Q:
How does inositol work for PCOS?
A:
The extensive study of inositol and its beneficial effects on PCOS has lasted for the last two decades. The term “inositol” includes nine closely-related naturally-occurring chemicals, but only about two of which are talked when we mention inositol and PCOS, they are myo-inositol and D-chiro inositol.
Basically, PCOS is fundamentally a phenomenon called “insulin resistance (IR)”, where your body does not respond to the action of insulin, the main anabolic hormone of the body.
Inositol helps improve body’s response to insulin essentially through its two key functions:
- being responsible for the proper binding of insulin with its receptors;
- being vital for the signaling that occurs once insulin binds to its receptor.
Problems in the metabolism of inositol in the body are the cause of insulin resistance in PCOS, and this is exactly the reason why inositol supplementation can help improve the metabolism of women with PCOS.
Clinical studies have shown that inositol provides the following benefits:
- Restores normal ovulation (regular release of eggs)
- Improves pregnancy rate
- Reduces rates of miscarriages
- Lowers levels of male hormones
- Lowers “bad” lipids in the blood
- Lowers blood pressure
- Increases levels of progesterone
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- Induces weight loss
- Improves hirsutism (excess hair growth)
- Reduces acne
- Promotes hair growth
- Prevents gestational diabetes
- Protects fetus from birth defects
- Improves quality of oocytes (eggs)
What’s more, inositol has an effect in reducing anxiety, panic attacks, and depressive symptoms, which can all be major problems in women with PCOS. Thus, taking inositol supplementation can also help them with their mental health.
Keyword: inositol pcos
