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Inositol;  Vitamin B8; Phytic Acid; Inositol Hexaphosphate; IP6; Myoinositol

Proposed Uses
  • Depression; Panic Disorder
Other Proposed Uses
  • Alzheimer's Disease; Attention Deficit Disorder; Bipolar Disorder; Bulimia; Cancer Prevention; Diabetic Neuropathy; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; PMS; Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS); Psoriasis caused by treatment with Lithium

Inositol, unofficially referred to as "vitamin B8," is present in all animal tissues, with the highest levels in the heart and brain. It is part of the membranes of all cells, and plays a role in helping the liver process fats as well as contributing to the function of muscles and nerves.

People who are depressed may have lower than normal levels of inositol in their spinal fluid. In addition, inositol participates in the action of serotonin, a neurotransmitter known to be a factor in depression. For these two reasons, inositol has been proposed as a treatment for depression, and preliminary evidence suggests that it may be helpful.

Inositol has also been tried for other psychological and nerve-related conditions.

Sources
Inositol is not known to be an essential nutrient. However, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, cantaloupe, and citrus fruits supply a substance called phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphate, or IP6), which releases inositol when acted on by bacteria in the digestive tract. The typical American diet provides an estimated 1,000 mg daily.

Therapeutic Dosages
Experimentally, inositol dosages of up to 18 g daily have been tried for various conditions.

Therapeutic Uses
Some but not all studies suggest that high-dose inositol may be useful for depression

Inositol has also been studied for bipolar disorder,panic disorder,bulimia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but the evidence remains far from conclusive. Other potential uses include Alzheimer's disease and attention deficit disorder.

According to one substantial double-blind study, inositol may help improve various symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, including infertility and weight gain.

Another very small double-blind study found that inositol supplements could help reduce symptoms of psoriasis triggered or made worse by use of the drug lithium.

A small double-blind study failed to find inositol helpful for premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a severe form of PMS.

Inositol is sometimes proposed as a treatment for diabetic neuropathy, but there have been no double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on this subject, and two uncontrolled studies had mixed results.

Inositol has also been investigated for potential cancer-preventive properties.

Safety Issues
No serious ill effects have been reported for inositol, even with a therapeutic dosage that equals about 18 times the average dietary intake. However, no long-term safety studies have been performed.

Although inositol has sometimes been recommended for bipolar disorder, there is evidence to suggest inositol may trigger manic episodes in people with this condition. If you have bipolar disorder you should not take inositol unless under a doctor's supervision.

Safety has not been established in young children, women who are pregnant or nursing, and those with severe liver and kidney disease. As with all supplements used in very large doses, it is important to purchase a reputable product, because a contaminant present even in small percentages could add up to a real problem.

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