They help balance chemicals that control your blood sugar and fertility.
They also affect your metabolism, which is the process of turning the food you eat into energy.
Many people withpolycystic ovary syndromeareinsulin-resistant.
Illustration by Tara Anand for Verywell Health
Inositols make molecules involved in the body’s response to insulin.
Researchers say inositols may be part of the body’s messaging system when the insulin signaling system fails.
Does Inositol for PCOS Make You Gain Weight?
It depends on the individual.
Imbalances in your levels of inositols are associated with weight changes, including weight loss and weight gain.
Inositol supplements are generally well-tolerated.
Typically, MI is converted to DCI.
In someone with PCOS, DCI is much higher, and MI is much lower.
This results in an abnormal MI to DCI ratio that can be as low as 0.2:1.
Combined therapy with MI and DCI is more effective than taking either inositol alone.
Specifically, research shows a 40 to 1 MI/DCI ratio is best for restartingovulationin people with PCOS.
Two grams twice a day is currently considered the optimal inositol dosage for PCOS.
The best time to take inositol is just before eating.
MI to DCI and Fertility
PCOS is a common cause of infertility.
Up to 80% of people with PCOS experience fertility challenges.
People with PCOS have an imbalance of MI to DCI in their ovaries.
This can affect:
Inositols can help restore ovulation and improveoocyte(immature egg) quality.
One study concluded that people with PCOS have a two-fold higher risk of developing GD than those without PCOS.
Side Effects and Cautions
Use inositol supplements under the guidance of your healthcare provider.
Finding the correct dose is critical to ensure its safety and effectiveness.
Taking too much DCI, for example, can lower your estrogen levels and increase male hormone levels.
Estrogen has several benefits, like protecting bones and preventing breast cancer.
Increasing testosterone levels in females already at risk of infertility can also cause problems.
Additionally, inositol for PCOS has been linked to hair loss as well as excessive hair growth.
Some artificial sugars and sugar alcohols weaken the benefits of these supplements.
Dosing Variations
Some food supplement companies continue to sell supplements with varying MI/DCI ratios.
There’s no evidence to show these extra ingredients help.
Summary
Inositols are sugars the body makes that help regulate insulin and cholesterol levels.
Two types of inositols, MI and DCI, help treat PCOS.
you could get inositols by eating certain foods or taking food supplements.
The use of inositol should be managed by a healthcare provider.
2021 Jun 24;22(13):6796. doi:10.3390/ijms22136796.
2019 Mar;23(5):2293-2301. doi:10.26355/eurrev_201903_17278.
2021;23(2).
basic differences between d-chiro and myo-inositol.Front Endocrinol.
2023;2023(2).
2019 Mar 23;12(1):25. doi:10.1186/s13048-019-0500-x.
US Department of Health and Human Services.Polycystic ovary syndrome.
