concerns like asthma and pulmonary disease. A study with preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome given inositol showed significant improvement (x).
Inositol helps the lungs by reducing inflammation, enhancing function and protecting against oxidative stress.
Helps Promote a Healthy Mood
A study shows that some drugs deplete the body of inositol, causing people to have mood swings. So, maintaining inositol in your body may support your mood. People feel more content and happier when they replenish their bodies with inositol (x).
Research suggests that inositol promotes healthy moods while reducing depression and anxiety. The compound can enhance the neurotransmitters associated with regulating moods, such as dopamine and serotonin. These two elements purportedly regulate mood, though no scientific proof exists. That people take the natural component and feel better proves it works (x).
By enhancing the central nervous system, inositol may help combat symptoms like panic attacks stemming from environmental stress factors. An investigation revealed the supplement has a meaningful impact and lessens the number of episodes per patient (x).
Treating these mood swings with inositol shows no side effects compared to psychotropic drugs. These drugs adversely affect the brain, are addictive and can have devastating side effects (x, x).
Taking inositol, a natural supplement that helps the body with no harm, is a wise decision in the long term.
Maintain Healthy Glucose Levels and Manage Diabetes
Inositol can help improve insulin sensitivity so the body can use insulin better. That way, the body can regulate blood sugar levels, reducing the chances of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a health concern that leads to high blood sugar levels — diabetes (x).
Inositol helps monitor glucose metabolism by supporting glucose uptake through the cells. It also helps increase glycogen production, which stores glucose in the muscles and liver (x).
Studies show that inositol may help prevent and treat diabetes (x). Diabetes is a metabolic disease that disrupts the body’s metabolism, converting food to energy on a cellular level (x). Studies suggest that inositol can address these particular issues with the body for a positive outcome (x).
Inositol can also help improve nerve function in people with diabetes, easing pain and numbness caused by nerve degeneration (x).
Helps Lower PCOS Symptoms
Probably the most noted inositol benefit is helping women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) become more fertile. PCOS is a health concern where women have high levels of male hormones and insulin resistance. Such a condition leads to infertility.
Some studies report that high insulin resistance is the root cause because it causes the cells to become desensitized to insulin, triggering the body to produce more insulin. The ovaries remain sensitive to insulin no matter how severe the insulin resistance becomes. As a result, the ovaries are experiencing hyper-stimulation by excess insulin. That causes PCOS symptoms, including anovulation, infertility and high testosterone (x).
Several studies show that supplementation with inositol can cause a noticeable drop in insulin resistance and testosterone levels. It reduces PCOS symptoms, such as hair growth and acne. Women can have regular menstrual cycles and become fertile (x, x).
A 12-week study involving 50 overweight women with PCOS took, under medical supervision, two grams of myo-inositol daily. The results showed a significant drop in testosterone, and the women’s menstrual cycle improved (x).
As a dietary supplement, inositol helps the body maintain standard, healthy ratios of myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol. The excess insulin reduces, preventing the ovaries from generating too much testosterone (x).
Supports Healthy Skin
Cosmetic manufacturers use inositol in skincare and haircare products because it helps strengthen and grow hair. It also helps moisturize the skin by drawing water into it (x).
The compound has hydrating properties that increase moisture levels and reduce dryness. That way, inositol improves the skin’s overall texture and appearance, helping it recover its elasticity.
Inositol helps regulate sebum secretion, reducing acne breakouts. It even helps with cell growth and lightening the skin by inhibiting melanin. Melanin causes skin pigmentation. Reducing its production means inositol helps lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation (x).
Inositol has anti-aging capabilities because it has antioxidant properties to combat skin damage triggered by free radicals. Free radicals can lead to premature aging (x). Neutralizing the free radicals helps lessen the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Some have used inositol to help prevent and treat eczema because of its anti-inflammatory properties (x).
Patients given lithium for long-term treatment of bipolar disorders have psoriasis. A study discovered that these poor souls experience a depletion of inositol when they take this psychotropic drug. One of the many harmful side effects of lithium is psoriasis.
The study worked with 15 patients with psoriasis from taking lithium. They also worked with 11 patients with psoriasis who didn’t take lithium. Inositol worked with the lithium patients but not the non-lithium patients. The findings show how dangerous lithium depletes nutrients from the body (x).
Another interesting point is inositol helps with mood swings, and perhaps people who feel depressed have a nutritional deficiency. Even though doctors can prescribe inositol to replenish the loss of nutrients in the body, finding a better alternative to psychotropic drugs is sounder. Unfortunately, lithium is very addictive and hard to wean off (x).
Supports Cardiovascular and Heart Health
Besides regulating blood sugar, reducing inflammation, and lowering cholesterol levels, inositol helps improve endothelial function (x). Endothelial cells line the lymphatic vessels and blood vessels, allowing your tissues and blood to interact (x). These cells regulate the blood flow and prevent blood clots. Inositol may help reduce the risk of heart disease (x).
Inositol can reduce and prevent plaque buildup in the arteries. When the plaque builds up in the arteries, the heart performs extra hard to pump blood through the clogged channels, restricting blood flow. Pumping so hard causes high blood pressure, a sign of plaque buildup and heart disease (x).
Assist the Liver in Processing Fats
Inositol helps the body metabolize fats in the liver, which benefits liver health and function. Inositol activates an enzyme called lipase. Lipase breaks down fats in the liver, so it’s used for energy or helps eliminate the fats from the body.
Inositol helps monitor insulin signaling, as mentioned above, in the liver. The process improves glucose metabolism, avoiding excess fat buildup in the liver.
Studies prove that inositol improves liver function in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. NAFLD is a health concern where the liver becomes overloaded with fat, particularly in obese people (x).
Taking inositol capsules may reduce the fat in the liver while improving liver enzymes. It also helps lower inflammation levels (x).
Supports the Muscle and Nerve Function
Inositol capsules help with various bodily functions that contribute to proper muscle and nerve function. It is part of the cell membranes, particularly phospholipids. Phospholipids are major components of cell membranes.
With the presence of inositol, nerve impulses transmit because cell membranes have support from the nutrient. As mentioned earlier, inositol supports the production of neurotransmitters that regulate mood and nerve function (x).
Inositol regulates the levels of calcium within cells. Calcium is a viable mineral for the proper function of nerves and muscles. Inositol also regulates insulin, a hormone that regulates glucose in the blood. Glucose in the blood influences muscle performance (x).
Where to Buy Inositol Capsules?
You can purchase Inositol Capsules at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor of pure dietary supplements.
BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other brands that distribute food and other supplement products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying inositol as a dietary capsule supplement for its potential to support your liver, infertility, regulate your insulin, blood glucose levels, central nervous system and muscle function? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.
Inositol Dosage
Most health practitioners recommend 500 mg of inositol daily in capsule form. It’s best to check with your healthcare provider to determine the correct dosage.
Inositol Side Effects
Even though side effects are uncommon, taking dosages above recommended daily allowance may cause mild gastrointestinal concerns, such as flatulence, diarrhea or nausea (x).
The Bottom Line
Beans, fruits, nuts, and grains are all foods that contain inositol, a type of sugar alcohol. Its chemical makeup is identical to that of glucose, but its structure is different.
The nine different inositols exist as forms of natural sugar, which is a type of carbohydrate that is quickly broken down by the body to provide energy. Among these, myo-inositol is the most frequently used in supplements and D-chiro-inositol is the runner-up. Myo-inositol is the most abundant type of inositol to address various health challenges.
Inositol can assist the body in performing various cellular activities, which may aid in the treatment of certain health issues.
It plays a key role in controlling the signals the body sends in response to various hormones. As it is a sugar, inositol also manages neurotransmitter signals and growth factors.
The kidneys are the primary source of inositol production. The other tissues throughout your body also produce it.
It is now understood that inositol, sometimes referred to as vitamin B8, does not meet the criteria for a vitamin. Inositol is no longer officially considered a vitamin by regulatory agencies.
Healthcare providers, however, may recommend taking inositol capsules for certain health concerns. It’s best to speak to your healthcare provider before taking inositol capsules.
Researchers have found that taking inositol can provide a sense of calmness and improve sexual health. It helps keep blood sugar and cholesterol levels in check. It helps the respiratory system and diminishes PCOS symptoms. You can find it in many skincare and haircare products.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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