Myo-inositol
A molecule similar to sugars, found in food. Almost all research into it focuses on women’s health: gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome and IVF.
Benefits
- Reduces the incidence of gestational diabetes: 14.0 per cent compared with 33.6 per cent in the placebo group amongst obese pregnant women, and 6 per cent compared with 15.3 per cent amongst those with a family history of type 2 diabetes
- Confirmed by a meta-analysis: across five randomised trials, the risk of gestational diabetes is reduced by more than half (relative risk 0.43), with fewer preterm births
- In women with polycystic ovaries undergoing ovulation induction, more mature follicles and oocytes are retrieved, embryo quality is better, and fewer immature oocytes are retrieved
- In in vitro fertilisation, it reduces the amount of gonadotropins required for ovarian stimulation (8 studies, 812 participants)
Precautions
The studies focus on medical conditions — pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome, IVF treatment, the menopause — and are carried out under medical supervision. Medical advice is therefore essential before taking it, particularly during pregnancy. Almost all of these trials combine myo-inositol with folic acid, making it difficult to isolate the effect of myo-inositol alone. It is also worth noting that the most favourable meta-analysis found no effect on blood glucose levels two hours after a glucose load, nor on gestational age, birth weight or macrosomia. In IVF, the duration of stimulation is shortened only in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. And in overweight women with this syndrome, the combination of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol performs better than myo-inositol alone.
Recommended dosage
2 g twice daily, almost always combined with folic acid: this is the dosage regimen used in virtually all trials, both in pregnant women and in cases of polycystic ovary syndrome. The study on the thyroid uses 600 mg per day, combined with selenium.
Did you know?
During in vitro fertilisation (IVF), myo-inositol may reduce the amount of hormones required for ovarian stimulation, in both women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome.
What the studies say
Cette étude a examiné l'effet de la supplémentation en myo-inositol chez des femmes enceintes ayant des antécédents familiaux de diabète de type 2. Les résultats montrent que le myo-inositol (2g deux fois par jour avec de l'acide folique) a significativement réduit l'incidence du diabète gestationnel (6% contre 15,3% dans le groupe placebo). De plus, une réduction significative de la macrosomie fœtale (bébés de plus de 4000g) et du poids moyen des bébés à la naissance a été observée.
D'Anna R, Scilipoti A, Giordano D, Caruso C, Cannata ML, Interdonato ML, Corrado F, Di Benedetto A. — Diabetes care (2013) — View the source study
For information only: not a substitute for medical advice. Dietary supplements are not a replacement for a varied, balanced diet. Learn more