Inositol

Inositol is a sugar alcohol that improves insulin sensitivity and is best-studied for PCOS (10+ trials showing benefits for ovulation, fertility, testosterone, glucose). Also effective for gestational diabetes prevention and panic disorder. Two forms used: myo-inositol (most common) and D-chiro-inositol (often combined at 40:1 ratio). Works via insulin signaling and as second messenger. Very safe; high doses (12-18g) well-tolerated. Standard dose 2-4g/day for PCOS.

Quick Answer

What it is

Inositol is a sugar alcohol that improves insulin sensitivity and is best-studied for PCOS (10+ trials showing benefits for ovulation, fertility, testosterone, glucose). Also effective for gestational diabetes prevention and panic disorder.

Key findings

  • Grade B: Blood glucose (Metabolic Syndrome)
  • Grade B: Anxiety Symptoms (Panic Disorder)
  • Grade C: Fertility (Infertility)

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Inositol

Quick Facts: Inositol

  • Best Evidence:Grade B
  • Conditions Studied:27
  • Research Outcomes:102
  • Grade B Findings:3
  • Key Effect:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B3
C11
D6
27 conditions Β· 102 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Plasmalogens
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
1 study
↓Improves
?
PCOS Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
C
Acne Symptoms
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
?
Testosterone
18 studies
↑Improves
?
PCOS Symptoms
10 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
8 studies
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
Pregnancy Complications
↑Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Fertility
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Oocyte Quality
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Ovulation
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Excessive Hair Growth
↑Improves
?
Gestational Diabetes Risk
↑Worsens
?
Oocyte Quantity
1 study
↑Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
1 study
↓Improves
B
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Panic Attacks
↓Improves
C
Fertility
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
?
PCOS Symptoms
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Oocyte Quality
1 study
↑Improves
?
Oocyte Quantity
1 study
↑Improves
C
Adiponectin
Small Increase
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Gestational Diabetes Risk
↑Worsens
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Plasmalogens
2 studies
↑Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
1 study
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
1 study
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Panic Attacks
↓Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Binge-eating
1 study
↑Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Excessive Hair Growth
↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
?
OCD Symptoms
↓Improves
C
Glycemic Control
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
PCOS Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
D
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
No effect
10 studies
none
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
5 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
D
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
No effect
none
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Schizophrenia symptoms
↓Improves
D
Depression Symptoms
No effect
none
?
Schizophrenia symptoms
↓Improves
D
Depression Symptoms
No effect
none
?
PMS Symptoms
↓Improves
D
Depression Symptoms
No effect
none
?
PMS Symptoms
↓Improves
D
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
No effect
none
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Retinal Function
↑Improves
?
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
↑Worsens
?
Autism Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Psoriasis Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Forgetting
↑Improves
?
Lung Cancer Risk
↑Worsens
?
Gestational Diabetes Risk
↑Worsens
?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
↓Improves

Evidence by Condition

Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)

BPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
2
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓Acne SymptomsImproves↑TestosteroneImproves
BGestational Diabetes
2
↑AdiponectinImproves↑Gestational Diabetes RiskWorsens↑Glycemic ControlImproves
BMetabolic Syndrome
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓Blood PressureImproves↓WeightImproves
BPanic Disorder
1
↓Anxiety SymptomsImproves↓Panic AttacksImproves
CPremenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
2
Depression Symptoms↓PMS SymptomsImproves
CInfertility
1
↑FertilityImproves↓PCOS SymptomsImproves↑Oocyte QualityImproves
CHigh Cholesterol
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓Blood PressureImproves↓Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves
CMenopause
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓Blood PressureImproves↑Glycemic ControlImproves
CObesity
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↑InsulinWorsens↑Glycemic ControlImproves
CAgoraphobia
1
↓Anxiety SymptomsImproves↓Panic AttacksImproves
CBinge Eating Disorder
1
↓Anxiety SymptomsImproves↑Binge-eatingImproves↓Depression SymptomsImproves
CHirsutism
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↑Excessive Hair GrowthImproves↑InsulinWorsens
CObsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD)
1
↓Anxiety SymptomsImproves↓Depression SymptomsImproves↓OCD SymptomsImproves
COverweight
1
↑Glycemic ControlImproves↑InsulinWorsens↓PCOS SymptomsImproves
DDepression
1
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms↓Depression SymptomsImproves↓Schizophrenia symptomsImproves
DSchizophrenia
1
Depression Symptoms↓Schizophrenia symptomsImproves
DPremenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
1
Depression Symptoms↓PMS SymptomsImproves
DBipolar Disorder
1
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms↓Depression SymptomsImproves
DDyslipidemia
1
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)↓TriglyceridesImproves↓Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves

Related Supplements

Fish Oil

19 shared conditions Β· 448 outcomes

Fish oil is a mix of mostly EPA and DHA derived from fatty fish. It reduces triglycerides, but does not seem to affect the rate of cardiovascular events. It appears to reduce the symptoms of depression and improve some painful, inflammatory conditions.

Saffron

13 shared conditions Β· 390 outcomes

Saffron is a spice with antioxidant properties derived from the flowering plant Crocus sativus. When used as a supplement, saffron seems to be effective at reducing symptoms of depression and possibly anxiety.

Vitamin D

12 shared conditions Β· 308 outcomes

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our skin synthesizes when exposed to the sun. It benefits us in many ways, from bone health to mood.

Curcumin

12 shared conditions Β· 502 outcomes

Curcumin is the primary bioactive substance in turmeric. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate symptoms of depression as well as improve pain and function in people with osteoarthritis.

Chromium

12 shared conditions Β· 300 outcomes

Chromium is a mineral that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust and is found in small amounts in a variety of foods. Chromium supplementation seems to enhance the effects of insulin in the body, leading to improvements in insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation in people with insulin resistance. Although chromium has historically been considered an essential nutrient for the human body, current evidence challenges this notion.

Probiotics

11 shared conditions Β· 215 outcomes

Probiotics are microorganisms that can have a positive effect on health.

Coenzyme Q10

11 shared conditions Β· 268 outcomes

Coenzyme Q10 is a molecule found in mitochondria that has a critical role in producing energy for the body. It also plays an important role in the endogenous antioxidant system.

Resveratrol

10 shared conditions Β· 318 outcomes

Resveratrol is a bioactive molecule found in plant sources such as grapes, peanuts, blueberries, and, famously, red wine. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that benefit cardiovascular function, glycemic control, and lipid metabolism. Although it’s promoted for lifespan extension, there’s no evidence for this in humans and limited evidence in animals.