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What is Inositol (Vitamin B8)?

Inositol, also referred to sometimes as Vitamin B8, is a water soluble fatty lipid that is necessary in the body for the formation and maintenance of healthy cells. Inositol directly precedes phospholipids, which are a major component of cell membranes. It ensures proper electrical energy and nutrient transfer across the cell membrane. It also has lipotropic capabilities because inositol can convert fats into other useful products. It is found in many foods, in particular, in cereals with high bran content, nuts, beans, meats, and whole grains and fruit, especially cantaloupe melons and oranges. However, it is not officially regarded as a vitamin as it can be synthesized by intestinal bacteria within the body from glucose.

Inositol, sometimes called vitamin B8, is one of the B complex vitamins that the body needs in small amounts daily to stay healthy. The most common natural form of it is myo-inositol. Inositol is present in all body tissues, with the highest concentrations in the brain and heart, and lens of the eye. As a member of the B-complex family of vitamins, inositol is an important component of cell membranes and is necessary for proper nerve, brain, and muscle function. Inositol is also essential in the communication that occurs between the body's cells. Benefits of inositol include enhanced mood, help with hair growth, nerve function support, weight loss assistance and maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels. Although deficiency is uncommon, heavy intake of caffeine, or the use of some antibiotics, may deplete inositol stores in the body. Inositol has been proven effective in treating some cases of depression, anxiety, OCD and other psychological disorders that respond to serotonin uptake inhibitors. Among the documented benefits of inositol in clinical trials is a decrease in the need for pain medication when patients are given inositol, reduced edema in treatment of scald burns, and in alleviating the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.

Inositol triggers the release of calcium in cells, and for that reason, it has been labeled a ‘second messenger’. It also is integral in transporting messages between neural cells and the movement of fats within cells. It’s most important role seems to be in the central nervous system, where it serves to help transmit messages along neural pathways. Various studies have shown its effectiveness in treating numerous psychological disorders that seem to have a chemical basis, including bulimia, OCD, depression and bipolar mood disorder. Inositol appears to be available in greater concentration in the cells in and around the central nervous system, including brain cells and retinal cells, and in other specialized cells such as bone marrow and intestinal cells. It is also found in high concentration in mother’s milk, leading to the possibility of a link to the immune system. Because of its beneficial effects on the central nervous system and its role in the development of healthy cells, many doctors recommend a supplement that contains inositol. Inositol is highly recommended as a treatment for anxiety, depression, bipolar mood disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorders. Additionally, there is enough evidence available to prove inositol’s use in treating other mood disorders and neuro-psychological disorders.

What is Inositol used for and who uses it?

Inositol plays a role in the health of cell membranes especially the specialized cells in the brain, bone marrow, eyes and intestines. The main task of the cell membranes is to filter and regulate the contents coming in and out of the cells, which makes effective functioning possible. Inositol is also said to promote healthy hair, hair growth, and helps in controlling estrogen levels and may assist in preventing breast lumps. It may also be beneficial in lowering blood cholesterol levels.

Inositol has been used as a nutritional supplement in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PMS and fibroid tumors. It has also been shown to promote restful sleep if taken immediately before bed. Inositol may also promote liver health and help to prevent hardening of the arteries. Among other things, it has been demonstrated as well to promote healthy skin and hair, and helps to lower cholesterol levels, promotes healthy female hormones and aid in the prevention of eczema. Inositol can improve heart health by increasing fat and cholesterol metabolism, and strengthen a healthy liver by removing fat from hepatic tissues.

Among the reported benefits of inositol in clinical settings is a reduction in the need for pain medication when patients are given inositol, a reduction of edema in treatment of scald burns, and in relieving the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. Also, several clinical studies conducted on patients with Alzheimer’s disease showed improvement and delay in the onset of symptoms in those who were treated with inositol, and multiple studies confirm mild to moderate improvement of symptoms in those diagnosed with bipolar mood disorder who were given inositol daily.

How pure is your Inositol?

These pharmaceutical grade carbocyclic polyol Inositol is assayed by the manufacturer to be 99.11% product. You will receive a sealed and labeled heavy duty 4 mil polyethylene bag containing this white powder product. Deficiency is rare as the body manufactures inositol, and it is present in a wide variety of foods. However, long term use of antibiotics increases the need for inositol. So does regular consumption of more than 2 cups of coffee daily, as coffee destroys and depletes this nutrient. Extremely high coffee intake can therefore lead to a deficiency. If you are like one of the millions of people who drink large amounts of coffee on a daily basis, then inositol supplementation would be really beneficial to you. Due to the fact that our product is pharmaceutical grade, these are best utilized by the body, since they do not require digestion and are easily absorbed. Our product also does not contain any fillers, additives or anti-caking agents. If all you want are the health benefits made possible with Inositol, buying this product in bulk is the best way to get there. Buying in bulk is also your best bet for saving money because for sure you’ll pay more at a local nutrition store. Bulk costs are cheaper in the long run and you will receive a great deal at or below wholesale prices for a high purity bulk quantity of this product.

What are some of the common effects of Inositol?

Inositol works closely with choline (which we also have in our inventory) as one of the primary components of cell membranes. It is important for growth of cells in the bone marrow, eye membranes, and intestines. Like choline, Inositol is a lipotropic agent or fat emulsifier, though milder. It helps metabolize fat and cholesterol by breaking down fats into smaller particles that are easier to remove, and reduces fatty build-up in the body organs, especially the liver.

Inositol has a calming effect as it is directly involved in the production and action of neurotransmitters (chemicals that transmit messages between nerve cells) like serotonin and acetylcholine. People who are depressed have been found to have lower levels of inositol than normal. Inositol has been tested as a treatment for depression, and initial evidence is encouraging. In a small double-blind study those on the supplement who took 12 g of inositol daily for 4 weeks showed significant improvement compared to the placebo group.

What is the daily suggested dose of Inositol?

Inositol supplements can be taken in a variety of doses, depending upon individual needs. Inositol supplements are not necessary for most people as deficiencies are very rare. However, for therapeutic purposes, Inositol supplements at a dose of 500 mg taken twice daily are typically recommended. One half level tablespoon will supply approximately 4101 milligrams, or just about 4 grams for the bulk density of this Inositol powder. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for Inositol here.

The commonly recommended dose for Inositol varies from as little as 500 milligrams to as much as 12 grams or more per day.

Sleep aid: 1 to 2 grams per day
Depression: 12 grams per day
Panic attacks: 12 grams per day
Alzheimer's: 6 grams per day
Obsessive compulsive disorder: 18 grams per day

When using inositol, Choline should be taken correspondingly in the same amount. Ideally, it would be best to take the entire B group vitamins with it. Vitamin E, vitamin C as well as folic acid and linoleic acid is believed to enhance the functioning and benefits of inositol. Taking vitamins and minerals in their right dosages and combinations is critical to the proper functioning of all vitamins. They work synergistically, which means that the effectiveness of any one nutrient requires or is enhanced, sometimes dramatically, by the presence of certain other nutrients, so the total effect is greater than the sum of the individual components.

Potential side effects of Inositol

There are no reported side effects to the use of inositol, though it is not recommended for use by pregnant women. Contraindications include, but are not limited to: ADD, ADHD, and schizophrenia. Just to be on the safe side though, always seek the advice of your doctor or a medical professional when planning to add a new supplement to your diet or regimen.

Taste, solubility, and suggested preparation of Inositol

This product dissolves quickly in water and has pleasantly sweet almost sugar-like taste. Just mix your usual dose with water or citrus juice and drink. Keep in mind, however, that while vitamin supplements are useful to plug nutritional gaps that are almost inevitable in modern diets, and to ensure we get optimal doses of nutrients, they are no substitute for a good diet. Instead, use them to complement a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Inositol is used in the following Proprietary Formulas

Optimum Opti-Men, NOW ADAM, Universal Uni-Liver, Twinlab Amino Fuel Liquid, ISS Research Super Vitamin Pak, Twinlab Choline Bitartrate & Inositol, Twinlab Inositol Caps, NSI IP-6 Inositol Hexaphosphate, Source Naturals Inositol & Choline, Jarrow Formulas Inositol Powder, Country Life Choline-Inositol Complex, Nature's Way Choline & Inositol, Source Naturals Inositol Powder, Nature's Way Inositol, Country Life Vegetarian Inositol Powder, Thompson Inositol Powder, Millennium Nutritionals Inositol Powder

Alternate Names of Inositol

Vitamin B8, Phytic Acid, Inositol Hexaphosphate, IP6, Myoinositol

References & Further Research

Inositol treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder
In this study the effectiveness of Inositol in obsessive-compulsive disorder was investigated. Using a double-blind, controlled crossover trial of 18 g/day of inositol or placebo for 6 weeks, the authors conclude that inositol is effective in depression, panic, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, a spectrum of disorders responsive to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Controlled trials of inositol in psychiatry
Inositol is a simple polyol precursor in a second messenger system important in the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid inositol has been reported as decreased in depression. Using a double-blind controlled trial of 12 g daily of inositol in 28 depressed patients for four weeks, results suggest that inositol has therapeutic effects in the spectrum of illness responsive to serotonin selective re-uptake inhibitors, including depression, panic and OCD

Inositol for International Customers

We have the most economical shipping costs & labeling practices for International orders. You can see our shipping costs here. Also, please note, that anything in a 1.5kg package can be shipped within a single flat rate envelope, however our shopping cart mistakenly displays 2 envelopes. Go ahead and ship the order, and you will notice that it only charges you the cost of 1 anyway. Look at the shipping costs tab above to see for yourself how you can calculate these charges.

Buying Inositol Bulk or Wholesale

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