Inositol is needed for health at cellular level and a fair concentration is found in the lens of the human eye as well as the heart.

Men taking extra inositol reported that their hair loss had improved, with less hair falling out - although this has not been tested under clinical situations.

Inositol is required for

Inositol plays an important part in the health of cell membranes especially the specialized cells in the brain, bone marrow, eyes and intestines. The function of the cell membranes is to regulate the contents of the cells, which makes effective functioning possible.

Inositol is said to promote healthy hair, hair growth, and helps in controlling estrogen levels and may assist in preventing breast lumps.

It may also be of benefit in reducing blood cholesterol levels.

Deficiency of inositol

If your intake is not sufficient, you may experience symptoms such as eczema, hair loss, constipation, and abnormalities of the eyes and raised cholesterol.

Dosage

The dosage underneath is the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), but be aware that this dosage is the minimum that you require per day, to ward off serious deficiency of this particular nutrient. In the therapeutic use of this nutrient, the dosage is usually increased considerably, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.

Supplementation is usually 100 mg per day

Toxicity and symptoms of high intake

No toxic effects known, but diarrhea has been noted with the intake of very high dosage of inositol

Best used with

Choline should be taken in the same amount as inositol and the best is to take the entire B group vitamins with it, Vitamin E, vitamin C as well as folic acid and linoleic acid is thought to increase the functioning of inositol.

When more inositol may be required

Taking of long term antibiotics may increase your need for inositol, as well as if you consume a lot of coffee.

Enemy of inositol

Coffee kills this nutrient.

Food sources

Inositol is available from both plant and animal sources. The plant form in which inositol is available is phytic acid, which can bind with minerals and so affect their absorption negatively.

The body is also able to manufacture this factor. Inositol is available from wheat germ, brewers yeast, bananas, liver, brown rice, oat flakes, nuts, unrefined molasses, raisins and vegetables.