Inositol, many friends have heard of it recently.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients should be no stranger to it. This is a supplement that all PCOS girls should try, and it is helpful for over 80% of PCOS patients.
However, it is not only suitable for polycystic ovary syndrome.
It suits a great many people, both boys and girls. Because if you lack it, your body may give you a lot of negative feedback. Supplementing it may bring about obvious changes.
Inositol is one of the indispensable substances for many important hormones in the body.
Today’s popular science article about inositol is quite long. If you are interested, please be sure to read it through patiently.
What is inositol?
inositol, once known as vitamin B8, was discovered in muscles over 150 years ago. Over the past 30 years, it has aroused strong interest in the scientific community.
In nature, 99% of inositol exists in the form of MYO isomers, while the remaining 1% exists in the form of DCI chiral inositol.
Inositol is a second messenger
MYO is a second messenger and is involved in many physiological processes, such as:
The development and function of peripheral nerves;
Bone development
Reproduction and procreation;
Carbohydrate metabolism
The effect of insulin
Chemical messengers in the brain;
Lipid metabolism
Cell growth and differentiation;
The maturation of egg cells
It can be imagined as the second leg of a relay race. The first runner puts down the baton, and the second messenger takes it over, passing the signal to the final goal and amplifying the signal itself.
We usually believe that hormones influence physiological processes, but second messengers are also an indispensable part.
If the second signal makes the level very low, then the hormones cannot perform their due functions, and the resistance to hormone signals begins to develop.
The other two major types of second messengers are cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP, as well as calcium ions, which can play a significant role in various sensitivities such as excitotoxicity and EMF.
In oats, corn and grains, inositol usually exists in the form of phytic acid as a component of lecithin.
Animal tissues, especially the brain and muscles, are rich in inositol. In the early stage of embryonic development, there is a large amount of inositol in sperm, oocytes and embryos.
MYO is endogenous synthesized from glucose 6-phosphate and exists at the cell membrane level, such as phosphatidylinositol phosphate, which is linked to membrane phospholipids.
In addition, it is converted into DCI inositol through insulin-dependent episomerase.
It is particularly important as it can regulate the activity of different hormones, including insulin, thyroid stimulating hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
What are the functions of inositol?
Many hormonal responses require the participation of inositol, including: thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), vasopressin, angiotensin, GABA, serotonin, insulin, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Inositol optimizes fertility: LH and FSH
Inositol is one of the common supplements for PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) for the following reasons:
Firstly, it alleviates insulin resistance and helps reduce LH secretion.
Secondly, the signal from the hypothalamus that triggers the pituitary gland to release LH and FSH is gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and its second messenger is inositol.
Although the pituitary gland is its main target, ovarian follicles also contain GnRH receptors, so their signals can directly regulate them.
Even in women without PCOS, inositol seems to support high-quality oocyte and follicular maturation.
Inositol also supports male fertility. The pituitary FSH sends signals to Sertoli (the cells that produce sperm), which respond with inositol as a second messenger.
Inositol can assist in the motility of sperm, as well as the capacitation and acrosome response required for the fusion of sperm and oocytes.
It can also increase sperm count and concentration, rebalance LH, FSH, and inhibin B.
Therefore, both partners who are planning to conceive can supplement inositol.
Inositol and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
Inositol is important for LH and FSH, both of which are produced by the pituitary gland. It also acts as a second messenger for TSH, which is also produced by the pituitary gland.
Inositol has been found to help regulate TSH levels, which is the most commonly tested hormone for monitoring hypothyroidism.
Inositol on metabolic syndrome: insulin, blood pressure
Inositol also acts as the second messenger of insulin, which is an essential hormone that allows glucose to enter cells. Therefore, it helps to enhance insulin sensitivity.
Due to this factor, it may also help improve metabolic syndrome and be beneficial for lowering blood pressure and triglycerides.
It has also been proven to be helpful for gestational diabetes and to increase adiponectin.
Inositol helps with depression and anxiety: serotonin and GABA
Inositol has long been used to treat anxiety disorders because of its role as a second messenger of serotonin, which helps enhance cells’ sensitivity to serotonin. It also enhances the signaling of the sedative neurotransmitter GABA.
Inositol is highly concentrated in the brain and enhances cellular integrity by synthesizing many different compounds.
It has a close relationship with calcium and helps release the calcium stored in the brain, which in turn stimulates the release of various neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and GABA, which can promote feelings of calm and happiness.
Inositol helps nerves communicate with each other, promotes the formation of new nerves, improves signal transduction between neurons, and promotes better cognitive function, clear thinking, and general health and happiness.
Because of its significance to many brain functions, inositol can help treat many mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Inositol protects the liver and improves transaminase
Inositol has a significant benefit – it protects the liver. A deficiency of inositol is associated with an increased risk of fatty liver. Supplementing inositol can reduce the risk of fatty liver
It can also improve the levels of transaminases ALT and AST, increase the activity of glutathione peroxidase, and protect your liver.
Why is inositol beneficial for PCOS?
Many people come to know inositol because of polycystic ovary syndrome.
The alteration of insulin signaling is regarded as the main cause of the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
PCOS is the most common cause of infertility, affecting over 10% of women of childbearing age.
Although PCOS cannot be cured at present, there are some ways to improve it. Besides chronic inflammation and weight gain, hormonal imbalance is also an important influencing factor.
Improving hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance is one of the main goals of managing PCOS. Inositol is helpful for over 80% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Inositol can restore ovulation
A meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials showed that inositol was associated with an improvement in ovulation rate and an increase in menstrual frequency compared with placebo.
A study conducted in 2010 on 42 PCOS patients showed that the combined use of myo-inositol and folic acid enabled 65% of the patients to ovulate spontaneously, and 35% of them became pregnant.
In contrast, in the metformin group, only 50% ovulated and 18.3% became pregnant (metformin was also once regarded as a miracle drug for treating PCOS).
Inositol reduces testosterone levels
In thin women with PCOS, DCI inositol reduced free testosterone by 73%, while there was no change in the placebo group.
Among the 10 women in the DCI inositol group, 6 ovulated, while 2 of the 10 women in the placebo group ovulated.
The results of a double-blind study on inositol showed that in patients treated with inositol, total testosterone dropped from 99.5 to 34.8, and free testosterone decreased from 0.85 to 0.24.
PCOS patients with acne and hirsutism showed significant improvement after 6 months of inositol treatment, with significant reductions in total testosterone, free testosterone and basal insulin levels.
Inositol can improve insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome
DCI inositol is involved in insulin metabolism. Patients with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance have lower levels of DCI inositol in their urine.
Both MYO inositol and DCI inositol can improve insulin sensitivity, especially in women with high fasting insulin levels (greater than 12μU/ mL).
Inositol improves gestational diabetes
PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance, which increases the risk of gestational diabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels rise during pregnancy.
Studies show that the use of inositol (4g daily) and folic acid (400 μg daily) throughout pregnancy may help prevent gestational diabetes in women with a family history of diabetes.
How to choose inositol for polycystic ovary syndrome
Inositol can improve the menstrual cycle, ovulation and the metabolic changes of PCOS.
Both MYO inositol and DCI inositol have shown positive effects on glucose metabolism in different insulin-sensitive tissues. However, they have opposite effects on ovarian function.
In contrast, high DCI inositol may be harmful, potentially raising androgen levels, damaging FSH signaling, and increasing the number of immature oocytes. This situation is also known as the DCI inositol paradox.
DCI inositol is only beneficial in a specific ratio with MYO inositol. Studies have shown that a 40:1 ratio of MYO inositol to DCI inositol may be the best choice for restoring ovulation and normalizing hormone levels in PCOS treatment.
How to supplement inositol?
Some people are more prone to inositol deficiency.
People who love drinking coffee will increase the consumption of inositol.
2. Older people and those with insulin resistance have an increased demand for inositol
People who consume too much sugar and carbohydrates are more likely to lack inositol
4. People who don’t like to eat foods such as animal liver, kidneys and animal blood
Inositol is synthesized by bacteria in our intestines from glucose. Although inositol is synthesized within the body, humans do need external sources of inositol.
Inositol is found in animal offal, meat and eggs, although grass-fed meat has a higher inositol content.
Beans and bean sprouts are also regarded as foods with high inositol content, but soybeans have more problems, so I don’t recommend them.
Vegetables, such as sweet peppers, tomatoes, asparagus, and green leafy vegetables, also contain inositol.
If you choose inositol supplements, I suggest taking them on an empty stomach in the morning. According to research, the recommended dose of inositol is:
How much inositol should be supplemented?
First of all, inositol is very safe and has no side effects.
Some people take 30g a day without any side effects. Generally, when the dosage exceeds 10 grams, problems such as diarrhea, dizziness and nausea occur.
Low dose: 400-2000mg per day
Reverse the effects of hormonal imbalance;
Enhance women’s fertility and overall vitality;
Improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin will benefit people with high blood sugar.
High dose: 5-15g per day
Relieve stress;
Improve mood;
Improve sleep;
When you take inositol for the first time, you can start with a lower dose and gradually increase it to the dose you want.
In this way, the body will be able to get used to it. This is a slow and gradual improvement. It is recommended that you take it for at least 4 to 6 weeks before determining whether it is suitable for you.
Some people may not need a very high dose. For instance, to relieve stress, many have reported that even taking a lower dose of 400mg per day results in much less stress.
The dosage each person needs is different. Therefore, just start with a low dose and gradually increase it until you see the effect that satisfies you.
The key
The physiological functions and benefits of inositol have now been deeply studied and recognized. Its role as a second messenger for important hormones such as insulin, FSH and TSH is particularly significant.
It is of great help in alleviating insulin resistance, thyroid problems, metabolic issues and polycystic ovary syndrome ovulation problems.
Inositol is not exclusive to women. It can also be helpful for men preparing for pregnancy. Moreover, for men who often drink alcohol and have insulin resistance, inositol is an excellent supplement.
Inositol is an experimental therapy in the “International Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of PCOS”.
More and more PCOS studies are focusing on this area and have shown encouraging results, which may be beneficial to ovulation patterns and hormone levels.
In addition to improving PCOS, inositol also has a positive impact on endocrine balance and mood improvement. For middle-aged women with unstable emotions, inositol is also of great help.
Contact: Serena Zhao
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Post time: Dec-03-2025