From the Guidelines
Inositol supplements are recommended for PCOS and anxiety disorders, with a combination of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol in a 40:1 ratio typically recommended for PCOS, and higher doses of myo-inositol for anxiety disorders. The most recent and highest quality study 1 suggests that women with PCOS often exhibit cardio-metabolic aberrations, including insulin resistance, and are at risk for developing metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and sleep disturbance. Inositol works by affecting neurotransmitter systems and improving insulin sensitivity, which helps regulate hormones in PCOS and modulates serotonin activity in anxiety.
Uses of Inositol
- PCOS: a combination of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol in a 40:1 ratio is typically recommended, with total daily dosages ranging from 2-4 grams of myo-inositol plus 50-100 mg of D-chiro-inositol, divided into two daily doses 1.
- Anxiety disorders: higher doses of myo-inositol ranging from 12-18 grams daily, divided into 2-3 doses, are often used.
Dosages of Inositol
- For PCOS: 2-4 grams of myo-inositol plus 50-100 mg of D-chiro-inositol, divided into two daily doses.
- For anxiety disorders: 12-18 grams of myo-inositol daily, divided into 2-3 doses.
Administration of Inositol
- Begin with lower doses and gradually increase to minimize potential side effects like nausea, gas, or diarrhea.
- Take inositol with meals to improve tolerance and absorption.
- Consult with a healthcare provider before starting, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications for mental health or diabetes, as inositol may interact with these treatments 1.
From the Research
Uses of Inositol Supplements
- Inositol supplements are used to treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and have been shown to improve symptoms and infertility in patients with PCOS 2, 3, 4
- Inositol has also been used to improve anxiety symptoms, although the provided evidence does not directly support this claim, it is mentioned that inositol is used for various medical conditions
Dosages of Inositol Supplements
- A common dosage of inositol supplements for PCOS is 2 × 2000 mg myo-inositol + 2 × 200 μg folic acid per day 2
- A dosage of 4000 mg myo-inositol + 400 μg folic acid per day has also been used in some studies 2, 5
- The optimal combination of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol for PCOS treatment is a 40 : 1 ratio 5
Safety and Side Effects
- Inositol supplements have been shown to be safe and well-tolerated, with only mild gastrointestinal side effects reported at high doses (12 g/day) 6
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that inositol is an effective and safe treatment for PCOS, with non-inferiority compared to metformin in most outcomes 4