Contents:
- Medical Video: Inositol
- Benefits of inositol (vitamin B8) for health
- 1. Increase fertility while treating PCOS
- 2. Overcoming various mental disorders
- 3. Potential as a cancer treatment
- 4. Improve insulin sensitivity
- 5. Reducing the symptoms of respiratory distress syndrome in infants
- Where can I get inositol?
Medical Video: Inositol
Did you know that there are various kinds of vitamin B? There is vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), or vitamin B3 (niacin). Apart from these three popular B vitamins, there is also vitamin B8 called inositol. Curious about what is inositol and the benefits of inositol for the body? Consider the following review.
Benefits of inositol (vitamin B8) for health
Vitamin B8 is contained naturally in many plants and animals, as well as food supplements. Here are some of the benefits of inositol on health.
1. Increase fertility while treating PCOS
Many studies have shown that inositol has the potential to relieve the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a hormone disorder that causes women to have irregular periods and have difficulty getting pregnant. About 72% of women with this condition experience fertility problems.
PCOS is also closely related to metabolic syndrome disorders, thus increasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, liver disease, and heart disease. That's why women with PCOS must get treatment for their condition.
A number of studies have reported that inosito supplements, especially those containing Myo-inositol (MYO) and D-chiro-inotiol (DCI), can improve ovulation quickly to increase the chances of female fertility.
2. Overcoming various mental disorders
Mental disorders are generally triggered by disorders of the central nervous system and the production of chemical compounds in the brain, such as depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
After entering the body, inositol works to affect the brain's central nervous system and improve mood so that it is believed to be able to treat various symptoms of mental illness as well as eating disorders, such as binge eating and bulimia.
Intake of inositol supplements of 6,000 mg per day can improve the quality of life of people who have depression and who have panic attacks. The same dose also prevents the phase of mania from recurring in people who have bipolar disorder.
3. Potential as a cancer treatment
Inositol has other forms namely phytic, phytic acid, and hexaphosphate. Although it has not been proven effective, all three are able to increase the efficacy of anticancer drugs, inhibit the spread of cancer, and indirectly can improve the quality of life of cancer patients during treatment.
Some preventable developmental cancers with inositol are lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. Unfortunately, the use of phytic acid can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients in the body so that its use must be under the supervision of a doctor.
4. Improve insulin sensitivity
Inisitol, which can be a drug for metabolic syndrome in women with PCOS, also has the potential to improve insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients. But, the research carried out is still very limited.
5. Reducing the symptoms of respiratory distress syndrome in infants
Premature babies often experience respiratory distress syndrome because blood flow to babies at birth is very limited. Studies show that babies with this condition who are given 80 mg of inositol per kilogram of weight each day need less breathing assistance through an oxygen hose.
Their quality of life increased by 77% and at the same time prevented complications, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (faulty development of the respiratory tract), blindness, and premature retinopathy. However, inositol with this purpose can only be given by injection, not through food or supplements.
Where can I get inositol?
The benefits of inositol are very large, especially in preventing and treating various diseases, of course you definitely don't want to miss it. Don't worry, inositol is available in a variety of foods, especially in fresh fruits and vegetables. Some foods that contain high myo-inositol are:
- All types of oranges
- Wheat
- Cabbage
- Summer squash
- Raisins
- nuts
- Tomato
- Paprika
- Potato
- Peach
- Asparagus
- Pear
- Piang
- Beef
- Egg
- Coconut oil and coconut sugar
In addition to the above foods, inositol is also found in supplements. However, you should consult with your doctor first. Do you need additional inositol supplements or not.
