Inositol, which was considered part of the vitamin B-complex at one time, is a natural carbohydrate that regulates cellular functions and enzyme activity. Inositol also plays a role in a few chemical reactions in your brain, which are related to mood regulation. As such, inositol is used to treat stress-induced anxiety, panic disorder, mild forms of depression and other psychological conditions. Excessive anxiety can lead to serious health conditions, so consulting your primary care physician is recommended.
Functions of Inositol
Inositol is involved in the transmission of information between nerve cells. It has a particular affect on serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation. Specifically, inositol is a serotonin uptake inhibitor and used to combat a variety of psychological disorders that are based on serotonin or other neurotransmitter imbalance, as is discussed in "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition." Excessive stress often disrupts chemicals in the brain and other hormones, which leads to feelings of anxiety, among other symptoms. Inositol is also involved in triggering the release of calcium within cells, which may be effective for treating some nervous system disorders, including anxiety and panic attacks.
Medically Accepted Uses
According to "Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health," inositol supplementation in research studies reveals that it is a beneficial compound to help regulate mild mood changes and occasional anxiety caused by stress. Further, inositol has been used for many years in clinical settings and has shown to improve mild to moderate depression, senile dementia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder and panic attacks. Additional reported benefits of inositol in clinical settings include a reduced need for pain medication, reduced edema in burn injuries and fewer symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, as is discussed in "Human Biochemistry and Disease." Anecdotal evidence of inositol shows promise for the treatment of insomnia and bulimia.
Supplementing with Inositol
Inositol is naturally found in many foods such as vegetables, bananas, brown rice, wheat germ, nuts and raisins. As such, dietary deficiency is rare, although stress may increase the rate at which inositol is depleted in the body, which could lead to disrupted brain chemistry and contribute to anxiety, as discussed in "Nutritional Sciences." Many health practitioners recommend multivitamin supplements that contain inositol when dealing with patients who are experiencing chronic anxiety and other psychological disorders. Adults experiencing excessive stress and anxiety are usually advised to take between 250 mg and 1,000 mg daily for four to eight weeks.
Caution
Inositol maintains an excellent safety profile and no serious side effects or drug interactions have been reported. Even mild side effects are rare, but include potential gastrointestinal discomfort. Inositol is also well-tolerated in children. Despite the lack of toxicity and safety, inositol is not recommended for pregnant women.
References
- "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition"; Martha Stipanuk; 2006
- "Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health"; G. Combs; 2008
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- "Nutritional Sciences"; Michelle McGuire; 2007
