Inositol hexaphosphate, or IP6, is a natural chemical needed by all of your cells. It is found in many foods, including beans, brown rice, bran, sesame seeds and other foods high in fiber. IP6 has many functions in your body. It acts as a messenger to relay external signals to the nucleus inside every cell and it regulates cellular levels of important minerals such as calcium. Inositol-rich foods and inositol supplements have a number of health benefits. Consult your doctor to discuss whether consuming extra inositol is advisable for you.
Cancer Prevention
Inositol has several properties that make it a possible cancer-preventing agent. It may block the action of some carcinogenic compounds that stimulate cells to divide and become malignant. It may also promote changes in cancer cells that arrest their growth and return them to normal. Some research suggests that IP6 may slow the development of breast, colon and prostate cancer. In a review published in "Nutrition and Cancer" in 2006, inositol was found to be useful in preventing cancer and controlling metastasis of malignant tumors. As of early 2011, the National Institute of Health was carrying out a clinical trial of inositol to prevent lung cancer in current and former smokers.
Neurological Benefits
Your brain uses inositol to manufacture several neurotransmitters, including serotonin and acetylcholine. Its level in cerebrospinal fluid may be abnormally low in patients suffering from depression or other neurological disorders. In a review of clinical trials of inositol as a possible treatment for psychiatric patients published in the journal "European Neuropsychopharmacology" in 1997, the authors concluded that inositol is potentially beneficial for subjects who experience either depression or other neurological problems. These are promising findings, although additional research is still needed.
Other Benefits
Inositol may have additional health benefits. Because it is an essential component of cell membranes, including those of nerve cells, it may help diabetes patients who experience numbness due to nerve damage, by supporting repair of their nerve cells. IP6 may also emulsify fats such as cholesterol in your food, promoting their rapid digestion and possibly keeping blood cholesterol in a healthy range. Taking inositol supplements may also promote healthy skin and hair and help treat skin conditions such as eczema.
Recommendations and Precautions
You may increase your daily intake of IP6 by adding more beans and whole grain foods to your diet. Inositol supplements are also available from most health food stores. The usual daily dose is 500 mg, although no recommended daily amount has been identified. Inositol is generally considered safe, although it may interfere with the uptake of some minerals, including zinc and calcium. Discuss use of inositol with your doctor to determine if it is appropriate for your situation.
References
- American Cancer Society: Inositol Hexaphosphate
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Inositol in Preventing Lung Cancer in Current or Former Smokers with Bronchial Dysplasia
- "Nutrition and Cancer"; Protection Against Cancer by Dietary IP6 and Inositol; I. Vucenik and A. Shamsuddin; 2006
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Inositol Hexaphosphate
- Healthy.net: Inositol; Elson Haas, M.D.
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