Inositol

    Researchedby:
    Thomas Solomon, Katherine Nguyen

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Gregory Lopez, Nick Milazzo
    Last Updated: August 14, 2023

    Inositol can improve insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, and may help manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and prevent gestational diabetes. The most commonly supplemented forms of inositol are myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol, but all forms are interchangeably referred to as inositol.

    Inositol is most often used for Liver Health. The Examine Database covers Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Depression, and 28 other conditions and goals.

    33 references on this page
    3,363 participants in 41 trials and 9 meta-analyses

    What is inositol?

    Inositol refers to a group of molecules (isomers) that are structurally similar to glucose and involved in cellular signaling.[1][2] Inositol is synthesized in the human body, but is also obtained in the diet from foods like citrus fruits, bran, beans, nuts, and seeds.[3][4][5] Inositol is also taken as a dietary supplement. The majority of inositol supplements contain the myo-inositol form, as it is the most plentiful type of inositol found in the body.[6]

    What are inositol’s main benefits?

    Because supplementation with inositol can increase insulin sensitivity and help improve fasting glucose and postprandial glycemic control,[7][8] inositol might help prevent and/or treat diabetes. One type of diabetes for which the role of inositol has been widely studied is gestational diabetes, a condition characterized by abnormal glucose tolerance and high blood sugar during pregnancy. Meta-analyses show that supplementation with inositol during pregnancy might reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes and related birth complications.[9][10][11] However, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether inositol is efficacious in the treatment of gestational diabetes.[12]

    Inositol shows promise for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS),[13][14][15] a condition characterized by high androgen levels, infertility, and abnormalities in glucose metabolism in women. However, given the small number of studies, the small sample sizes of these studies, and the general low quality of the evidence, further research is needed before firm conclusions can be made.

    Supplementation with inositol may also help support weight loss: some evidence shows it can reduce body mass index (BMI) in people with overweight or obesity.[16] Supplementation with inositol may also reduce blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol.[17][18] However, the confounding effects of dietary intake and physical activity — factors that independently influence weight loss, blood lipids, and blood pressure — have not been clearly controlled in many studies. Consequently, there is a need for further randomized controlled trials examining the direct effect of inositol on these outcomes.

    Does inositol treat mood disorders?

    Does intravenous inositol improve birth outcomes in premature babies?

    What are inositol’s main drawbacks?

    Although studies examining the safety of intravenously-administered inositol in preterm infants do not find a greater incidence of adverse events compared to placebo,[19][20][21] a thorough dose-response study of orally-administered inositol assessing safety and side effects is currently lacking. Consequently, the side effects of inositol are not clearly defined. However, while many randomized controlled trials of inositol fail to report side effects,[7] meta-analyses typically conclude that side effects following supplementation with inositol are not common.[7][12][9][11][15] That said, gastrointestinal problems like nausea and diarrhea have been documented at very high orally-administered doses (e.g., up to 12 grams of inositol per day) in adults.[22][6]

    How does inositol work?

    Inositols are molecules naturally present in the body with a role in various cellular signaling pathways.[6][23][24] The most robust effect of supplementation with inositol is on blood glucose control,[7][8][9][10][11] and this effect may be explained by inositol’s role in insulin signaling and its ability to increase insulin sensitivity.[6][23][24] However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism(s) of action.[1][2]

    What are other names for Inositol

    Note that Inositol is also known as:
    • Myoinositol
    • Cyclohexanehexol
    • 6-cyclohexanehexol
    • 1 2 3 4 5 6-cyclohexanehexol
    Inositol should not be confused with:
    • D-pinitol (structurally related)

    Dosage information

    Studies finding beneficial effects of inositol on gestational diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome typically administer myo-inositol in the range of 1–4 grams (1000–4000 milligrams) once daily.

    Examine Database: Inositol

    Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    Depression
    Infertility
    Gestational Diabetes
    Metabolic Syndrome
    Schizophrenia
    Alzheimer’s Disease
    Anxiety
    Panic Disorder
    Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
    Autism Spectrum Disorder
    High Cholesterol
    Menopause
    Obesity
    Premenstrual Syndrome
    Psoriasis
    Type 2 Diabetes
    Agoraphobia
    Binge Eating Disorder
    Bipolar Disorder
    Cognitive Improvement
    Dyslipidemia
    Hirsutism
    Infant Health
    Lung Cancer
    Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
    Overweight
    Prediabetes
    Premature Birth
    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

    Research FeedRead all studies

    Frequently asked questions

    What is inositol?

    Inositol refers to a group of molecules (isomers) that are structurally similar to glucose and involved in cellular signaling.[1][2] Inositol is synthesized in the human body, but is also obtained in the diet from foods like citrus fruits, bran, beans, nuts, and seeds.[3][4][5] Inositol is also taken as a dietary supplement. The majority of inositol supplements contain the myo-inositol form, as it is the most plentiful type of inositol found in the body.[6]

    What are inositol’s main benefits?

    Because supplementation with inositol can increase insulin sensitivity and help improve fasting glucose and postprandial glycemic control,[7][8] inositol might help prevent and/or treat diabetes. One type of diabetes for which the role of inositol has been widely studied is gestational diabetes, a condition characterized by abnormal glucose tolerance and high blood sugar during pregnancy. Meta-analyses show that supplementation with inositol during pregnancy might reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes and related birth complications.[9][10][11] However, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether inositol is efficacious in the treatment of gestational diabetes.[12]

    Inositol shows promise for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS),[13][14][15] a condition characterized by high androgen levels, infertility, and abnormalities in glucose metabolism in women. However, given the small number of studies, the small sample sizes of these studies, and the general low quality of the evidence, further research is needed before firm conclusions can be made.

    Supplementation with inositol may also help support weight loss: some evidence shows it can reduce body mass index (BMI) in people with overweight or obesity.[16] Supplementation with inositol may also reduce blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol.[17][18] However, the confounding effects of dietary intake and physical activity — factors that independently influence weight loss, blood lipids, and blood pressure — have not been clearly controlled in many studies. Consequently, there is a need for further randomized controlled trials examining the direct effect of inositol on these outcomes.

    Does inositol treat mood disorders?

    Imaging studies show that inositol levels in the brain are involved in the pathogenesis of mood disorders, including anxiety and depression.[25] While studies in rodents have shown beneficial effects of inositol on anxiety,[25][26][27] the current evidence does not support its use for treating mood disorders in humans.[25][28][29] However, there are few clinical studies on this topic and further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed.

    Does intravenous inositol improve birth outcomes in premature babies?

    Myo-inositol is sometimes given intravenously for the nutritional management of premature babies. While this is likely safe for the baby,[19][20][21] the current evidence shows that myo-inositol is unlikely to reduce mortality (risk of death) or prevent conditions like retinopathy of prematurity and respiratory distress syndrome when given intravenously to premature babies.[30][21][31]

    What are inositol’s main drawbacks?

    Although studies examining the safety of intravenously-administered inositol in preterm infants do not find a greater incidence of adverse events compared to placebo,[19][20][21] a thorough dose-response study of orally-administered inositol assessing safety and side effects is currently lacking. Consequently, the side effects of inositol are not clearly defined. However, while many randomized controlled trials of inositol fail to report side effects,[7] meta-analyses typically conclude that side effects following supplementation with inositol are not common.[7][12][9][11][15] That said, gastrointestinal problems like nausea and diarrhea have been documented at very high orally-administered doses (e.g., up to 12 grams of inositol per day) in adults.[22][6]

    How does inositol work?

    Inositols are molecules naturally present in the body with a role in various cellular signaling pathways.[6][23][24] The most robust effect of supplementation with inositol is on blood glucose control,[7][8][9][10][11] and this effect may be explained by inositol’s role in insulin signaling and its ability to increase insulin sensitivity.[6][23][24] However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism(s) of action.[1][2]

    Update History

    Examine Database References

    1. Weight - M Nordio, E ProiettiThe combined therapy with myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol reduces the risk of metabolic disease in PCOS overweight patients compared to myo-inositol supplementation aloneEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2012 May)
    2. Weight - Gerli S, Papaleo E, Ferrari A, Di Renzo GCRandomized, double blind placebo-controlled trial: effects of myo-inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOSEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2007 Sep-Oct)
    3. Weight - Gerli S, Mignosa M, Di Renzo GCEffects of inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2003 Nov-Dec)
    4. Weight - Alessandro D Genazzani, Alessia Prati, Susanna Santagni, Federica Ricchieri, Elisa Chierchia, Erica Rattighieri, Annalisa Campedelli, Tommaso Simoncini, Paolo G ArtiniDifferential insulin response to myo-inositol administration in obese polycystic ovary syndrome patientsGynecol Endocrinol.(2012 Dec)
    5. Weight - Donà G, Sabbadin C, Fiore C, Bragadin M, Giorgino FL, Ragazzi E, Clari G, Bordin L, Armanini DInositol administration reduces oxidative stress in erythrocytes of patients with polycystic ovary syndromeEur J Endocrinol.(2012 Apr)
    6. Glycemic Control - Zacchè MM, Caputo L, Filippis S, Zacchè G, Dindelli M, Ferrari AEfficacy of myo-inositol in the treatment of cutaneous disorders in young women with polycystic ovary syndromeGynecol Endocrinol.(2009 Aug)
    7. Glycemic Control - Costantino D, Minozzi G, Minozzi E, Guaraldi CMetabolic and hormonal effects of myo-inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2009 Mar-Apr)
    8. Glycemic Control - Iuorno MJ, Jakubowicz DJ, Baillargeon JP, Dillon P, Gunn RD, Allan G, Nestler JEEffects of d-chiro-inositol in lean women with the polycystic ovary syndromeEndocr Pract.(2002 Nov-Dec)
    9. Glycemic Control - Genazzani AD, Lanzoni C, Ricchieri F, Jasonni VMMyo-inositol administration positively affects hyperinsulinemia and hormonal parameters in overweight patients with polycystic ovary syndromeGynecol Endocrinol.(2008 Mar)
    10. Glycemic Control - Miñambres I, Cuixart G, Gonçalves A, Corcoy REffects of inositol on glucose homeostasis: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsClin Nutr.(2019 Jun)
    11. Fertility - Papaleo E, Unfer V, Baillargeon JP, Fusi F, Occhi F, De Santis LMyo-inositol may improve oocyte quality in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. A prospective, controlled, randomized trialFertil Steril.(2009 May)
    12. Fertility - Raffone E, Rizzo P, Benedetto VInsulin sensitiser agents alone and in co-treatment with r-FSH for ovulation induction in PCOS womenGynecol Endocrinol.(2010 Apr)
    13. Fertility - Ciotta L, Stracquadanio M, Pagano I, Carbonaro A, Palumbo M, Gulino FEffects of myo-inositol supplementation on oocyte's quality in PCOS patients: a double blind trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2011 May)
    14. Fertility - Unfer V, Carlomagno G, Rizzo P, Raffone E, Roseff SMyo-inositol rather than D-chiro-inositol is able to improve oocyte quality in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. A prospective, controlled, randomized trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2011 Apr)
    15. Fertility - Enrico Papaleo, Vittorio Unfer, Jean-Patrice Baillargeon, Lucia De Santis, Francesco Fusi, Claudio Brigante, Guido Marelli, Ilaria Cino, Anna Redaelli, Augusto FerrariMyo-inositol in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a novel method for ovulation inductionGynecol Endocrinol.(2007 Dec)
    16. Gestational Diabetes Risk - D'Anna R, Di Benedetto V, Rizzo P, Raffone E, Interdonato ML, Corrado F, Di Benedetto AMyo-inositol may prevent gestational diabetes in PCOS womenGynecol Endocrinol.(2012 Jun)
    17. Pregnancy Complications - Showell MG, Mackenzie-Proctor R, Jordan V, Hodgson R, Farquhar CInositol for subfertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2018-12-20)
    18. Fasting Glucose - Greff D, Juhász AE, Váncsa S, Váradi A, Sipos Z, Szinte J, Park S, Hegyi P, Nyirády P, Ács N, Várbíró S, Horváth EMInositol is an effective and safe treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Reprod Biol Endocrinol.(2023-Jan-26)
    19. Weight - Maeba R, Hara H, Ishikawa H, Hayashi S, Yoshimura N, Kusano J, Takeoka Y, Yasuda D, Okazaki T, Kinoshita M, Teramoto TMyo-inositol treatment increases serum plasmalogens and decreases small dense LDL, particularly in hyperlipidemic subjects with metabolic syndromeJ Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo).(2008 Jun)
    20. Weight - Santamaria A, Giordano D, Corrado F, Pintaudi B, Interdonato ML, Vieste GD, Benedetto AD, D'Anna ROne-year effects of myo-inositol supplementation in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndromeClimacteric.(2012 Oct)
    21. Lung Cancer Risk - Stephen Lam, Annette McWilliams, Jean LeRiche, Calum MacAulay, Lee Wattenberg, Eva SzaboA phase I study of myo-inositol for lung cancer chemopreventionCancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev.(2006 Aug)
    22. Excessive Hair Growth - Minozzi M, D'Andrea G, Unfer VTreatment of hirsutism with myo-inositol: a prospective clinical studyReprod Biomed Online.(2008 Oct)
    23. Depression Symptoms - Levine J, Barak Y, Gonzalves M, Szor H, Elizur A, Kofman O, Belmaker RHDouble-blind, controlled trial of inositol treatment of depressionAm J Psychiatry.(1995 May)
    24. Depression Symptoms - Joseph Levine, Mirtha Gonsalves, Izak Babur, Shaul Stier, Avner Elizur, Ora Kofman, R. H. BelmakerInositol 6 g daily may be effective in depression but not in schizophreniaHuman Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental.()
    25. Depression Symptoms - Nierenberg AA, Ostacher MJ, Calabrese JR, Ketter TA, Marangell LB, Miklowitz DJ, Miyahara S, Bauer MS, Thase ME, Wisniewski SR, Sachs GSTreatment-resistant bipolar depression: a STEP-BD equipoise randomized effectiveness trial of antidepressant augmentation with lamotrigine, inositol, or risperidoneAm J Psychiatry.(2006 Feb)
    26. Depression Symptoms - Nemets B, Mishory A, Levine J, Belmaker RHInositol addition does not improve depression in SSRI treatment failuresJ Neural Transm.(1999)
    27. Depression Symptoms - Taylor MJ, Wilder H, Bhagwagar Z, Geddes JInositol for depressive disorders.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2004)
    28. Depression Symptoms - Tomohiko Mukai, Taro Kishi, Yuki Matsuda, Nakao IwataA meta-analysis of inositol for depression and anxiety disordersHum Psychopharmacol.(2014 Jan)
    29. Anxiety Symptoms - Gelber D, Levine J, Belmaker RHEffect of inositol on bulimia nervosa and binge eatingInt J Eat Disord.(2001 Apr)
    30. Glycemic Control - Wei J, Yan J, Yang HInositol Nutritional Supplementation for the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Nutrients.(2022-Jul-09)
    31. Glycemic Control - Corrado F, D'Anna R, Di Vieste G, Giordano D, Pintaudi B, Santamaria A, Di Benedetto AThe effect of myoinositol supplementation on insulin resistance in patients with gestational diabetesDiabet Med.(2011 Aug)
    32. Fasting Glucose - Brown J, Crawford TJ, Alsweiler J, Crowther CADietary supplementation with myo-inositol in women during pregnancy for treating gestational diabetes.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2016-Sep-07)
    33. Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms - Salloway S, Sperling R, Keren R, Porsteinsson AP, van Dyck CH, Tariot PN, Gilman S, Arnold D, Abushakra S, Hernandez C, Crans G, Liang E, Quinn G, Bairu M, Pastrak A, Cedarbaum JM, ELND005-AD201 InvestigatorsA phase 2 randomized trial of ELND005, scyllo-inositol, in mild to moderate Alzheimer diseaseNeurology.(2011 Sep 27)
    34. Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms - Barak Y, Levine J, Glasman A, Elizur A, Belmaker RHInositol treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, cross-over placebo controlled trialProg Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry.(1996 May)
    35. Fertility - Lisi F, Carfagna P, Oliva MM, Rago R, Lisi R, Poverini R, Manna C, Vaquero E, Caserta D, Raparelli V, Marci R, Moscarini MPretreatment with myo-inositol in non polycystic ovary syndrome patients undergoing multiple follicular stimulation for IVF: a pilot studyReprod Biol Endocrinol.(2012 Jul 23)
    36. Schizophrenia symptoms - Levine J, Umansky R, Ezrielev G, Belmaker RHLack of effect of inositol treatment in chronic schizophreniaBiol Psychiatry.(1993 Apr 15-May 1)
    37. Schizophrenia symptoms - Levine J, Goldberger I, Rapaport A, Schwartz M, Schield C, Elizur A, Belmaker RH, Shapiro J, Agam GCSF inositol in schizophrenia and high-dose inositol treatment of schizophreniaEur Neuropsychopharmacol.(1994 Dec)
    38. Anxiety Symptoms - Palatnik A, Frolov K, Fux M, Benjamin JDouble-blind, controlled, crossover trial of inositol versus fluvoxamine for the treatment of panic disorderJ Clin Psychopharmacol.(2001 Jun)
    39. Anxiety Symptoms - Benjamin J, Levine J, Fux M, Aviv A, Levy D, Belmaker RHDouble-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of inositol treatment for panic disorderAm J Psychiatry.(1995 Jul)
    40. Depression Symptoms - Gianfranco C, Vittorio U, Silvia B, Francesco DMyo-inositol in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorderHum Psychopharmacol.(2011 Oct)
    41. PMS Symptoms - Nemets B, Talesnick B, Belmaker RH, Levine JMyo-inositol has no beneficial effect on premenstrual dysphoric disorderWorld J Biol Psychiatry.(2002 Jul)
    42. Bipolar Disorder Symptoms - Chengappa KN, Levine J, Gershon S, Mallinger AG, Hardan A, Vagnucci A, Pollock B, Luther J, Buttenfield J, Verfaille S, Kupfer DJInositol as an add-on treatment for bipolar depressionBipolar Disord.(2000 Mar)
    43. Autism Symptoms - Levine J, Aviram A, Holan A, Ring A, Barak Y, Belmaker RHInositol treatment of autismJ Neural Transm.(1997)
    44. OCD Symptoms - Fux M, Levine J, Aviv A, Belmaker RHInositol treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorderAm J Psychiatry.(1996 Sep)
    45. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms - Kaplan Z, Amir M, Swartz M, Levine JInositol treatment of post-traumatic stress disorderAnxiety.(1996)
    46. Forgetting - Levine J, Pomerantz T, Stier S, Belmaker RHLack of effect of 6 g inositol treatment of post-ECT cognitive function in humansJ Psychiatr Res.(1995 Nov-Dec)
    47. Psoriasis Symptoms - Allan SJ, Kavanagh GM, Herd RM, Savin JAThe effect of inositol supplements on the psoriasis of patients taking lithium: a randomized, placebo-controlled trialBr J Dermatol.(2004 May)
    48. Panic Attacks - Benjamin J, Nemetz H, Fux M, Bleichman I, Agam GAcute inositol does not attenuate m-CPP-induced anxiety, mydriasis and endocrine effects in panic disorderJ Psychiatr Res.(1997 Jul-Aug)
    49. Triglycerides - Tabrizi R, Ostadmohammadi V, Lankarani KB, Peymani P, Akbari M, Kolahdooz F, Asemi ZThe effects of inositol supplementation on lipid profiles among patients with metabolic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Lipids Health Dis.(2018-May-24)
    50. Retinal Function - Du Y, He Y, Wang YL, Zhou JG, Chen CThe efficacy and safety of inositol supplementation in preterm infants to prevent retinopathy of prematurity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Ophthalmol.(2019-Jun-25)