Inositol Benefits and Side Effects

Effective in Treating Those Condtions

Inositol works by balancing particular body chemicals. It is often taken as an oral prescribed medication for the following health issues. Inositol has shown some effectiveness for:

• Panic attacks. Inositol has shown promising results in treating panic attacks and the anxiety that results from a variety of phobias such as the fear of open spaces or agoraphobia.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A select group of people who suffer from OCD showed significant improvement in their behavior when they took inositol orally, for six weeks.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The form of inositol known as isomer D-chiro-inositol has shown signs of improvement in patients diagnosed with this disorder in the ovaries. It appears to lower the levels of triglyceride and testosterone, decreases the blood pressure and stimulates ovulation.

• When administered through an IV, inositol has helped infants suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome.

• Inositol has a positive effect on psoriasis that is caused by taking lithium. 

Possibly Ineffective for These Conditions

• Autism

• Depression. Clinical trials have shown that when depressed people took inositol for 4 weeks their conditions improved initially, before eventually, worsening. The belief that it makes the antidepressant drug called SSRIs more effective has so far not been supported by conclusive research.

• Alzheimer’s

• Schizophrenia

Inositol may quite likely be ineffective for: Nerve problems brought on by diabetes

Not enough research has been done to substantiate the drug’s effectiveness on the following:

• Cancer

• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder

• Problems sleeping

• Difficulty metabolizing fat

• Hair growth

• High levels of cholesterol

• Other conditions

1. There is no definite conclusion about how safe inositol is for adults. Its use may result in headache, loss of appetite, tiredness, dizziness, and nausea.

2. Inositol may worsen bipolar disorder if taken in large amounts.

3. People who take inositol consistently may sweat more or have their skin appear redder than normal. This is because of inositol is a form of niacin and these are usual side effects of that particular vitamin.

4. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The full effects of using inositol during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is yet unknown. Therefore, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid use completely. 

Inositol is available in a number of different forms. One of the most common is inositol hexaphosphate which is most effective with cellular processes such as improving the metabolism of certain minerals like calcium. Inositol hexaphosphate occurs naturally in food which are rich in fiber such as corn, wheat bran and sesame seeds.

The other forms of inositol are inositol hexaniacinate, myo-inositol, D-chiro-inositol and inositol hexanicotinate. 

Inositol is readily available from the catalogue of many online retailers as well as from food stores which specialize in dietary supplements.

Research has confirmed the following recommended dosages for taking inositol by mouth.

• Take 12 to 18 grams each day for panic disorder

• Take 18 grams of inositol each day to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Take 1200mg of D-chiro-inositol each day for treating the symptoms caused by polycystic ovary syndrome.

• 6 grams of inositol per day for treating the psoriasis caused by lithium. 

Inositol does not have a recommended intake level, since your body can produce enough Inoitol to function. However, for those who want to know, foods rich in Inositol include while grain bread, beans (such as lima beans), citrus fruits (with the exception of lemons) and cantaloupe.

Watch this video to see the report on inositol and cancer which helps to know more about inositol: