Inositol Powder and Capsules by Designs For Health (DFH) 

Depression and Serotonin Disorders

Inositol also helps maintain healthy serotonin metabolism, and by so doing helps treat many conditions that involve poor serotonin function, including depression, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Heart Health

Inositol helps prevent hardening of the arteries, metabolizes, fat and cholesterol, removes fats from the liver, and is important in the formation of lecithin.[8]

Cell Nutrition

Inositol's primary function is in cell membrane structure and integrity. Along with choline, it may help in brain cell nutrition. It is especially important for the cells of the bone marrow, eye tissue, and intestines.[10]

A Natural Prozac

Autism Research Review International 1997, V.11 No. 2, p1

A recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry indicates that the B vitamin inositol can be as effective in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as powerful drugs such as Prozac and Luvox.

In a double-blind, cross-over study, Israeli researcher Mendel Fux and colleagues administered high doses of inositol (18 g/day) to 13 individuals whose chronic OCD symptoms had not been alleviated by drugs, or who could not tolerate the side effects of the medications. For the first few weeks, the researchers report, inositol made no difference in symptoms. After six weeks, however, treatment with the nutrient resulted in marked improvements. The study authors conclude, “Inositol is effective in depression, panic, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.”

The Harvard Mental Health Letter notes that according to the study, inositol “appeared to work as well and as quickly as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIS) fluvoxamine (Luvox) and fluoxetine (Prozac), which are accepted treatments for OCD.”

No side effects were seen in subjects taking inositol. A long-term study of inositol treatment, by a different research group, found no side effects in individuals taking 1,000 to 3,000 mg daily for up to a year. However, Fred Penzel—who reports that about 60 percent of patients with OCD seem to improve when taking inositol-notes that the nutrient occasionally causes diarrhea and intestinal gas when taken at high doses. These symptoms, avoid them, he recommends reducing the dosage, taking inositol with meals, and/or dividing the daily intake into three doses.

While the Israeli researchers administered 18 grams per day of inositol to their subjects, Penzel reports that “some people improve on as little as 2 grams.” Like the Israeli team, Penzel cautions against expecting instant results. “It may take several weeks to see any effect,” he says, "although some have responded within two weeks."

Inositol, a nutrient, helps the liver manage fat and functions as a cell growth factor by stimulating the body to manufacture a type of fat used to construct myelinated nerve material. According to nutrition researcher Jeffrey Bland, “Inappropriately low amounts of inositol can reduce nerve growth and regeneration.” Sheldon Hendler notes that “although clear-cut deficiency states of myo-inositol (the nutritionally active form of inositol) have not been identified in humans, they have been described in other animals." Inositol is currently used to treat sensory nerve problems in diabetics, and new research suggests that supplemental inositol taken by pregnant diabetic women can dramatically reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in their children.

Editor's note: The new findings about inositol are of great importance to parents who need help in treating their children's crippling OCD symptoms, but are afraid of the potential side effects of powerful drugs. One such parent, Kathi Basehore, wrote us recently to say that she had taken her daughter off Prozac when side effects developed. When she read of the inositol study, she started her daughter on the nutrient. At the initial low dosage, she saw no effects; but when she increased the dosage, her daughter's teacher-who had threatened to pull the girl out of several due to her behavior problems--suddenly reported that she was “great”, “excellent”, “wonderful!” Basehore says her daughter “notes when it wears off (after 8 or 9 hours) that she doesn't feel too happy.”[18]

“Inositol treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder,” Mendel Fux, Joseph Levine, Alex Aviv, and R.H. Belmaker; American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol.153, No.9, September 1996, pp.1219-1221.

“Inositol for OCD”, Harvard Mental Health Letter, December 1996. And Letter, Fred Penzel; OCD Newsletter, April 1996, page 5. Address: Fred Penzel, Western Suffolk Psychological Services, Huntington, NY.[18]

Research Review

Inositol
FOR RELAXATION, BRAIN WELLNESS AND FEMALE HORMONAL HEALTH

Benefits of Inositol

Inositol is one of the most versatile nutrients for promoting brain wellness, a positive and relaxed outlook, and restful sleep. It also is one of the most crucial nutrients for promoting female hormonal health through its role in supporting optimal liver function. Inositol also helps maintain healthy serotonin metabolism, and by so doing helps treat many conditions that involve poor serotonin function, including depression, agoraphobia, panic disorder,(1) and obsessive compulsive disorder.(2) Inositol also helps prevent and treat pediatric respiratory distress syndrome.(3) Recent studies have also looked into its pain relieving ability. Low levels of inositol occur in patients with diabetes, renal failure, and multiple sclerosis, suggesting inositol may be of benefit here as well.

Signs of inadequate inositol intake include:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• PMS, fibroid tumors, and other problems caused by female hormonal imbalance
• Depression
• Anxiety

NATURE’S SLEEPING PILL
Taking inositol naturally helps the body achieve a more relaxed state. Inositol is prized by many for its ability to promote a more restful sleep. Taken during the day, inositol can help relieve anxiety and promote a more even-tempered mood. Inositol should be taken directly before bedtime to improve sleep quality.

PROMOTING FEMALE HORMONAL HEALTH
Inositol works in partnership with phosphatidyl choline (PC) to help the liver metabolize hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. By so doing, inositol helps alleviate PMS, fibrocystic breast disease, fibroid tumors, and a range of other health problems caused by female hormonal imbalance. Inositol and PC are must supplements for anyone taking female hormone replacement therapy.

ALLEVIATING DEPRESSION
Depressed patients have lower levels of inositol in their brain. Research shows that taking 6-12 grams of inositol per day for four weeks significantly improves mood and reduces the severity of depression.(4) Inositol can be safely used along with antidepressant medications.(5)

TREATING OTHER AILMENTS
6 grams per day of inositol has helped increase cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients. The same dose has been found helpful in relieving diabetic neuropathy symptoms.(6) Inositol may also be useful in the treatment of multiple sclerosis by promoting increased nerve conduction. Inositol may turn out to be an essential nutrient for a healthy pregnancy in humans, as animal studies have demonstrated it can prevent folic acid-resistant neural tube defects.(7) Inositol may be of particular importance in diabetic pregnancies.[8] Inositol supplementation during pregnancy should only be done with the guidance of a health care practitioner and should not exceed 1,000 mg per day.

TAKING INOSITOL
For general health, a more restful sleep, and an overall positive outlook, start with ½ teaspoon of inositol powder per day. For promoting female hormonal balance, one teaspoon or more per day is helpful. For relieving depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, OCD and panic attacks, 1-4 teaspoons should be used.(9) Inositol powder has a naturally sweet, pleasant taste and mixes easily in water.