It’s often referred to asvitamin B8, but it is not actually a vitamin.
They are generally considered safe if taken appropriately.
Keep reading to learn more about the potential mental health benefits and uses of inositol.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Other Potential Health Benefits
Mental Health Uses for Inositol
What is inositol used for?
However, it is important to use caution when evaluating such claims.
While there may be some evidence that inositol might benefit certain conditions, more research is needed.
Inositol should not be used as a monotherapy or in place of traditional treatments for these conditions.
How inositol affects mental health conditions is not clear.
However, results have not demonstrated an antidepressant effect.
One study found that myo-inositol concentration in blood might be a reliable marker for clinical depression.
Panic Disorder
The compound has also been investigated for its potential impact on anxiety conditions.
The benefits have mostly been seen in people with panic disorder in whom depression is common.
A small study published in theJournal of Clinical Psychopharmacologyinvestigated the effect of myo-inositol on 20 people with panic disorder.
However, more research is needed to better understand the impact inositol might have on anxiety disorders.
Another small study published in the journalMenopausesuggested thatmyo-inositol may aid in the treatment of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.
D-chiro-inositol may help manage PCOS, according to a small study published inEndocrine Practice.
Generally speaking, the normalization of hormonal balances translates to an improvement in PCOS symptoms.
Recap
Inositol shows promise in the treatment of metabolic disorders and polycystic ovary syndrome.
However, further research is needed to recommend the use of inositol as a treatment.
Always talk to your doctor first if you are considering taking inositol to treat a health condition.
Possible Side Effects of Inositol
Are there any dangers associated with taking inositol?
Inositol is generally considered safe in adults.
Most side effects occur with doses greater than 12 grams per day.
The metabolic effects of inositol may not be appropriate for everyone.
Talk to a doctor before trying this or any other supplement or natural remedy.
Do not use inositol in place of proven treatments for a medical or mental health condition.
Dosage and Preparation
Inositol supplements are sold as tablets and capsules.
There is no recommended daily allowance for inositol and there is no standardized dosing schedule.
There is also a possibility of drug interactions, so always talk to a doctor before you take inositol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes!
Foods rich in inositol also offer fiber and nutrients needed for good, long-term health.
These include fruits, beans, grains, and nuts.
Cantaloupe, oats, bran, and citrus fruits (other than lemons) are especially rich in myo-inositol.
Cooking or freezing fruits and vegetables reduces their inositol content.
There is very little inositol in milk or yogurt.
It may, however, help to ease symptoms of anxiety, a common co-morbidity of autism.
The supplement is often described as a cure for thinning hair and balding, but the research is lacking.
Some evidence suggests that this supplement may help women with PCOS lose weight.
However, much of this research remains inconclusive.
You should always talk to your doctor before taking this supplement.
Chhetri DR.Myo-inositol and its derivatives: Their emerging role in the treatment of human diseases.Front Pharmacol.
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Mental Health America.Inositol.
Correlations with metabolic disorders.Int J Mol Sci.
2012;166(4):703-10. doi:10.1530/EJE-11-0840
