(NaturalHealth365)  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), an endocrine disorder causing irregular periods, is one of the most common causes of infertility in American women.  Affecting an estimated 5 to 20 percent of women of childbearing age, PCOS is often associated with metabolic syndrome – a cluster of unhealthy conditions that includes abnormal cholesterol levels, excess abdominal fat, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.  Many holistic doctors maintain that managing factors such as obesity and insulin resistance can help combat both PCOS and metabolic syndrome.

Now, research shows that they may have help from a common nutrient.  A new review published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology shows that inositol, a naturally occurring sugar found in melons and beans, may reduce insulin resistance in women with PCOS.  Let’s see what else this intriguing compound can do to promote metabolic health.

New review compares inositol with leading pharmaceutical treatment

In the 2023 analysis and review, researchers pointed out that 70 percent of women with PCOS are overweight or obese – and they declared that the insulin resistance that occurs with unhealthy weight can lead to irregular periods.  As it turns out, the research had a dual purpose.

The team not only sought to evaluate the effect of inositol on insulin resistance related to polycystic ovary syndrome but also to see how its effects compared to those of metformin, a prescription medication considered the “gold standard” of treatment for insulin resistance.  The results were compelling.

The verdict: Inositol was comparable to metformin

According to the researchers, inositol worked as well as metformin in regulating the periods of women with PCOS while featuring fewer side effects.  Regarding reducing body mass index, the team found that this natural nutrient worked better than a placebo and concluded it was “effective and safe” for PCOS.

Furthermore, a separate and very encouraging study published in Gynecological Endocrinology showed that three months of supplementation with a combination of inositol and the B vitamin folic acid induced ovulation in 62 percent of women suffering from PCOS-linked infertility.  In this study, inositol supplementation also lowered insulin resistance and decreased body weight in women with PCOS.

This natural sugar has the potential to discourage metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes

Studies suggest that inositol supplementation may improve outcomes for people with metabolic syndrome, regardless of whether or not they have PCOS.  A 2022 study published in the medical journal Open Heart emphasizes the potential of inositol to improve fasting blood sugar, reduce insulin resistance, and ward off type 2 diabetes.

In a clinical study involving 80 women with metabolic syndrome, two grams of inositol a day for a year slashed blood triglycerides by over a third (34 percent) and total cholesterol by almost a quarter (22 percent).  Twenty percent of the women in the study improved their parameters so much that they could no longer be characterized as having metabolic syndrome.  When it comes to unhealthy lipid profiles in people with metabolic syndrome, it seems that inositol supplementation can unleash some “deep cuts” indeed!

Inositol may offer hope for panic attacks

Inositol has been shown to affect the activity of the mood-regulating neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.  In addition, studies have revealed that people with depression, anxiety, and obsessive disorders have lower levels of inositol in the brain.  Given these facts, it’s unsurprising that this natural nutrient has been studied for its potential against psychiatric disorders.

While some research on inositol supplementation has shown mixed results, this natural sugar has shown distinct potential in at least one area: treating panic attacks.

In an older (but still influential) double-blind crossover study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 20 participants with a history of panic attacks took either 18 grams of inositol or 150 mg of fluvoxamine (a popular SSRI antidepressant medication) every day for a month.  The inositol group experienced fewer panic attacks each week – and fewer side effects – than the fluvoxamine group.

In a separate study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, participants given 12 grams of inositol daily for a month experienced reductions in the frequency and severity of panic attacks.  (These promising findings call for a closer look – and more study.)

You can increase your dietary intake of inositol by eating healthy amounts of  cantaloupes, citrus fruits, beans, peas, brown rice, and nuts.  For maximum benefit, opt for organic produce whenever possible.

Inositol is also available as a supplement as myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol.  While researchers have praised inositol’s excellent safety profile, consult your holistic healthcare provider before adding it to your health routine.

Bottom line: if you are struggling with metabolic syndrome, PCOS, or infertility, it might be time to speak with your doctor about accessing the benefits of inositol.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
LifeExtension.com
NIH.gov
NIH.gov
Healthline.com
NIH.gov
NIH.gov
NIH.gov
AJOG.org