Inositol is a carbohydrate with six hydroxyl groups. It is often called vitamin B8, although it is not a vitamin because it is synthesized from glucose.

The average inositol intake is 250 mg – 1650 mg per day, depending on the caloric content of the diet consumed. Myo-inositol synthesis takes place mainly in the kidneys; the liver and brain synthesize much smaller amounts compared to the kidneys. What is very important is that the concentration is 10-15 times higher in the brain than in the blood.

Inositol comes in two forms: myo- and chiro-inositol, and each fraction has its own properties.

Bibliography:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8896029/

According to current knowledge, myo-inositol is an important element of insulin signaling. Increased glucose levels reduce the absorption of myo-inositol and increase its degradation and accelerate its urinary excretion. A reduced amount of tissue myo-inositol has been noticed in people suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Bibliography:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8896029/

PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is estimated to affect 5 to 21% of women of reproductive age. The disease is often accompanied by insulin resistance, regardless of body mass index (BMI).

Hyperinsulinemia leads to increased androgen synthesis in the ovaries through increased secretion of the LH hormone.

In a randomized controlled trial involving 50 women with PCOS, supplementation with 2000 mg of myo-inositol along with 200 mcg of folic acid led to a significant reduction in LH hormone, prolactin, testosterone, the plasma LH:FSH ratio and insulin sensitivity. Weight loss and improvement in indicators related to insulin resistance were also noted.

Bibliography:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8896029/

Myo-inositol stands out from the entire group of B vitamins because of its taste – it has a pleasant, sweet taste, unlike the bitter taste of other B vitamins, e.g. the bitterness of riboflavin.

Due to its taste and recommended intake in grams, myo-inositol is most often found in powdered products. Inositol can be dissolved in water or drinks, but also consumed in dry form, as a powder.