Vitamin B-8 Benefits

Vitamin B-8, which is more commonly referred to as inositol, is one of the B-complex vitamins. Inositol is found in brewer's yeast, fruits, lecithin, legumes, meat, milk, molasses, raisins, vegetables and whole grains. Inositol is not officially recognized as a vitamin, because your intestinal bacteria can synthesize it; however, oral inositol supplements can produce a variety of health-related benefits.

Body Benefits

Inositol is present in all of your body tissues, and it is most highly concentrated in your brain, heart and eye lens. According to Health Supplements Nutritional Guide, inositol helps your body break down and metabolize fats, and it reduces fatty acid buildup in the body organs, especially the liver. It also helps to lower blood cholesterol levels, to prevent plaque buildup in the arteries and to nourish your brain cells.

Conditions B-8 May Help to Treat

"Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database" states that inositol supplements are taken orally to help treat a variety of disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, autism, cancer, depression, diabetic neuropathy, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, insomnia, psoriasis and schizophrenia. More research needs to be done to confirm the efficacy of inositol supplements for these purposes, however.

Panic Disorder

Inositol may help treat panic disorder, because it is involved in the production of certain neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals that play a role in feelings of calmness and well-being. A four-week, placebo-controlled study published in the July 1995 issue of "The American Journal of Psychiatry" examined the effect of 12 g per day of oral inositol on 21 patients with panic disorder. The frequency and severity of panic attacks as well as the severity of agoraphobia declined notably in the inositol group, and no significant side effects were reported. Research also suggests that inositol may be as effective for the treatment of panic disorder as Luvox, which is the conventional drug used to treat panic disorder.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a female disorder characterized by small cysts in the ovaries, irregular periods and high levels of testosterone. Common symptoms include acne, excessive hair growth, high blood pressure, weight gain and ovulation problems. Preliminary research has found that oral inositol can help to decrease testosterone levels, decrease blood pressure and induce ovulation in women with PCOS, according to "Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database."

Considerations

Oral inositol is generally well tolerated, but side effects such as nausea, tiredness, headaches and dizziness can occur. As with any supplement, you should talk to your healthcare practitioner before taking inositol.