Another supplement? Yes! Inositol is a natural carbohydrate that occurs in a variety of fruits and grains. And inositol supplements support many functions of your body.
The human body makes use of this nutrient in several areas, including the nervous and reproductive systems, along with the brain and liver. When taken at higher doses through a supplement, inositol can have a number of positive effects on those and other areas. (1)
Let's explore!
Insulin resistance, which is a major factor in type 2 diabetes, occurs when the body produces enough insulin but is not able to use it properly. (2)
Instead of being absorbed by the cells that need it, the insulin becomes trapped in the blood where it increases blood sugar levels.
Research has shown that inositol corrects this by increasing the body's insulin sensitivity. This helps protect against type 2 diabetes. (3)
Most of the body's inositol is found in the brain. In fact, the body makes its own inositol to support brain function. There, it helps neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin (mood regulators) do their job. Unsurprisingly, those with mental illnesses like depression tend to have lower levels of inositol in their brains. (6)
Studies have shown that inositol works just as effectively as many anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications on the market. Remarkably, it does so without producing any side effects. (7)
One study also found In addition to these mental health benefits, inositol also reduces symptoms of OCD by 50% in some patients, according to one study. (8)
Benefits of Inositol Supplements
1. Diabetes Prevention
Insulin resistance, which is a major factor in type 2 diabetes, occurs when the body produces enough insulin but is not able to use it properly. (2)
Instead of being absorbed by the cells that need it, the insulin becomes trapped in the blood where it increases blood sugar levels.
Research has shown that inositol corrects this by increasing the body's insulin sensitivity. This helps protect against type 2 diabetes. (3)
2. Increased Fertility
In addition to preventing diabetes, proper insulin function is crucial for fertility. (4) When insulin resistance causes levels of insulin in the blood to rise, too much winds up around the ovaries. This may lead to cyst formation and an increase in testosterone production, both of which reduce a woman's ability to conceive. That's where inositol supplements come in handy. But in an even more impressive analysis of inositol supplementation, the effective of polycystic ovarian syndrom (PCOS) were reversed. You see, in addition to reducing insulin resistance, inositol promotes healthy ovulation and lowers testosterone levels in women. (5)3. Mental Illness Treatment
Most of the body's inositol is found in the brain. In fact, the body makes its own inositol to support brain function. There, it helps neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin (mood regulators) do their job. Unsurprisingly, those with mental illnesses like depression tend to have lower levels of inositol in their brains. (6)
Studies have shown that inositol works just as effectively as many anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications on the market. Remarkably, it does so without producing any side effects. (7)
One study also found In addition to these mental health benefits, inositol also reduces symptoms of OCD by 50% in some patients, according to one study. (8)
