1. Learn About Muscle Sugar
The word "inositol" comes from the Greek words meaning "muscle sugar." This substance is in almost all living cells in plants and animals. When extracted from cells, inositol is a sweet, colorless, water-soluble crystal. Scientists knew about inositol in 1850, but didn't name it as a vitamin until 1956. It is an unofficial member of the B vitamin family, but many experts argue that it is not a vitamin and is actually a lipotropic agent.
2. Help Your Heart
Inositol is good for your heart. It works with choline to stop the fat you consume from hardening in your arteries. It also helps the body to produce lecithin, which in turn reduces cholesterol levels. Inositol is stored in the brain and the heart and skeletal muscles, and it promotes hair growth and healthy brain function.
3. Good for Your Liver and More
When people don't get enough inositol, they frequently experience hair loss, constipation, elevated cholesterol and eczema. It is especially helpful for people with liver disorders, diabetes, depression and panic disorders. It is good for liver health because it keeps fat from collecting in the liver, which is at the route of many liver disorders like cirrhosis. In the brain, inositol is required for certain brain neurotransmitters, like serotonin and acetylcholine, to work correctly. In some studies, inositol supplements are as effective as antidepressants, without the side effects. It has also helped to lessen the number and severity of panic attacks and the severity of agorophobia (a disorder that causes a person to fear leaving his home). For diabetics, inositol can help to prevent diabetic neuropathy, a nerve condition that is common in people with this disease.
4. Eat Citrus Fruits Regularly
Fruits, particularly citrus fruits, are good sources of inositol. So are whole grains, legumes and milk. You'll also find inositol in wheat germ, molasses and raisins. Too much coffee or alcohol can deplete your body's supply of inositol.
5. Choose the Right Dose for You
There is no RDA for inositol, but most nutritionists recommend 300 to 1,000 mg daily. For liver support, doctors recommend 100 to 500 mg. The usual dose to treat depression or panic disorder is 12 g, and 1,000 to 2,000 mg helps prevent diabetic neuropathy. A nutritionist or physician can help you to determine the right dose for you when treating these conditions.
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