Some of you might’ve caught Jennie’s TikTok breaking down Vogue’s article on inositol, where it’s being hailed as the new “game-changer” for women’s health. So, for this week’s blog, we’re diving into what inositol actually is and how it can benefit us.
You’ve probably heard of inositol. It was once called vitamin B8, but here’s the twist — it’s actually not a vitamin at all! Think of it more as a "vitamin-like" substance. To get a bit technical, inositol is a type of poly-alcohol sugar molecule that’s naturally found in our bodies and in a variety of foods we eat.
While our bodies do make some on their own, you can always give yourself a little boost by adding the right foods to your diet.
Here are some tasty and easy sources to include:
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Fruits – Especially citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. These are naturally packed with inositol & a great healthy snack!
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Beans and Legumes – Think chickpeas, lentils, and kidney beans. They’re all great for adding some inositol to your diet while also keeping you full and satisfied. Plus, they’re loaded with fibre!
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Whole Grains – Oats, brown rice, and whole wheat bread are all excellent sources. So, if you love starting your day with a hearty breakfast, you’re already on the right track.
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Nuts and Seeds – Especially almonds and walnuts. Perfect for a healthy snack throughout the day (and healthy fats, too!).
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Vegetables – Inositol is hiding in veggies like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and even sweet potatoes. So, keep that plate colourful and you’ll be all set!
Inositol: The Star Player
While Inositol comes in 9 different forms, each with its own unique benefits, when it comes to women’s health, the myo- and D-chiro forms are the most mentioned. Let’s break it down.
Myo-inositol, one of these key forms, plays a major role in how your body handles glucose. It helps with everything from metabolising and transporting glucose to breaking it down and converting it into glycogen (your body’s energy storage). It’s also super important for insulin signaling — basically, it helps your body respond to insulin the way it should.
But inositol’s role in the body doesn’t stop there. It also plays a major part in supporting cellular health and regulating hormones. However, when it comes to supplementation, myo-inositol is the most bio-available form, making it the go-to choice for overall health support.
Stay Balanced: Inositol and Its Mood-Boosting Benefits
When it comes to mood, inositol plays a key role in regulating how we feel. It helps produce serotonin, the 'feel-good' hormone that’s crucial for keeping your mood steady and helping you feel calm and balanced. With enough inositol, your body can produce healthy serotonin levels, which may help manage mood issues like depression, irritability, and anxiety.
Another bonus? Fluctuations in serotonin can trigger cravings, especially for sugary foods — something many of us deal with during our menstrual cycle. By supporting healthy serotonin levels, inositol can help curb those cravings, making it easier to stay on track with a balanced diet and avoid the rollercoaster of sugar highs and crashes.
Sleep Well: How Inositol Helps Improve Your Rest
Inositol has also been shown to improve sleep quality. In one study, pregnant women who took myo-inositol reported not only better sleep but also longer sleep duration. Since good sleep is so essential for overall health, this is pretty exciting — especially since poor sleep can make other health conditions worse. By helping you sleep better, inositol creates a positive cycle: better sleep leads to a more balanced mood and hormones, which in turn helps you sleep even better, improving your overall well-being!
Fertility Boost: How Inositol Supports Your Reproductive Health
Myo-inositol is quickly becoming a key player in reproductive health. Studies show that higher levels of myo-inositol in follicular fluids (the fluid surrounding your eggs) are a positive sign, indicating better follicular maturity and healthier, higher-quality eggs.
So, when it comes to fertility, inositol really could be a game-changer. It plays a crucial role in supporting egg development, cell growth, and maintaining cell structure. But it doesn't stop there — it also helps regulate insulin (as we mentioned earlier!), which directly impacts reproductive health. By lowering insulin levels, inositol can support egg health and increase the chances of ovulation, making it a valuable ally for women facing fertility challenges.
For women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), inositol might offer even more benefits. Research suggests that higher levels of myo-inositol could improve pregnancy outcomes, including better egg quality, enhanced ovulation, and a higher number of retrievable eggs and embryos. While more research is still needed to confirm these effects, inositol shows great promise as a natural supplement to support reproductive health.
And the perks of myo-inositol? They don’t stop at fertility. It can actually be pretty helpful during pregnancy too. New research suggests that myo-inositol may reduce the risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), which is a big win for women during pregnancy. For those who don’t know, GDM can bring serious risks for both mum and baby. For the mum, it could increase the chances of developing things like obesity, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic syndrome down the road.
Inositol Wrap-Up
Inositol is one of those under-the-radar but powerhouse nutrients that’s making waves in women’s health. From supporting mood balance and better sleep to improving fertility and pregnancy outcomes, its benefits are hard to ignore. So, whether you're looking to boost your reproductive health or just improve your overall well-being, adding a little inositol into your life might be exactly what you need.
When we set-out to create our PMS & Hormone Balance Blend, inositol was on the top of our ‘must have’ list and as you’ll see, it’s for good reason. Inositol is a nutrient, often overlooked but increasingly recognised for its role in supporting a range of health issues, from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to mood regulation and sleep quality. But what exactly is inositol, and how can it benefit you on your hormonal health journey.