Myo-Inositol for Athletic Performance Enhancement
Myo-inositol should not be used as a performance-enhancing supplement for athletes, as there is no scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for athletic performance, and athletes should meet their nutritional needs through a healthy, balanced diet without dietary supplements.
Evidence-Based Recommendation Framework
The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology provide clear guidance that applies directly to this question:
Athletes should have their nutritional needs met through a healthy, balanced diet without dietary supplements (Class I recommendation). 1
The principle of "unreasonable risk" must be applied: any substance with potential for risk in the absence of defined benefit should be avoided by athletes. 1, 2
Athletes should not ingest any substances attempting to improve performance or expedite recovery unless prescribed by a healthcare professional who abides by governing organization recommendations. 1, 2
Why Myo-Inositol Fails the Evidence Standard
Absence of performance evidence: Myo-inositol does not appear in any systematic reviews of evidence-based performance supplements for athletes. 3, 4, 5
The established supplements with proven efficacy are limited to: caffeine, creatine, nitrate/beetroot juice, beta-alanine, and bicarbonate. 3, 4, 5 Myo-inositol is notably absent from this evidence-based list.
Lack of rigorous scientific assessment: The efficacy and safety of most performance-enhancing agents have not been assessed in rigorous scientific fashion, and randomized clinical trials evaluating such substances are extremely rare. 1
Critical Safety Considerations
Contamination risk: Third-party testing programs (Informed Sport, Kölner Liste, AFNOR NF V 94-001, HASTA) focus on detecting WADA-prohibited substances but do not test for the presence or accuracy of active ingredients. 1
These programs cannot eliminate contamination risk entirely and do not guarantee a product is safe or effective. 1
If three or more players from the same team commit an anti-doping rule violation in the same competition period, the entire team may be disqualified. 1
Healthcare provider responsibility: Providers must directly question athletes about supplement use by name and counsel them about known and uncertain medical consequences. 1, 2
Practical Clinical Approach
For athletes considering myo-inositol:
Redirect focus to evidence-based nutrition strategies through whole foods. 1, 2
If performance enhancement is the goal, consider only the five supplements with established evidence (caffeine, creatine, nitrate, beta-alanine, bicarbonate) and only after thorough individual trialing in training. 3, 4, 5
Emphasize that any supplement claiming performance benefits should be thoroughly trialed in training or simulated competition before competition use. 4
Common pitfall to avoid: Athletes often assume that "natural" supplements or those marketed for general health are safe and effective for performance—this is not supported by evidence and exposes them to unnecessary risk without proven benefit. 1, 2