How Inositol Works in the Body: 10 Functions
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Leesduur: 6 min
Inositol is a substance you may never have heard of, and yet it plays a major role in your body behind the scenes.
Inositol is particularly active in areas where a lot of communication is required, such as your kidneys, brain, testicles, ovaries and liver .
But what exactly does it do there? In this article, I'll take you through 10 important functions of inositol in your body.
Essential for insulin signaling and cell membranes, regulates blood sugar and fuels cellular communication via the IP3 pathway.
Supports reproduction, brain function and energy management by regulating fluid balance and neurotransmitters.
Potential role in lipid metabolism, skin and hair health, and antioxidant function: Evidence ranges from strong to limited.
Table of contents
1. Insulin Signaling (Hormone Regulation) - Very well substantiated 2. Component of cell membranes – Well substantiated 3. Messenger of signals within your cells – Well substantiated 4. Reproductive health – Well substantiated 5. Inositol and your brain function (Neurological function) – Moderately to well substantiated 6. Energy management (Fat and sugar metabolism) – Moderately substantiated 7. Fluid balance within your cells – Moderately substantiated 8. Fat metabolism – Limited to moderately substantiated 9. Skin and hair health – Very limited substantiated 10. Properties of antioxidants – Very limited substantiated Conclusion
1. Insulin Signaling (Hormone Regulation) - Very well substantiated
Insulin is a hormone that helps balance the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood.
It works like a key that opens the doors of your cells, allowing glucose to enter. Your cells then use that glucose as fuel to produce energy.
There are indications that inositol plays a role in how your body responds to insulin. And that's important for balancing your blood sugar levels. (1)
2. Part of cell membranes – Well substantiated
Inositol is also an important component ( phosphatidylinositol ) of cell membranes. The cell membrane is like a thin, flexible layer that surrounds every cell in your body. These membranes ensure that everything the cell needs enters and that waste products are removed.
Inositol helps keep cell membranes flexible and functional so they can do their job properly. (2) (3)
3. Messenger of signals within your cells – Well-founded
Within your cells, inositol is converted into substances that transmit signals. One of these substances is inositol triphosphate (IP3), a molecule that tells the cell what to do, such as respond to a hormone or a change in the environment.
Through the so-called IP3 pathway, this substance helps release calcium, among other things, into the cell. Calcium acts as a kind of on/off switch for all sorts of processes, such as growth, movement, or gene translation.
But calcium is just one of the links. The bigger picture is that inositol allows your cells to understand what's happening around them and respond appropriately. (4) (5)
4. Reproductive health – Well-founded
Inositol supports processes in your body that are important for reproduction. For example, it plays a role in how certain cells mature—such as eggs—and also in the communication between those cells.
It helps transmit signals from hormones involved in these processes. You can think of it as a kind of regulator behind the scenes, ensuring that everything works together smoothly at the right time. (6)
5. Inositol and Your Brain Function (Neurological Function) – Moderately to Well Supported
Inositol is found in relatively large quantities in your brain. Nerve cells (neurons) require a stable environment to function properly. Inositol plays an important role in regulating the fluid balance within these cells.
And that's necessary for proper communication between nerve cells. If the fluid balance is disrupted, it can disrupt the signals between nerve cells, affecting how well your brain functions.
For example, research shows that inositol is involved in systems that influence the function of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. These substances are crucial for your mood and other mental functions. (7)
6. Energy Management (Fat and Sugar Metabolism) – Moderately Substantiated
Inositol plays an indirect role in how your body processes fats and sugars. It helps your cells decide whether to store or release energy, depending on your body's needs.
This is an important job because it ensures that your body uses the energy it receives efficiently. (8)
7. Fluid balance within your cells – Moderately substantiated
Fluid balance was already discussed earlier in this list. Inositol is a so-called osmolyte . This means it helps maintain fluid balance in your cells, especially when the concentrations of substances like salt or sugar in your body change.
This is important for your kidneys and brain, where a stable fluid balance is essential for proper cell functioning. (9)
8. Fat metabolism – Limited to moderately substantiated
Research suggests that inositol can help break down and transport fats in your liver. This could help prevent fat accumulation in the liver.
This area is still being investigated further, but there is not enough evidence at this time to draw definitive conclusions. (10)
9. Skin and hair health – Very limited substantiation
It is sometimes suggested that inositol may also have benefits for your skin and hair, through its role in cell regeneration and metabolism.
However, there isn't much direct scientific evidence that inositol has specific effects on skin or hair health. It's a topic that remains under investigation.
10. Properties of antioxidants – Very limited substantiation
Inositol exhibits mild antioxidant properties, meaning it may help protect your cells from certain types of damage. It may help neutralize free radicals, which can damage your cells.
However, inositol is not often classified as a powerful antioxidant like vitamin C or E, and it is not the primary function attributed to inositol.
Conclusion
While science is still investigating the mechanisms behind some of its functions, it's clear that inositol plays an interesting role in cellular health. This forms the basis for many potential health benefits.
I keep an eye on science with a curious eye and look forward to developments with hope.
Want to learn more about inositol? Then read my other articles on myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol , the two most common forms of inositol.
We have also written an article about inositol in general and the advantages of the different variants compared to each other.
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.
Sources used
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- Suliman, M., Case, K. C., Schmidtke, M. W., Lazcano, P., Onu, C. J., & Greenberg, M. L. (2022). Inositol depletion regulates phospholipid metabolism and activates stress signaling in HEK293T cells. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular And Cell Biology Of Lipids, 1867(6), 159137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbalip.2022.159137
- Hawthorne, J. N., Simmonds, S. H., Simpson, C. M. F., Tones, M. A., & Yagisawa, H. (1987). Inositol phospholipids and cell regulation. Biochemical Society Transactions, 15(3), 319–321. https://doi.org/10.1042/bst0150319
- Williamson, J. R. (1986). Role of inositol lipid breakdown in the generation of intracellular signals. State of the art lecture. Hypertension, 8(6_pt_2). https://doi.org/10.1161/01.hyp.8.6_pt_2.ii140
- Hirose, K., Kadowaki, S., Tanabe, M., Takeshima, H., & Iino, M. (1999). Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate That Underlies Complex Ca 2+ Mobilization Patterns. Science, 284(5419), 1527–1530. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.284.5419.1527
- Unfer, V., Facchinetti, F., Orrù, B., Giordani, B., & Nestler, J. (2017c). Myo-inositol effects in women with PCOS: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Endocrine Connections, 6(8), 647–658. https://doi.org/10.1530/ec-17-0243
- Mukai, T., Kishi, T., Matsuda, Y., & Iwata, N. (2013b). A meta‐analysis of inositol for depression and anxiety disorders. Human Psychopharmacology Clinical And Experimental, 29(1), 55–63. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2369
- Bevilacqua, A., & Bizzarri, M. (2018b). Inositols in Insulin Signaling and Glucose Metabolism. International Journal Of Endocrinology, 2018, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1968450
- Strange, K., Morrison, R., Heilig, C. W., DiPietro, S., & Gullans, S. R. (1991). Upregulation of inositol transport mediates inositol accumulation in hyperosmolar brain cells. AJP Cell Physiology, 260(4), C784–C790. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpcell.1991.260.4.c784
- Aliakbarian, M., Tohidinezhad, F., Eslami, S., & Akhavan-Rezayat, K. (2018). Liver transplantation for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: literature review and three new cases. Infectious Diseases, 50(6), 452–459. https://doi.org/10.1080/23744235.2018.1428823
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