What Is Inositol?

Inositol, also called myo-inositol, D-chiro-inositol, or hexaphosphate (IP6), plays a critical role in the body’s cellular growth. Though it used to be referred to as Vitamin B8, inositol is not actually a vitamin. It’s a type of sugar that helps your body process insulin.

Inositol used to be thought of as an essential nutrient, which is any nutrient that must be obtained from your diet. However, observations have shown that the liver and kidneys make inositol from glucose, so it's not an essential nutrient.

In addition to being produced by your body, inositol is also found in a wide range of healthy foods. Though inositol is a sugar that your body produces from glucose, diets high in sugar can inhibit inositol availability.

Inositol Benefits

Inositol is essential for several different cellular processes. It acts as a messenger for your cells and helps with functions such as regulating insulin and binding neurotransmitters.

Additionally, inositol may provide health benefits:

Improved metabolic syndrome

Reduced chance of gestational diabetes

Inositol and PCOS

When you have Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), you have increased insulin resistance, which has side effects such as increased body mass index (BMI) and abnormal menstrual cycles. Inositol was as effective as metformin, a medicine that is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, in increasing insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS. About half of the women showed a decrease in BMI, and their menstrual cycles returned to normal.

Lower blood sugar levels

Inositol for Anxiety

People with panic disorder reported fewer panic attacks while taking inositol than they did with fluvoxamine, an antidepressant often used to treat anxiety disorders. Negative side effects such as nausea and tiredness occurred less often with inositol than with fluvoxamine. Because it’s a natural supplement, people who are hesitant to take psychiatric drugs such as antidepressants may be more willing to take inositol.

Improve Psoriasis in People Taking Lithium

Inositol Benefits for Hair

Inositol has been touted as a substance that might boost hair growth, reduce frizziness, and produce healthier hair. 

Help with Sleep

Scientists are looking at whether this supplement can improve your sleep. One small study of pregnant women found that inositol supplements led to better sleep.