Myo – Inositol is an important nutrient that helps to prevent several diseases. As Myo – Inositol concentrations are normally very high in the liver and the ovaries, deficiencies in Myo – Inositol are often associated with metabolic disorders like Polycystic Ovarian Syndorme (PCOS). Other diseases associated with a deficiency of Myo - Inositol include problems of the nervous system, of the skin like eczemas, eye or brain function
(source: ”Metabolic Brain Diseases”; Effects of Myo - Inositol versus fluoxetine and imipramine pretreatments on serotonin 5HT2A and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in human neuroblastoma cells; Brink CB, et al; 2004, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15214506).

One of the most common effects of Myo - Inositol is the reduction of cholesterol levels in the body. Myo - Inositol helps in „fat transportation“ in the body, which in turn helps in preventing excess cholesterol. It supports the heart and liver to work properly by avoiding the deposition of cholesterol (source: “Biochemistry”; Molecular level interaction of the human acidic fibroblast growth factor with the antiangiogenic agent, inositol hexaphosphate; Kumar SM, et al; 2010, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21077672).

Apart from metabolism, it is suggested that Myo – Inositol could have some role in cancerous growth in humans. Some preliminary studies and tests have demonstrated, that adequate amounts of Inositols in the body can be helpful in cancer treatment. The evidence for its use in cancer treatment comes from two studies, one conducted with mice in 2003, and the other in human breast cancer patients, published in 2010. In the 2010 study, performed by Ivan Bacic, et al. published in the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research 2010, Inositol was added in one group to the conventional chemotherapy treatment. The researchers claim the Inositol group prevents cytopenia — a side effect of chemotherapy where white blood cells and platelets are significanly reduced or their production is inhibited. Inositol - treated patients reported a quality of life 30 percent greater than patients in the control group, who did not receive inositol. However, these researchers found no evidence that inositol altered the tumors themselves. This study indicates that inositol is a supportive therapy, not a substitute for conventional anti-cancer treatment. (source: http://www.jeccr.com/content/29/1/12)

Myo - Inositol can play a positive role in the cosmetic setting of hair care. Lecithin is one of the most important substances for the promotion of healthy hair and the production of lecithin is possible when inositol combines with choline... So people having problems with hair growth or hair loss may use Myo – Inositol to improve their hair health.

Myo - Inositol has an important role with regard to weight loss and appetite: A randomized double-blind clinical trial of 92 women who received either 400 mcg of folic acid as a placebo or 4 g Myo - Inositol plus 400 mcg folic acid (product like INOCAPS®) daily. Researchers discovered that ovulation significantly increased, as did the frequency of normal progesterone values in the luteal phase and estradiol levels in the Myo - Inositol group. This study noted less metabolic benefits to those women who were clinically overweight, but also that the Myo - Inositol group lost a significant amount of weight and had lowered leptin (an appetite regulating hormone) levels. The researchers concluded: “These data support a beneficial effect of myo-inositol in women with oligomenorrhea and polycystic ovaries in improving ovarian function.”
(source: http://www.europeanreview.org/pdf/458.pdf)

Let us focus here on the well studied and clinical proven benefits in the metabolic disorder of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) including acne and hirsutism, male sub-fertility and fertility issues in women, prevention of gestational diabetes and how Myo – Inositol can help you.