Inositol: Natural help for PCOS and insulin resistance

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Imagine if there was a natural substance that could help your body better manage hormonal imbalances , insulin resistance, and even fertility issues . Sounds almost too good to be true?

That's exactly what inositol can do! Women, especially those with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or gestational diabetes, report positive effects of inositol on their health. In this article, you'll learn what inositol is, how it works, and why it can support you.

The most important things in brief

Inositol , especially myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol, plays a central role in cell communication and glucose metabolism.

It is often used in PCOS and insulin resistance because it regulates hormone levels and improves ovarian function.

Inositol is considered safe and well-tolerated. However, medical advice should be sought before taking it during pregnancy.

What is inositol?

Inositol may sound exotic, but it's a natural substance that our bodies can produce themselves. There are several forms of inositol, but myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol are the most important. These play crucial roles in cell communication and glucose metabolism —processes that are particularly essential for women with hormonal disorders such as PCOS or insulin resistance [1,2,3].

The two main forms of inositol:

Myo-Inositol : An important component of the cell membrane that correctly transmits signals in the body.
D-Chiro-Inositol : Supports the action of insulin and promotes glucose uptake into the cells.

Although our bodies can produce inositol, this is often insufficient to meet the needs of health conditions like PCOS . Inositol is also found in many plant-based foods such as fruits , beans, and nuts , but not always in sufficient quantities. In such cases, supplementation may be beneficial [4].

Young woman holds a capsule in front of the camera and smiles.

How does inositol work?

Inositol, especially the combination of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol , has a central function in cell communication.

Myo-inositol : It is a precursor to hormone-regulating second messengers. These amplify and regulate signals arriving in cells, ensuring optimal cellular response [5,6].
D-Chiro-Inositol : Promotes insulin action and enables better uptake of glucose into the cells [7].

Did you know?

Inositol was originally called vitamin B8 . Scientists later discovered that our bodies can produce inositol themselves . For this reason, it is no longer classified as a vitamin but as a substance produced naturally in the body .

Inositol for PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by a hormonal imbalance. Typical symptoms include:

Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
Increased hair growth in atypical places
acne
Unfulfilled desire to have children

Many women with PCOS also suffer from insulin resistance , which increases the risk of diabetes and obesity .

The role of inositol:

Inositol improves insulin resistance and regulates hormonal imbalance [8,9].

Studies show that myo-inositol can promote ovulation and improve ovarian function.
The exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, but inositol optimizes the signal transmission of insulin and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) .

Scientific findings:

A meta-analysis showed that myo-inositol can improve fertility in women with PCOS [10].
When combined with a drug against insulin resistance, inositol shows a stronger effect: hormone levels stabilize more quickly and insulin resistance is reduced more effectively [11,12].

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Inositol for gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes often occurs due to hormonal changes that disrupt glucose metabolism and lead to insulin resistance [13,14].

Scientific studies:

Studies suggest that myo-inositol reduces insulin requirements during pregnancy.
It can also reduce the risk of premature birth [15,16].
Taking myo-inositol during pregnancy is promising . However, further research is needed to support these results.

Important: Women who wish to take inositol during pregnancy should definitely consult their doctor [17].

Pregnant woman sits and looks at an ultrasound image.

How safe and well-tolerated is inositol?

The combination of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol has been shown to be particularly effective in regulating hormonal imbalances and metabolic problems such as insulin resistance or menstrual irregularities . A deficiency in inositol can lead to impaired essential processes in the body, which can result in fertility problems , irregular cycles , or impaired glucose processing.

Inositol is a natural substance that is well tolerated by the body [18,19]:

No serious side effects have been identified so far.
The combination of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol is particularly effective.

Conclusion

Inositol may be an unknown substance , but its effects should not be underestimated. Women with PCOS , insulin resistance , or gestational diabetes in particular benefit from inositol supplementation.

Whether used alone or in combination with other therapies, inositol offers a natural way to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. If you are affected, inositol could be the crucial step to improving your well-being.

What is inositol and what is it used for?

Inositol is a substance produced naturally in the body that plays an important role in cell communication and glucose metabolism . It is often used in cases of PCOS , insulin resistance , and gestational diabetes to regulate hormone levels and improve ovarian function.

Is inositol the same as vitamin B8?

Inositol was formerly known as vitamin B8 . Today we know that the body can produce inositol itself, which is why it is no longer considered a vitamin but a substance produced naturally in the body .

How does inositol help with PCOS?

Inositol, especially myo-inositol , can balance hormones , promote ovulation , and improve ovarian function. It also helps reduce insulin resistance , a common problem in PCOS.

What are the benefits of inositol for gestational diabetes?

Inositol can help reduce insulin requirements and the risk of premature birth in gestational diabetes. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking it.

In which foods does inositol occur?

Inositol is found in fresh plant foods such as fruits , beans, and nuts . However, the diet is often insufficient to meet the needs of those with health problems.

Are there any side effects when taking inositol?

Inositol is considered safe and well-tolerated . No serious side effects have been identified to date. However, medical advice is recommended for those with certain pre-existing medical conditions.

How is inositol taken?

Inositol is available in dietary supplement form, usually as a powder or capsule. A combination of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol has proven particularly effective.

References for further reading:

Chemie.de: Inositol https://www.chemie.de/lexikon/Inosit.html (accessed on August 27, 2023).
DocCheck Flexikon: Inositol https://flexikon.doccheck.com/de/Inosit (accessed on August 27, 2023).
Mohammad Haris, Kejia Cai, Anup Singh, Hari Hariharan, Ravinder Reddy, In vivo mapping of brain myo-inositol, NeuroImage, Volume 54, Issue 3, 2011, Pages 2079-2085, ISSN 1053-8119, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.10.017.
Clements RS Jr, Darnell B. Myo-inositol content of common foods: development of a high-myo-inositol diet. At J Clin Nutr. 1980 Sep;33(9):1954-67. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/33.9.1954. PMID: 7416064.
Bizzarri M, Carlomagno G. Inositol: history of an effective therapy for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2014 Jul;18(13):1896-903. PMID: 25010620.
Pocket Atlas of Human Biochemistry. Koolman J, Röhm K, eds. 5th, completely revised edition. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2019. doi:10.1055/b-006-161663.
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Wojciechowska A, Osowski A, Jóźwik M, Górecki R, Rynkiewicz A, Wojtkiewicz J. Inositols' Importance in the Improvement of the Endocrine-Metabolic Profile in PCOS. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Nov 18;20(22):5787. doi: 10.3390/ijms20225787. PMID: 31752081; PMCID: PMC6888190.
Eberle C. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In: Gätje R, Eberle C, Scholz C, Lübke M, Solbach C, Muschel K, Kissler S, Siedentopf F, Weissenbacher T et al., eds. Short Textbook of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2nd, updated edition. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2015.
Azizi Kutenaei M, Hosseini Teshnizi S, Ghaemmaghami P, Eini F, Roozbeh N. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2021 Apr;25(7):3105-3115. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202104_25565. PMID: 33877679.
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Facchinetti F, Unfer V, Dewailly D, Kamenov ZA, Diamanti-Kandarakis E, Laganà AS, Nestler JE, Soulage CO; Group of 'Inositol in PCOS and Reproduction'. Inositols in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Overview on the Advances. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Jun;31(6):435-447. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2020.02.002. Epub 2020 Mar 9. PMID: 32396844.
Scholz C. Gestational diabetes. In: Gätje R, Eberle C, Scholz C, Lübke M, Solbach C, Muschel K, Kissler S, Siedentopf F, Weissenbacher T et al., eds. Short Textbook of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2nd, updated edition. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2015.
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Wei J, Yan J, Yang H. Inositol Nutritional Supplementation for the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2022 Jul 9;14(14):2831. doi: 10.3390/nu14142831. PMID: 35889788; PMCID: PMC9318937.
Liu Q, Liu Z. The efficacy of myo-inositol supplementation to reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes: a meta-analysis. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2022 Jun;38(6):450-454. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2022.2071865. Epub 2022 May 16. PMID: 35575290.
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Mendoza N, Diaz-Ropero MP, Aragon M, Maldonado V, Llaneza P, Lorente J, Mendoza-Tesarik R, Maldonado-Lobon J, Olivares M, Fonolla J. Comparison of the effect of two combinations of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing ICSI: a randomized controlled trial. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2019 Aug;35(8):695-700. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2019.1576620. Epub 2019 Mar 16. PMID: 30880505.
Mendoza N, Diaz-Ropero MP, Aragon M, Maldonado V, Llaneza P, Lorente J, Mendoza-Tesarik R, Maldonado-Lobon J, Olivares M, Fonolla J. Comparison of the effect of two combinations of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing ICSI: a randomized controlled trial. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2019 Aug;35(8):695-700. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2019.1576620. Epub 2019 Mar 16. PMID: 30880505.