Inositol

Inositol is present as phytic acid in corn (Zea mays) and rice (Oryza sativa) bran. Corn or rice bran needs to go through a series of processes including hydrolysis, filtration, concentration, and crystallization to produce fine crystalline inositol that is digestible and available to humans.

Major Health Benefits

Inositol is a component of phosphatidylinositol, a phospholipid that is an enzyme modulator and key component of cell membranes and lipoproteins. Inositol is an important factor for normal cell growth and development and thus may play a role in normal fetal and neonatal development1. Inositol may also regulate calcium release and insulin action within the cell, improving insulin sensitivity and glucose utilization.2,3 Inositol may also reduce the risk of diabetes during pregnancy.4

References

  1. Howlett A, Ohlsson A, Plakkal N. Inositol in preterm infants at risk for or having respiratory distress syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Feb 4;2:CD000366.PMID: 25927089.
  2. Kukuljan, M., Vergara, L., & Stojilkovic, S. S. (1997). Modulation of the Kinetics of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate-Induced [Ca2+]iOscillations by Calcium Entry in Pituitary Gonadotrophs. Biophysical Journal, 72(2 Pt 1), 698–707.
  3. Larner J. D-chiro-inositol–its functional role in insulin action and its deficit in insulin resistance. Int J Exp Diabetes Res. 2002;3(1):47-60.PMID: 11900279; PMCID: PMC2478565.
  4. Matarrelli B, Vitacolonna E, D’Angelo M, et al. Effect of dietary myo-inositol supplementation in pregnancy on the incidence of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and fetal outcomes: a randomized controlled trial. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2013 Jul;26(10):967-72.PMID: 23327487.