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Dr. Grey AI

Supplement

Inositol

Inositol is a sugar-like compound the body makes that helps cells respond to insulin and relay signals. Most people look at it for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where the evidence is strong overall, and trials found blood glucose improved and acne symptoms eased. Still, the glucose result came from two small studies and the acne result from one trial of 50 women.

Sources: PMID 36703143; PMID 19551544; PMID 22774396

Best evidence
Grade B
Conditions studied
28
Outcomes
102
Graded outcomes
03116

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

28 conditions

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anxiety Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect3 studies41 people

Studies that measured anxiety symptoms

Panic AttacksImproves (the measure goes down)1 study53 people

Studies that measured panic attacks

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect2 studies131 people

Studies that measured blood glucose

Acne Symptoms

Moderate Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect1 study50 people

Studies that measured acne symptoms

WeightImproves (the measure goes down)6 studies399 people

Studies that measured weight

Glycemic ControlImproves (the measure goes up)4 studies531 people

Studies that measured glycemic control

FertilityImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies238 people

Studies that measured fertility

OvulationImproves (the measure goes up)2 studies140 people
Excessive Hair GrowthImproves (the measure goes up)1 study50 people
Gestational Diabetes RiskChanges; see studies1 study83 people
InsulinChanges; see studies1 study131 people
Pregnancy ComplicationsImproves (the measure goes up)1 study535 people
TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)1 study131 people
Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)112 people
Body Mass Index (BMI)Improves (the measure goes down)26 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)131 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)131 people
Oocyte QualityImproves (the measure goes up)118 people
Oocyte QuantityImproves (the measure goes up)34 people
Oxidative Stress BiomarkersImproves (the measure goes down)26 people
PCOS SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)727 people
TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)26 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)131 people

Metabolic Syndrome

  • Blood glucose: improves
  • Weight: improves
  • Glycemic Control: improves
Metabolic Syndrome: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect2 studies147 people

Studies that measured blood glucose

WeightImproves (the measure goes down)6 studies147 people

Studies that measured weight

Glycemic ControlImproves (the measure goes up)4 studies130 people

Studies that measured glycemic control

InsulinChanges; see studies1 study130 people

Studies that measured insulin

TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)1 study97 people

Studies that measured triglycerides

Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)164 people
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves (the measure goes down)17 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)97 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)34 people
PCOS SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)50 people
PlasmalogensImproves (the measure goes up)34 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)97 people

Overweight

  • Glycemic Control: improves
  • Insulin: changes; see studies
  • PCOS Symptoms: improves
Overweight: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Glycemic Control

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect4 studies20 people

Studies that measured glycemic control

InsulinChanges; see studies1 study20 people

Studies that measured insulin

PCOS SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)20 people

Infertility

  • Fertility: improves
  • Oocyte Quality: improves
  • Oocyte Quantity: improves
Infertility: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Fertility

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect3 studies184 people

Studies that measured fertility

Oocyte QualityImproves (the measure goes up)84 people
Oocyte QuantityImproves (the measure goes up)100 people
PCOS SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)184 people

Agoraphobia

  • Anxiety Symptoms: improves
  • Panic Attacks: improves
Agoraphobia: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anxiety Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect3 studies21 people

Studies that measured anxiety symptoms

Panic AttacksImproves (the measure goes down)1 study21 people

Studies that measured panic attacks

Binge Eating Disorder

  • Anxiety Symptoms: improves
  • Depression Symptoms: improves
  • Binge-eating: improves
Binge Eating Disorder: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anxiety Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect3 studies24 people

Studies that measured anxiety symptoms

Depression SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)5 studies24 people

Studies that measured depression symptoms

Binge-eatingImproves (the measure goes up)24 people

Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD)

  • Anxiety Symptoms: improves
  • Depression Symptoms: improves
  • OCD Symptoms: improves
Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD): outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anxiety Symptoms

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect3 studies13 people

Studies that measured anxiety symptoms

Depression SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)5 studies13 people

Studies that measured depression symptoms

OCD SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)1 study13 people

Studies that measured ocd symptoms

High Cholesterol

  • Blood glucose: improves
  • Weight: improves
  • Triglycerides: improves
High Cholesterol: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect2 studies17 people

Studies that measured blood glucose

WeightImproves (the measure goes down)6 studies17 people

Studies that measured weight

TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)1 study17 people

Studies that measured triglycerides

Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)34 people
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves (the measure goes down)17 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)17 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)34 people
PlasmalogensImproves (the measure goes up)34 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)17 people

Menopause

  • Blood glucose: improves
  • Weight: improves
  • Glycemic Control: improves
Menopause: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect2 studies80 people

Studies that measured blood glucose

WeightImproves (the measure goes down)6 studies80 people

Studies that measured weight

Glycemic ControlImproves (the measure goes up)4 studies80 people

Studies that measured glycemic control

InsulinChanges; see studies1 study80 people

Studies that measured insulin

TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)1 study80 people

Studies that measured triglycerides

Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)80 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)80 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)80 people

Obesity

  • Blood glucose: improves
  • Weight: improves
  • Glycemic Control: improves
Obesity: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect2 studies42 people

Studies that measured blood glucose

WeightImproves (the measure goes down)6 studies42 people

Studies that measured weight

Glycemic ControlImproves (the measure goes up)4 studies42 people

Studies that measured glycemic control

InsulinChanges; see studies1 study84 people

Studies that measured insulin

Hirsutism

  • Blood glucose: improves
  • Excessive Hair Growth: improves
  • Insulin: changes; see studies
Hirsutism: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect2 studies46 people

Studies that measured blood glucose

Excessive Hair GrowthImproves (the measure goes up)1 study46 people

Studies that measured excessive hair growth

InsulinChanges; see studies1 study46 people

Studies that measured insulin

Gestational Diabetes

  • Adiponectin: improves
  • Glycemic Control: improves
  • Blood glucose: improves
Gestational Diabetes: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Adiponectin

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect69 people
Glycemic ControlImproves (the measure goes up)4 studies1,321 people
Blood glucoseImproves (the measure goes down)2 studies142 people
Gestational Diabetes RiskChanges; see studies1 study1,321 people

Schizophrenia

  • Depression Symptoms
  • Schizophrenia symptoms: improves
Schizophrenia: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Depression Symptoms

No effect

NoneNo effect5 studies21 people
Schizophrenia symptomsImproves (the measure goes down)2 studies44 people

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

  • Depression Symptoms
  • PMS Symptoms: improves
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Depression Symptoms

No effect

NoneNo effect5 studies71 people
PMS SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)1 study82 people

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

  • Depression Symptoms
  • PMS Symptoms: improves
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Depression Symptoms

No effect

NoneNo effect5 studies71 people
PMS SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)1 study71 people

Depression

  • Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
  • Depression Symptoms: improves
  • Schizophrenia symptoms: improves
Depression: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

No effect

NoneNo effect1 study66 people
Depression SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)5 studies113 people
Schizophrenia symptomsImproves (the measure goes down)2 studies21 people

Bipolar Disorder

  • Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
  • Depression Symptoms: improves
Bipolar Disorder: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

No effect

NoneNo effect1 study24 people
Depression SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)5 studies24 people

Dyslipidemia

  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
  • Triglycerides: improves
  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): improves
Dyslipidemia: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

No effect

NoneNo effect757 people
TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)1 study819 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)346 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)819 people

Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms: improves
Alzheimer’s Disease: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Alzheimer's Disease SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)2 studies177 people

Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms: changes; see studies
Alzheimer’s Disease: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Alzheimer's Disease SymptomsChanges; see studies2 studies177 people

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  • Autism Symptoms: improves
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Autism SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)1 study9 people

Psoriasis

  • Psoriasis Symptoms: improves
Psoriasis: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Psoriasis SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)1 study15 people

Cognitive Improvement

  • Forgetting: improves
Cognitive Improvement: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
ForgettingImproves (the measure goes up)1 study12 people

Infant Health

  • Retinal Function: improves
Infant Health: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Retinal FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)1 study898 people

Lung Cancer

  • Lung Cancer Risk: changes; see studies
Lung Cancer: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Lung Cancer RiskChanges; see studies1 study10 people

Premature Birth

  • Gestational Diabetes Risk: changes; see studies
Premature Birth: outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Gestational Diabetes RiskChanges; see studies1 study83 people

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: improves
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): outcomes studied for Inositol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)1 study12 people

What the published studies found

1 automated reading

Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), for outcomes Dr. Grey has not graded yet. It is not a Dr. Grey grade and does not change one. How it is read

  • Sleep quality

    The studies read are too weak to tell whether Inositol changes sleep quality. They lean toward an improvement, which is not enough to claim one. The evidence is very weak.

    1 study counted of 4 read: 1 trial (60 people in the trials).
    1. Randomised trial, 2022; 60 people; pregnant women with low-risk singleton pregnancies: improves. mean difference of the total sleep quality score between the two groups was -1.537 The impact of myo-inositol supplementation on sleep quality in pregnant women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyPubMed 32933356

    Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), run 30 Sep 2026. It reads abstracts, can miss studies, and a repeat run can differ.

Key findings

  • Anxiety SymptomsPanic DisorderImproves (the measure goes down)
  • Blood glucosePolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)Improves (the measure goes down)
  • Glycemic ControlOverweightImproves (the measure goes up)

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Third-party tested Inositol products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.

  • Grade B

Links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Fullscript asks for a free account before it shows its catalog and prices. Full disclosure

Studies cited

55 studies from PubMed

  1. Myo-Inositol in Patients with PCOS: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisReprod Biomed Online, 2018 · PMID 30157465
  2. Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol in PCOS Treatment: A Meta-AnalysisEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2018 · PMID 29386119
  3. Inositol and Insulin Resistance: Mechanisms and Clinical EvidenceBiochimie, 2018 · PMID 30107589
  4. Inositol and Depression: A Systematic ReviewEur Neuropsychopharmacol, 2018 · PMID 30315869
  5. Inositol and PCOS: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical EvidenceGynecol Endocrinol, 2017 · PMID 28983169
  6. Inositol in Anxiety Disorders: A Systematic ReviewJ Affect Disord, 2017 · PMID 28467512
  7. Myo-Inositol in Gestational Diabetes: A Meta-AnalysisDiabetes Res Clin Pract, 2017 · PMID 29215127
  8. Inositol and Fertility: A Comprehensive ReviewEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2017 · PMID 28631564
  9. Safety and Efficacy of Inositol in Clinical Practice: A ReviewGynecol Endocrinol, 2017 · PMID 29071296
  10. Inositol Effects on Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic ReviewExpert Rev Clin Pharmacol, 2016 · PMID 27729235
  11. The 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 · PMID 22774396
  12. Effects of inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci · PMID 15206484
  13. Differential insulin response to myo-inositol administration in obese polycystic ovary syndrome patientsGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 22612517
  14. Inositol administration reduces oxidative stress in erythrocytes of patients with polycystic ovary syndromeEur J Endocrinol · PMID 22223702
  15. Effects of d-chiro-inositol in lean women with the polycystic ovary syndromeEndocr Pract · PMID 15251831
  16. Insulin sensitiser agents alone and in co-treatment with r-FSH for ovulation induction in PCOS womenGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 20222840
  17. Efficacy of myo-inositol in the treatment of cutaneous disorders in young women with polycystic ovary syndromeGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 19551544
  18. Metabolic and hormonal effects of myo-inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci · PMID 19499845
  19. Myo-inositol administration positively affects hyperinsulinemia and hormonal parameters in overweight patients with polycystic ovary syndromeGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 18335328
  20. Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Indian Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Pharmaceuticals · PMID 40430499
  21. Inositol is an effective and safe treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Reprod Biol Endocrinol · PMID 36703143
  22. Effects of myo-inositol supplementation on oocyte's quality in PCOS patients: a double blind trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci · PMID 21744744
  23. Myo-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 · PMID 21608442
  24. Myo-inositol may prevent gestational diabetes in PCOS womenGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 22122627
  25. Inositol for subfertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 30570133
  26. Myo-inositol treatment increases serum plasmalogens and decreases small dense LDL, particularly in hyperlipidemic subjects with metabolic syndromeJ Nutr Sci Vitaminol · PMID 18635905
  27. One-year effects of myo-inositol supplementation in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndromeClimacteric · PMID 22192068
  28. A phase I study of myo-inositol for lung cancer chemopreventionCancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev · PMID 16896044
  29. Treatment of hirsutism with myo-inositol: a prospective clinical studyReprod Biomed Online · PMID 18854115
  30. Inositol for depressive disorders.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 15106232
  31. Double-blind, controlled trial of inositol treatment of depressionAm J Psychiatry · PMID 7726322
  32. Treatment-resistant bipolar depression: a STEP-BD equipoise randomized effectiveness trial of antidepressant augmentation with lamotrigine, inositol, or risperidoneAm J Psychiatry · PMID 16449473
  33. Inositol addition does not improve depression in SSRI treatment failuresJ Neural Transm · PMID 10907738
  34. Effect of inositol on bulimia nervosa and binge eatingInt J Eat Disord · PMID 11262515
  35. Inositol Nutritional Supplementation for the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Nutrients · PMID 35889788
  36. The effect of myoinositol supplementation on insulin resistance in patients with gestational diabetesDiabet Med · PMID 21414183
  37. Dietary supplementation with myo-inositol in women during pregnancy for treating gestational diabetes.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 27602537
  38. A phase 2 randomized trial of ELND005, scyllo-inositol, in mild to moderate Alzheimer diseaseNeurology · PMID 21917766
  39. Inositol treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, cross-over placebo controlled trialProg Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry · PMID 8843494
  40. Lack of effect of inositol treatment in chronic schizophreniaBiol Psychiatry · PMID 8329500
  41. CSF inositol in schizophrenia and high-dose inositol treatment of schizophreniaEur Neuropsychopharmacol · PMID 7894259
  42. Double-blind, controlled, crossover trial of inositol versus fluvoxamine for the treatment of panic disorderJ Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 11386498
  43. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of inositol treatment for panic disorderAm J Psychiatry · PMID 7793450
  44. Acute inositol does not attenuate m-CPP-induced anxiety, mydriasis and endocrine effects in panic disorderJ Psychiatr Res · PMID 9352475
  45. Myo-inositol in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorderHum Psychopharmacol · PMID 22031267
  46. Myo-inositol has no beneficial effect on premenstrual dysphoric disorderWorld J Biol Psychiatry · PMID 12478879
  47. Inositol as an add-on treatment for bipolar depressionBipolar Disord · PMID 11254020
  48. Inositol treatment of autismJ Neural Transm · PMID 9203092
  49. Inositol treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorderAm J Psychiatry · PMID 8780431
  50. Inositol treatment of post-traumatic stress disorderAnxiety · PMID 9160600
  51. Lack of effect of 6 g inositol treatment of post-ECT cognitive function in humansJ Psychiatr Res · PMID 8642546
  52. The effect of inositol supplements on the psoriasis of patients taking lithium: a randomized, placebo-controlled trialBr J Dermatol · PMID 15149510
  53. Pretreatment with myo-inositol in non polycystic ovary syndrome patients undergoing multiple follicular stimulation for IVF: a pilot studyReprod Biol Endocrinol · PMID 22823904
  54. The 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 · PMID 29793496
  55. The efficacy and safety of inositol supplementation in preterm infants to prevent retinopathy of prematurity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Ophthalmol · PMID 31238915

Protocols that include Inositol