While inositol is sometimes referred to as a B vitamin, you do not need to eat foods with inositol as you do with other B vitamins. Nevertheless, inositol is present throughout the human body and especially in the heart and brain. Inositol serves several important functions in the body, comprising part of all cell membranes, contributing to the function of nerves and muscles, and helping the liver process fats. Inositol may also have therapeutic uses in the treatment of certain health conditions. Do not take inositol supplements without your doctor's approval.
Nutritional Facts
Inositol, an isomer of glucose, is not an essential nutrient, as the body can make its own. However, the typical American diet also provides inositol, in the form of phytic acid, in amounts of approximately 1,000 mg per day, according to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dietary sources of inositol include beans, brewer's yeast, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, legumes, lecithin, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Human breast milk also provides high amounts of inositol for infants. According to Nutros.com, drinking a lot of coffee -- more than two cups per day -- may deplete inositol stores.
Inositol and Depression Facts
Researchers have examined the possible benefits of inositol supplementation for treating depression. According to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, inositol participates in the action of neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps regulate mood, and depressed people may have lower-than-normal levels of inositol in their spinal fluid. BIDMC notes that some, but not all, studies indicate that inositol supplementation may help depression. In particular, one double-blind study using 28 depressed subjects concluded that four weeks of inositol supplementation in amounts of 12 g per day produced significant depression-relief benefits compared to a placebo group.
Factual Evidence for Other Uses
Some evidence from clinical research also indicates beneficial effects of inositol for other conditions. A study published in "The New England Journal of Medicine" in 1992 concluded that administration of inositol to infants with respiratory distress syndrome improved survival outcomes. Also, according to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, medical literature indicates inositol supplementation may also possibly help treat panic disorder, bipolar disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome and metabolic syndrome. Further research is required before inositol can be recommended as a treatment for any of these conditions, however.
Safety Facts
According to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, inositol supplements are not associated with any known adverse health effects, although no long-term safety studies on inositol have been conducted. Moreover, the safety of inositol has not been established for children, pregnant or nursing women, or individuals with severe liver or kidney disease. BIDMC also warns that inositol may trigger manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder. As with any dietary supplement, you should not take inositol without the supervision of a licensed health care provider.
Member Comments