Inositol

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Inositol
- Myo-inositol
- Vitamin B8 (historical)
- Cyclohexanehexol

Latin Name: Not applicable (synthetic compound)

Category: Other Supplement (Pseudovitamin/Carbocyclic Sugar)

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Part of the B-vitamin complex recognized since the early 20th century
• Component of lecithin used traditionally for nervous system support
• Historical use as a lipotropic factor for fat metabolism

Modern Uses

• Anxiety and Panic Disorder - Calms the nervous system via GABA receptor modulation | Research quality: Strong
• Key findings: Effect comparable to the benzodiazepine drug Librium (chlordiazepoxide); functions as a cell messenger in spinal cord, brain, and nerves

• Source citations: Mars, Brigitte - The Home Reference to Holistic Health and Healing

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Improves serotonin utilization in the brain | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: OCD is often related to serotonin deficiency; inositol improves the body's use of the brain chemical serotonin

• Source citations: Mars, Brigitte - The Home Reference to Holistic Health and Healing

• Depression - Building block for nerve transmission chemicals | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: May modulate serotonin activity; being tested for depression in bipolar disorder; successful preliminary studies used doses as high as 12 grams

• Source citations: Moyad, Mark - The Supplement Handbook; Balch, Phyllis - Prescription for Herbal Healing

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - Improves ovulation and metabolic markers | Research quality: Strong

• Key findings: Combined therapy with myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol reduces metabolic disease risk in PCOS overweight patients compared to myo-inositol alone; improves ovulatory and metabolic effects

• Source citations: Nestler et al., New England Journal of Medicine 340(17):1314-20, 1999; Nordio et al., European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 16(5):575-81, 2012

• Hair Loss - Supports hair follicle health | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Soy contains inositol and beta-sitosterol which inhibit hair loss; topical and supplemental use supports scalp health

• Source citations: Bartram, Thomas - Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; Connors, Martha - The Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies

• Lithium-Induced Psoriasis - Counteracts lithium's depletion of brain inositol | Research quality: Strong

• Key findings: In a double-blind study, 6 grams per day for ten weeks significantly improved lithium-induced psoriasis
• Source citations: Gaby, Alan R. - A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Myo-inositol - The most abundant and bioactive form; primary cell messenger in nervous system
- D-chiro-inositol - Works synergistically with myo-inositol; important for insulin signaling in PCOS
- Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6/Phytic acid) - Antioxidant form found in cereals and legumes; has separate health applications

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Powder or capsule
- Amount: 500-2,000 mg per day
- Frequency: Divided into 2-3 doses daily

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Powder (most practical for high doses)
- Anxiety/Panic: 1,500 mg four times daily (6,000 mg total)
- Depression: 6,000-12,000 mg per day in 2-3 divided doses
- PCOS: 2,000 mg (2 grams) once or twice daily
- OCD: 12,000-18,000 mg per day
- Lithium-induced psoriasis: 6,000 mg per day
- Duration: Effects may take 4-6 weeks to manifest; long-term use generally considered safe

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: Up to 18,000 mg (18 grams) has been used in clinical studies
- Warning threshold: Higher doses may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort

Bioavailability Notes:
- Well absorbed orally
- Powder form most practical for therapeutic doses (capsules become impractical at high doses)
- The body synthesizes about 4 grams daily from glucose

How to Take It

Timing:
- Can be taken any time of day
- Divide doses throughout the day for anxiety and mood support
- With or without food; food may reduce any mild GI upset
- For PCOS, consistent daily timing recommended

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Choline - Co-functions as fat metabolizer and brain enhancer; both are components of lecithin | Enhanced cognitive and liver support
2. B-Complex Vitamins - Inositol effectiveness increased with B-vitamin complex | Synergistic nervous system support
3. Brahmi (Bacopa) - Effectiveness of brahmi increased by simultaneous inositol supplementation | Enhanced cognitive benefits
4. Magnesium - Both support GABA activity and calm the nervous system | Combined anxiolytic effect
5. D-chiro-inositol - Combined with myo-inositol reduces PCOS metabolic risk better than myo-inositol alone | Optimal PCOS support

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. High-dose niacin - Inositol hexaniacinate (no-flush niacin) does not work for cholesterol lowering despite marketing claims | Avoid if seeking cholesterol benefits

Drug Interactions:
1. Lithium - Lithium depletes brain stores of inositol; while supplementation may reduce side effects, the safety and efficacy of this combination has not been proven; requires medical supervision | Severity level: Moderate
2. Blood glucose-lowering medications - Inositol hexanicotinate may elevate glucose levels in diabetics | Severity level: Moderate

Food Interactions:
- No significant food interactions known
- Caffeine may theoretically counteract calming effects

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- Caution in diabetes (some forms may affect blood glucose)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Generally considered safe but consult healthcare provider for high doses
- Bipolar disorder: Use under medical supervision (may affect mood cycling)

Side Effects:
- Common: Mild nausea, gas, or digestive upset at high doses
- Rare: Headache, dizziness, fatigue
- Generally very well tolerated even at high doses

Long-Term Use:
- Considered safe for extended use
- No significant adverse effects reported in long-term studies
- No cycling typically required
- Monitor blood glucose if diabetic

Special Precautions:
- Those with diabetes should monitor blood glucose
- Consult healthcare provider before use during pregnancy
- Inform healthcare provider if taking lithium or psychiatric medications

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Anxiety, Panic Disorder, OCD, Depression, PCOS

Secondary: Hair loss support, Lithium side effect reduction, Cognitive support, Fat metabolism

Sources

Local Library:
- Mars, Brigitte - The Home Reference to Holistic Health and Healing
- Moyad, Mark - The Supplement Handbook
- Balch, Phyllis - Prescription for Herbal Healing
- Gaby, Alan R. - A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions
- Bartram, Thomas - Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
- Brighten, Jolene - Beyond the Pill
- WRCHM - Western Materia Medica II
- Buhner, Stephen Harrod - Herbal Antivirals
- Mars, Brigitte - The Country Almanac of Home Remedies
- Ali, Naheed - Diabetes and You
- Connors, Martha - The Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies

General Knowledge:
- Nestler JE et al. "Ovulatory and Metabolic Effects of D-chiro-inositol in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome." New England Journal of Medicine 340(17):1314-20, 1999
- Nordio M et al. "The Combined Therapy with Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol Reduces the Risk of Metabolic Disease in PCOS Overweight Patients." European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 16(5):575-81, 2012