Inositol is a cyclic organic molecule of 6 carbon atoms, an essential component of phospholipids.
It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as vitamin B7.
Source
There are nine isomers of inositol, the most common of which is myo-inositol.
It is incorporated into the structure of cell membranes and helps to optimise the body's vital functions.
Inositol in the human body was identified more than 150 years ago, and myo-inositol was isolated in 1850 and purified in 1887.
In the 1940s, Posternak identified the 9 isomers of inositol.
Although it is often associated with the B vitamins, inositol can be synthesised by the body from glucose, which distinguishes it from the vitamins, which by definition cannot be synthesised by the body in sufficient quantities for survival.
On the other hand, many recent studies have highlighted the interest of inositol supplementation in the treatment of various pathologies.
Food sources
Inositol occurs naturally in some foods.
The best sources of inositol are beef liver and heart.
It can also be found in beef and pork.
On the plant side, it can be found in:
- Oil seeds (fresh walnuts, hazelnuts)
- Pulses (lentils, kidney beans)
- Whole grains (oats, wheat, wheat germ, buckwheat, barley)
- Fruit (orange, grapefruit, strawberry)
- Vegetables (cauliflower, peas)
Benefits and virtues
This molecule, which is part of the composition of cell membranes, appears to be very effective in the treatment of many diseases or pathologies.
Known as the fertility molecule, inositol has recently been the subject of a number of studies aimed at understanding how it works to improve egg quality in women.
The main cause of diagnosed infertility is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects 5-10% of women of childbearing age and is characterised by insulin resistance.
It is this insulin resistance that inositol would target, correcting the endocrine-metabolic disorders associated with PCOS.
For affected women, diet alone is not enough to provide enough inositol to improve symptoms, and a course of high-dose supplements is required.
Dosage
The daily dose has not been officially established as inositol is not a true vitamin.
Recommended dosages vary widely depending on the indication for taking inositol.
For the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), recommended doses range from 1,500 mg to 4,000 mg per day.
To treat mental disorders, higher doses would be needed, close to 6,000 to 18,000 mg per day.
Finally, to improve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, 2000 mg is sufficient for convincing results.
Inositol-based supplements are available in powder or capsule form, usually containing 500 mg of inositol.
Side effects and contraindications
Mild indigestion (nausea, flatulence and diarrhoea).
In the absence of a study, pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before starting an inositol regimen.