Pure Encapsulations Inositol - 250g

Inositol Supplement: Health Benefits, Uses & Dosage
By: Naturopathic Doctor ( N.D.)

Inositol………Helpful for Fertility, Metabolic Syndrome in Post Menopausal Women, Cholesterol, Cancer Prevention and More….

Inositol is classified as a carbohydrate though it is not a classical sugar and has the sweetness of approximately half a tablespoon of sugar. As a component of the popular Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6) product available in stores, it is found in many plants, particularly fruits like oranges and cantaloupes. It is produced by our bodies in small amounts and thus is not an essential nutrient. It is sometimes called Vitamin B8.

What Are Benefits & Uses for Inositol?
It is mainly used in the body for signalling and secondary messaging. Specifically, it is used for: insulin signal conduction, cell wall assembly, nerve guidance, intracellular calcium concentration control, cell membrane potential maintenance, the breakdown of fats and reduction of cholesterol, and gene expression.

Psychiatric Conditions - studies show that Inositol can be used for psychiatric conditions such as eating disorders, depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Hormonal Disorders, Infertility and Diabetes - double-blinded studies have shown Inositol to be effective in the treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOD), hyperandrogenism, oligo-amenorrhea, insulin resistance – all implicated in infertility.

Blood Pressure, Lipid Metabolism, Cholesterol and Metabolic Disorders in Women – studies showed Inositol is effective in helping reduce high diastolic (the second number in blood pressure readings) blood pressure, increase good HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides.

Cancer – studies show Inositol can be effective against some forms of cancer when combined with Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6).

It has also been used for diabetic nerve pain, insomnia, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, Autism, hair growth, and psoriasis.

How Does Inositol Work?
Psychiatric Conditions - All of the neurotransmitters use Inositol as part of their messaging and communication systems, including the signal conduction pathway for dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine. Producing better communication is one-way Inositol helps many psychiatric conditions.

Insulin Resistance Hormonal Disorders - Inositol works on making Insulin receptors on cells more receptive to Insulin, which in turn reduces the development of insulin resistance and the development of Diabetes, PCOS, infertility related to PCOS and other Insulin related hormonal disorders.

Cholesterol - Inositol is a lipotrophic agent. This means it reduces fat accumulation in our livers by liquefying it and shutting it away from our livers and arteries thus decreases the development of fatty liver and clogged arteries. Inositol is usually combined with Vitamin B3 – Niacin – for the treatment of high cholesterol.

Metabolic Syndrome – Studies show the best form of Inositol for treating postmenopausal women suffering from metabolic syndrome is Myo-Inositol. It reduces diastolic blood pressure, increases insulin sensitivity, increases protective HDL cholesterol and reduces triglycerides.

Anti-cancer - Numerous studies have been done on animals showing that Inositol in the form of Inositol Hexaphosphate 6 (IP6) can affect gene expression, inhibit cancer growth, and be beneficial in the recovery from chemotherapy.

As a strong antioxidant, it binds and removes free radicals that are harmful to our bodies. The use of antioxidants are an important approach to cancer prevention. Although most studies using IP6 in the treatment and prevention of cancer have been animal and laboratory cell culture studies, these have been very positive. Animal studies show IP6 can prevent and slow tumour growth. One study on humans showed that IP6 may ease the effects of chemotherapy and improve quality of life. IP6 also binds to certain minerals thereby decreasing the risk of colon cancer. Some research shows that IP6 slows abnormal cell division and may sometimes transform tumour cells into normal cells. Supporters claim it effectively prevents kidney stones, high cholesterol, heart disease, and liver disease.

Laboratory studies of cell cultures have shown that IP6 may help encourage cancer cells to die and may help keep them from spreading to other parts of the body. One preliminary human study showed that IP6 may cause regression of precancerous lung changes in smokers. It may also affect the growth of blood vessels that supply the tumour. It has been shown that it can elevate natural killer cell activity and increase our immune system’s ability to fight cancer. These studies demonstrate that IP6 may have activity against cancer of the pancreas, breast, prostate, colon, and other types of cancer. Results of some studies in cells have further suggested that IP6 may help certain chemotherapy or hormone therapy drugs work better in the treatment of cancer.

How to Take Inositol & Its Supplement?
It is available in capsule or tablet form or in combination with other nutraceuticals in specific formulations aimed at specific conditions.

Many products combine IP6 with Inositol. Why? The combination has been shown to provide a more powerful immune response than either molecule alone. In addition, the molecule Inositol Triphosphate or IP3 is known to promote and regulate healthy cell growth and division. By combining Inositol with IP6, we are potentially doubling the IP3 content.

Dosage:
IP6 appears to have a wide safety range. In one study up to 8.8 grams of IP6 was used safely for 2 years with no reported side effects.

The recommended dosage for IP6 is 2 to 3 gm daily. It is best taken on an empty stomach. There is no Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for IP6.

There is no Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Inositol and the D-Chiro-Inositol form. Dosages depend on the condition and range from 2 – 18 gms per day.