Inositol

Inositol is a 'cousin' of glucose (sugar). Inositol can be made by our body and our intestinal bacteria. We also get about 1 gram a day (1,000 mg) from the food we eat. Beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are good sources.

Inositol is critical to cell communication and helps nerves and muscles work. Inositol also helps the body process fats.

Some small but well-done studies have found that inositol improves:

• Depression

• Panic disorder: fewer and less severe panic attacks; worked as well as the prescription drug but with less side effects.

• Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD)

How Much?

6 to 18 grams a day have been used safely.

Cautions?

Inositol is usually free of side effects and O.K. to take with other medications however:

• Inositol may trigger mania in people with bipolar depression, so use only under medical supervision.

• Inositol breakdown is impaired in people with diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, galactosemia, and multiple sclerosis.
  

It is very important to buy from a good company because when you take something in large amounts, even a small amount of contaminant could add up to a real problem.

-Sara Lee Thomas, RD

revised. 04-2004

Minor editorial revisions by J. Thomas, 2016