Benefits of inositol (Vitamin B8) in your body

Carlos Sánchez 7 min. of reading Vitamins Leave a comment

Inositol, particularly in its forms of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol, has been shown to be effective in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome, improving ovarian function.
Vitamin B8 plays a vital role in nerve impulse transmission and neurotransmitter synthesis, making it essential for preventing a wide range of psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Inositol contributes to the reduction of LDL cholesterol and the prevention of fat accumulation, thereby supporting cardiovascular health and helping to prevent metabolic syndrome.

Inositol, or vitamin B8, is a nutrient that plays a discreet yet important role in body chemistry. Although it is not essential in an adult’s diet due to our body’s innate ability to synthesise it, its importance during critical stages of development stands out.

This compound, positioned between carbohydrates and B-complex vitamins, has significant biological effects once absorbed into the system. In this post, we will explore its benefits and reveal how inositol can contribute to your overall health.

Contributes to the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Participates in tissue organisation.
Reduces cholesterol and fat accumulation.
Helps stimulate the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract.
Prevents metabolic syndrome.

Index

1 1 Contributes to the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome
2 2 Participates in tissue organisation
3 3 Reduces cholesterol and fat accumulation
4 4 Helps stimulate the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract
5 5 Prevents metabolic syndrome
6 Inositol deficiency: should you be concerned?
7 How and when should you take B8?
8 And what is the recommended daily dose?
9 Are there any side effects or contraindications?

1 Contributes to the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome

Inositol has attracted interest in the scientific community for its potential in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine condition that can affect fertility and other aspects of women’s health.

Inositol, in its forms of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol, plays a role in the regulation of several hormonal and metabolic processes that are often imbalanced in PCOS.

Research suggests that inositol may help improve ovarian function, reduce androgen levels (male hormones that are elevated in PCOS) and increase insulin sensitivity. Women who suffer from the aforementioned Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can opt for two substances: myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol.

2 Participates in tissue organisation

Inositol can essentially be considered fundamental for nerve impulse transmission and neurotransmitter synthesis.

From this property stems an extensive catalogue of pathological processes related to the nervous system, which may be prevented with adequate intake and internal synthesis of inositol.

Depression.
Bipolar disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Agoraphobia, or fear of open spaces, and claustrophobia, or fear of enclosed spaces.
Attention deficit associated with hyperactivity.
Anorexia and bulimia.

It has been observed that inositol levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that bathes the central nervous system internally) of individuals who suffer from depression are noticeably low.

3 Reduces cholesterol and fat accumulation

The organic compound we are analysing reduces LDL cholesterol, preventing fat deposits from accumulating. In fact, it has been found that, in conjunction with choline, it can reduce blood cholesterol.

It distributes fat throughout the body, removing it from the areas where it accumulates. This circumstance helps keep the liver free from fat accumulation, providing a detox effect.

4 Helps stimulate the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract

It helps regulate peristalsis or intestinal motility and, accordingly, helps tackle constipation.

Due to its vitamin-like status, it is a necessary collaborator in the enzymatic activity of numerous chemical reactions in metabolism:

Eyesight, hair and skin.
Optimal digestion and good condition of the digestive system.
Regulation in the formation of bone marrow cells that are essential for blood circulation and the immune system.

5 Prevents metabolic syndrome

Closely linked to changes in insulin resistance is what is known as metabolic syndrome, in which inositol also takes centre stage by preventing some of the alterations that form part of it, such as hyperlipidaemia (high levels of fat in the blood) or obesity.

Indeed, a 20% reduction in LDL cholesterol levels, or “bad cholesterol”, has been observed — a reliable indicator of optimal control of the predisposition to metabolic syndrome, given its status as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Inositol deficiency: should you be concerned?

Yes, you should. We are sorry to say that an inositol deficiency should concern you insofar as it is capable of greatly worsening your quality of life, and may also be at the root of a multitude of significant long-term health disorders. These are the main problems that an inositol deficiency may cause:

Eye diseases, as the eyes are one of the organs in the body with the highest concentration of inositol. For this reason, a vitamin B8 deficiency could be the cause of night blindness and photophobia (a condition that makes it extremely difficult to tolerate direct light).
It intensifies neurological problems in people with diabetes, causing what is known as diabetic neuropathy.
It may lead to relaxation of the smooth muscle fibres of the intestinal wall, which are responsible for maintaining peristalsis, becoming a predisposing factor for constipation.
Male infertility, because inside the testicles, vitamin B8 contributes to sperm production.
Other nervous problems. As a vitamin, one of its functions is to act in the enzymatic mechanisms that regulate the balance between copper and zinc in neurons. As might be expected, its absence causes this balance to break down, with copper becoming the predominant factor. This circumstance could lead to a considerable number of nervous system problems, such as distress, phobias or insomnia.

How and when should you take B8?

The first thing you need to know in this regard is that a balanced diet guarantees that the daily requirements of this nutrient are met. According to the opinion of most specialists, around one gram of inositol per day would be the amount they agree we need.

Although, based on what we have just said, you should in principle have no problem covering the daily requirements of vitamin B8 if you eat well, the truth is that reality ultimately takes over and perhaps your lifestyle does not allow you to follow as healthy a diet as you would like.

Another factor that could also lead to a lack of inositol is suffering from a disorder that increases the required levels of dietary supplements.

And what is the recommended daily dose?

One thing is the standard dose of inositol, which ranges between 0.5 and 2 grams daily, and another is what may be needed in particularly demanding situations:

In more aggressive therapeutic approaches, such as in the case of depression, sometimes up to 12 grams per day are required, which are normally well tolerated
For the treatment of the psychiatric disorders mentioned above, the prescribed dose is between 10 and 12 grams per day, for which a water-soluble powder format is usually chosen.

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Are there any side effects or contraindications?

When taken at the recommended doses, inositol is a safe substance. However, in an extreme case, a dose of 10 g per kg of body weight of this vitamin could trigger fatal consequences.

Although there are not many, there are a number of contraindications in relation to taking vitamin B8.

The following should not take inositol…

Children with hyperactivity disorders.
People affected by bipolar disorder.

Are you pregnant? Then you should consult your doctor about whether taking inositol is appropriate, as during pregnancy a state of insulin resistance develops that often leads to a picture of gestational type 2 diabetes.

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