Levine J. Controlled trials of inositol in psychiatry. Eur Neurops Depression Symptoms - Levine J, Barak Y, Gonzalves M, Szor H, Elizur A, Kofman O, Belmaker RH Double-blind, controlled trial of inositol treatment of depression Am J Psychiatry. (1995 May) Rocha AL, Oliviera FR et al. Recent advances in the understanding and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. F1000 Research. 2019 Apr 26; 8: F1000 Faculty-Rev-565

Cabrera-Cruz H, Orostica L, et al. The insulin-sensitizing mechanism of myo-inositol is associated with AMPK activation and GLUT-4 expression in human endometrial cells exposed to a PCOS environment. American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism. 3 Feb 2020. Fruzzetti F, Perini D, et al. Comparison of two insulin sensitizers, metformin and myo-inositol, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Gynecol Endocrinol. 2017 Jan; 33 (1): 39-42 Another study in 20 overweight women with PCOS found that 12 weeks of supplementation with myo-inositol improved insulin sensitivity and reproductive hormone balance and completely restored the menstrual cycle in all amenorrheic and oligomenorrheic subjects. 14

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R.S., et al., Diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2013. 98(12): p. 4565-92. Monastra G, Vucenik I, Harrath AH, et al. PCOS and inositols: controversial results and necessary clarifications. basic differences between d-chiro and myo-inositol. Front Endocrinol. 2021;12:269. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.660381

Combination products like Ovasitol are safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are no expected side effects. Levine J, Barak Y, Gonzalves M, et al. Double-blind, controlled trial of inositol treatment of depression. Am J Psychiatry 1995;152:792-4. View abstract. Nierenberg AA, Ostacher MJ et al. Treatment-resistant bipolar depression: a STEP-BD equipoise randomized effectiveness trial of antidepressant augmentation with lamotrigine, inositol, or risperidone. Am J Psychiatry. 2006; 163: 210–216. E., et al., Myo-inositol may improve oocyte quality in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. A prospective, controlled, randomized trial. Fertil Steril, 2009. 91(5): p. 1750-4.Papaleo E, Unfer V et al. Myo-inositol in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a novel method for ovulation induction. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2007 Dec; 23(12):700-3. Does inositol cause weight loss with PCOS? Myo-inositol may cause weight loss, but the strength of the effect is small. The most promising trials to date show only 1-2 pounds of weight loss on average over 6 months of supplementation [ 17, 32]. When selecting products, the first decision is what type of inositol you want to take. You have three choices: V.R., et al., Long-term Metformin Use and Vitamin B12 Deficiency in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2016. 101(4): p. 1754-61.

The superiority of a 40:1 inositol combined supplement has been demonstrated in mouse models of PCOS [ 51]. It’s also been proven in PCOS patients seeking to restore ovulation [ 52]. Increasing the relative amounts of D-chiro inositol above 40:1 appears to reduce effectiveness and may have a negative effect. Teede HJ, Misso ML, Costello MF, et al. Recommendations from the international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Hum Reprod. 2018;33(9):1602–18. Arentz S, Smith CA, Abbott J, Bensoussan A. Nutritional supplements and herbal medicines for women with polycystic ovary syndrome; a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):500. View abstract. If you’re not buying Ovasitol, then it’s best to buy only pure myo-inositol. Jarrow Formulas is a well-priced and reliable brand. Pure Encapsulations also make a top-quality myo-inositol product.

Because supplementation with inositol can increase insulin sensitivity and help improve fasting glucose and postprandial glycemic control, [7] [8] inositol might help prevent and/or treat diabetes. One type of diabetes for which the role of inositol has been widely studied is gestational diabetes, a condition characterized by abnormal glucose tolerance and high blood sugar during pregnancy. Meta-analyses show that supplementation with inositol during pregnancy might reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes and related birth complications. [9] [10] [11] However, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether inositol is efficacious in the treatment of gestational diabetes. [12] Genazzani AD, Lanzoni C et al. Myo-inositol administration positively affects hyperinsulinemia and hormonal parameters in overweight patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2008 Mar;24(3):139-44.
15. Minozzi M, Costantino D et al. The effect of a combination therapy with myo-inositol and a combined oral contraceptive pill versus a combined oral contraceptive pill alone on metabolic, endocrine, and clinical parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2011 Nov;27(11):920-4. Concerto C, Chiarenza C, Di Francesco A, Natale A, Privitera I, Rodolico A, Trovato A, Aguglia A, Fisicaro F, Pennisi M, Bella R, Petralia A, Signorelli MS, Lanza G Neurobiology and Applications of Inositol in Psychiatry: A Narrative Review. Curr Issues Mol Biol. (2023-Feb-20)

Women with PCOS are at a higher risk of several diseases and can experience infertility issues ( 15).Unwanted hair and skin issues cause a lot of distress for women with PCOS [ 28]. But inositol can sometimes help. This is because inositol lowers androgen levels [ 4, 13]. In a prospective clinical study carried out in Rome in 2008, researchers investigated the effects of myo-inositol on two of the most common features of PCOS, hirsutism and hyperandrogenism. In the study, 46 women were evaluated at baseline and then again, following treatment with myo-inositol for 6 months. Results showed that treatment with myo-inositol significantly reduced hirsutism, hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. 16 Colazingari S, Treglia M, Najjar R, Bevilacqua A. The combined therapy myo-inositol plus D-chiro-inositol, rather than D-chiro-inositol, is able to improve IVF outcomes: results from a randomized controlled trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2013;288(6):1405-11. View abstract. There are also not enough studies to determine the safety of the supplements while breastfeeding. However, breast milk seems to be naturally rich in inositol ( 39).