Inositol, Myo-Inositol en D-chiro-Inositol (DCI): Wat is het en wat doet het?

Inositol, Myo-Inositol, and D-chiro-Inositol (DCI): What Is It and What Does It Do?

Geschreven door: Ebrina van der Bijl

Gepubliceerd op: December 16, 2024

Leesduur: 10 min

Have you ever heard of inositol? It's mainly known among women.

Many women use myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol to support their hormonal balance.

But what do we actually know about this substance? What exactly is it and what are its benefits? For this article, I delved deeper into the scientifically proven effects of inositol.

Curious what I found? Then read on.

Inositol is a pseudovitamin sugar alcohol; myo- and D-chiro forms regulate cell energy, insulin, and nerve signals.

Myo-inositol predominates, DCI arises from it; optimal 40:1 ratio supports hormonal balance and glucose metabolism.

Research shows potential benefits for insulin sensitivity, fertility, and mood; high DCI doses may cause side effects.

What is Inositol?

Inositol is a sugar alcohol , a type of carbohydrate that is chemically similar to both sugar and alcohol.

It occurs naturally in virtually all cells in your body , but is more concentrated in those in your liver, kidneys, brain, and ovaries.

There this substance plays a role in all kinds of biological processes, which we will discuss later.

Pseudo-vitamin

Inositol was previously thought to be a vitamin and was given the name vitamin B8.

Until it later turned out that your body can produce inositol itself. Therefore, it's not officially classified as a vitamin. Instead, we now call it a "semi-vitamin" or "pseudo-vitamin."

Please note : The name vitamin B8 remains confusing because in Europe it means biotin, but elsewhere it sometimes means inositol.

Inositol in food

We produce most of the inositol in our bodies ourselves. But we also get small amounts from our diet.

For example, it is found in fruits, nuts, beans and whole grains.

Types of Inositol

Inositol is the umbrella term for a group of nine stereoisomers. These are different chemical forms of the same compound.

Of all the forms that exist, these two types are the most researched and used:

Myo-inositol
D-chiro-inositol

Besides these two, there are 7 other forms that are less known and researched:

L-chiro-inositol
Scyllo-inositol
Muco-inositol
Neo-inositol
Allo-inositol
Epi-inositol
Cis-inosito

The difference between Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol

Myo-inositol ( MI ) and D-chiro-inositol ( DCI ) are very similar but differ in where they are found in your body and in what amounts:

Myo-inositol

The most common form of inositol in our bodies, accounting for about 99% of all inositol in your cells
It occurs in higher concentrations in brain cells , the kidneys and in the ovaries
Your body makes it itself from glucose (blood sugar)
This form is also often found in food, especially in dried fruit (plums) , whole grains, beans and nuts

D-chiro-inositol

D-chiro-inositol is converted in your body from myo-inositol , but in industry it is usually extracted from carob pods
This conversion occurs mainly in the liver and muscles
It occurs in smaller amounts in foods such as carob pods and pumpkin seeds

These substances are in the spotlight of scientists and as a result, more and more people are discovering the benefits of myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol.

But what exactly do they do for your body?

The effect of Inositol

Inositol is part of the cell membrane – the protective layer of your cells. This layer regulates everything that goes in and out, such as glucose, the fuel for your cells.

Through this regulation, inositol helps your cells get the energy they need to function optimally.

But inositol does even more!

It also plays a role in communication between nerve cells , ensuring rapid transmission of signals. This affects not only your brain function but also your hormonal balance.

The effects of Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol

Both myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol play a role in how your cells respond to signals, such as those from insulin.

But their operation and where they operate differ:

Myo-inositol (MI)

This form is common in the brain and plays a role in communication between nerve cells and neurotransmitters.
MI is also active in the ovaries, where it influences the maturation of egg cells

D-chiro-inositol (DCI)

Plays a role in the storage of glucose as glycogen , which mainly takes place in the liver and muscles.
In addition, DCI is involved in insulin sensitivity and influences glucose uptake in cells
Although it doesn't have a direct hormonal effect, it primarily affects how well your body responds to hormones , particularly insulin

Both forms are important, but each has its own place. And it's precisely that balance between MI and DCI that can influence how well your body manages energy and hormones.

The Benefits of Inositol

Due to the growing interest in the effects of inositol, more and more is being learned about what this substance can do for our health.

Unfortunately, due to strict regulations, I can't go into too much detail about all the benefits of inositol, but I can give you an overview of where science is currently heading.

What we know so far:

1. Supports normal glucose metabolism *

Studies suggest that inositol may play a role in supporting insulin sensitivity and regulating blood sugar levels, but more research is needed to better understand these effects. (1) (2)

Good to know : Insulin sensitivity is the body's response to insulin to absorb glucose into cells. Improved insulin sensitivity can help prevent insulin resistance, a risk factor for conditions like type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

2. Supports reproductive health*

Studies have shown that inositol can contribute to insulin sensitivity, which can have a positive effect on hormonal balance.

This may help women regulate their menstrual cycle and improve the chances of ovulation by supporting hormonal functions. (3) (4)

3. Contributes to mental health *

Scientific research suggests that inositol, particularly myo-inositol, may play a role in regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter important for mood and anxiety management.

While there are studies showing that inositol may contribute to mental health, more research is needed to better understand these effects. (5) (6)

Good to know : (*) Health claim pending approval by the European Commission

The importance of the 40:1 ratio

In many supplements, the two main forms of inositol, Myo-inositol (MI) and D-chiro-inositol (DCI), are often combined for best effectiveness.

Most studies recommend a ratio of 40:1 , meaning you would need to take 40 times more myo-inositol than D-chiro-inositol.

Why 40:1?
This ratio matches the natural balance in your body, where myo-inositol is also 40 times more common than D-chiro-inositol. (7)

Normally, your body converts myo-inositol into D-chiro-inositol via an insulin-sensitive enzyme. However, if your insulin sensitivity is reduced, this conversion process becomes less efficient.

This process can also become unbalanced when hormonal imbalances occur, shifting the ratio between the two forms. As a result, certain tissues receive too little DCI, while others receive too much.

This helps understand why a specific ratio (such as 40:1) between the two is important. (8)

When do you choose extra Chiro D inositol?

In most cases, the standard ratio of 40:1 (myo-inositol:DCI) works best. This ratio offers a good balance between the benefits of both forms.

However, there are specific situations in which it may be considered to discontinue D-chiro-inositol (DCI) (also called DCI monotherapy):

Myo-inositol does not work well - If myo-inositol is not effective or causes side effects
Insulin sensitivity - DCI may contribute to improved insulin sensitivity
Specific hormonal situations - In severe hormonal imbalances, DCI monotherapy may be considered

However, removing DCI (or increasing the ratio) carries a number of risks:

Ovulation problems - Animal studies and limited human research suggest that high doses of DCI (>1,200 mg per day) may affect ovulation and reduce egg quality. Further research is needed to fully understand these effects.
Hormonal effects - At normal insulin levels, DCI monotherapy may have unwanted hormonal effects, such as increases in certain hormones (9) (10) (11) (12)

Key considerations for DCI monotherapy

For safe and responsible use of D-chiro inositol, I recommend that you follow these guidelines:

Dosage - Follow the recommended dosage of 600 mg DCI per day to minimize risks
Medical Advice - Always consult a doctor before deviating from the 40:1 ratio
Use with caution - DCI monotherapy should be used with caution, especially in women with normal insulin sensitivity.

In summary, the 40:1 ratio is usually the best choice, but in specific situations, DCI monotherapy may be considered. It is essential to understand the risks and seek medical advice.

Possible side effects of Inositol, Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol

Inositol, both myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol, is generally well tolerated, but as with any supplement, side effects can occur, especially at higher doses.

Myo-Inositol

Most common (especially at doses >4,000 mg/day): Gastrointestinal complaints - Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue or dizziness
Rare: Flatulence or bloating

D-Chiro-Inositol

D-chiro-inositol up to 1,200 mg per day is usually well tolerated
Sensitive individuals may experience mild digestive problems even at lower doses
Risks for women at high doses (>1,200 mg/day): Ovulation problems, increase in androgen hormones (testosterone)

TIP : If you experience side effects, it may help to reduce the dosage and divide it over two times a day.

Who should not use inositol?

In some situations, it is better not to use inositol until you have discussed it with your doctor:

Using diabetes medication - There is a risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), so it is important to monitor your blood sugar levels
Psychiatric conditions - In bipolar disorder, anxiety or depression, inositol may affect mood swings
Pregnancy/breastfeeding - Insufficient research has been done, so caution is advised

Good to know : It is always wise to consult a doctor before taking inositol supplements if you are taking medication or have health problems.

Inositol Supplements

Many people unconsciously have an increased need for myo-inositol.

Your body produces it from glucose, but that production can be disrupted by factors such as:

Insulin resistance
Growing older
Drinking a lot of coffee
Antibiotics

Furthermore, in the past we automatically got more inositol through food — think legumes and whole grains — but nowadays we eat them less often. (13)

That sometimes makes supplements useful.

Myo-inositol with D-Chiro-inositol

If you want to use inositol supplements, it is best to choose a supplement that contains both myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol .

Make sure that the ratio between these two forms is 40:1 as this combination is considered most effective for various health benefits.

Pure D-chiro-inositol

Pure D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a supplement containing only D-chiro inositol . It is often extracted from carob pods , which results in a purity of 95-98%.

If you use D-chiro-inositol, the usual dosage is between 600 and 1,200 mg per day. The appropriate amount depends partly on your body weight, but due to the aforementioned risks, the most commonly used (safe) dosage is 600 mg.

Ebrina van der Bijl

Ebrina is a nutritionist with a deep commitment to healthy eating and a sustainable lifestyle, based in beautiful Portugal. Her passion for natural and organic products is at the heart of her work. With a background in Nutrition & Dietetics and experience in product development and writing, she translates complex scientific information into practical advice for a balanced lifestyle.

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