Table of Contents
Dietary Supplements and Insulin Resistance — Your Guide to Inositol
What Is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance occurs when the human body is unable to process insulin as it should, leading to decreased insulin sensitivity.
Insulin, a hormone created by the pancreas, controls the amount of glucose that is found in the bloodstream, and it helps to regulate the body’s metabolism and store excess glucose for ideal body functioning. When the body is insulin resistant, it’s not responding to insulin and, therefore, can’t use glucose for energy. Because of this, the body thinks it should be producing more insulin and makes excess, much of which is not used as energy or stored.
Adverse Effects Of Insulin Resistance
When your body has a surplus of circulating insulin, none of which is being converted or stored as useful energy, then this can be dangerous for the system. This is why insulin regulation is necessary. Without regulating insulin by means of certain foods, supplements, or medications, the excess sugar levels remain high (also known as hyperinsulinemia), which has been linked to issues like heart disease, cancer, and obesity.
If high insulin turns into type 2 diabetes, then there is an additional risk of nerve damage, which can result in ailments like gum disease, blindness, stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, and amputation.
Managing Insulin Resistance
Managing insulin resistance often involves insulin injections. A person uses a pinprick device to monitor their blood sugar levels and then administers an injection to bring their levels to the appropriate range. Once insulin injections are needed, reversing the disease becomes more difficult, and the individual may need this medication for life.
Lifestyle Changes for Insulin Resistance
If you don’t have insulin resistance but are pre-diabetic, show insulin-resistant tendencies, or have related syndromes like metabolic disorder, you can take steps to lower your blood glucose levels naturally and improve insulin resistance before it develops into type 2 diabetes.
Since insulin resistance is not a permanent condition like type 2 diabetes and can be reversed, making lifestyle changes can significantly improve it. However, some changes might be challenging. For instance, getting more exercise can be difficult if you live in a cold climate, lack access to recreational facilities, or have work hours that limit your availability for physical activity.
Therefore, using supplements to boost lifestyle changes will help to encourage insulin properties and improve your lifestyle.
Insulin Resistance and PCOS
There are several precursors to insulin resistance, but there are not many known reasons why it occurs. Of course, things like obesity, low activity levels, and more can cause insulin resistance, but that is not always the case.
Insulin resistance and PCOS are often linked together. Individuals who have PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, are more likely to develop insulin resistance because PCOS disrupts an individual’s endocrine system as well as increases the levels of androgens in the body.
High levels of androgens are often linked to higher insulin levels (although the root cause is not yet known). Therefore, having properties of insulin resistance could also suggest that the individual is also experiencing other endocrine disruptors and PCOS symptoms.
Women with PCOS face a heightened risk of developing metabolic syndrome, which encompasses a cluster of conditions such as high blood pressure, elevated insulin levels, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
Insulin Resistance and Gestational Diabetes
Insulin resistance also plays a critical role in the development of gestational diabetes, a condition that affects pregnant women.
Research indicates that pregnant women with gestational diabetes have higher levels of insulin resistance compared to those with normal glucose tolerance. This resistance impairs the body’s ability to use insulin effectively, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.
Finding a Solution
If this is the case, you’ll also want to work with a physician to identify the right combination of medication (if applicable), lifestyle changes, and supplements to improve both conditions. If you have any other underlying conditions or are trying to get pregnant, then be sure to consult a physician first.
Possible Benefits of Inositol Supplements
If you have both insulin resistance and PCOS, or even if you just struggle with insulin resistance, you could consider supplementing with Inositol powder. Inositol powder, also known as Myo-Inositol, has shown positive results in improving insulin resistance.
In people with insulin resistance, increased insulin levels can reduce the natural levels of inositol, affecting its regulatory functions. Researchers believe that supplementing with inositol might help the body regulate insulin more effectively again.
Effectiveness of Inositol Powder for Insulin Resistance
If you’re considering natural supplements for improving insulin resistance, then trying out Inositol powder is a good choice.
Best Inositol for Insulin Resistance
Inositol powder has been shown to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, particularly in patients with PCOS. Inositol can be separated into several different types of sugars, like Myo-Inositol and D-chiro-inositol. In combination, both Myo-Inositol and D-chiro-inositol might improve the risk of metabolic disease over simply supplementing with Myo-Inositol.
Inositol Dosages
How to determine the right dosage and combination will depend on your unique needs, so speak to a doctor if you’re unsure. The good news is that Myo-Inositol is extremely safe for consumption, so you can test it out to see if there are any initial improvements.
Inositol powder also shows minimal, if any, side effects, even at higher doses. These mild side effects might include nausea, headache, and fatigue.
What is the Inositol Dosage For Insulin Resistance?
If you are taking Myo-Inositol powder for insulin resistance, consider trying it in powder form as opposed to pill form. That way, you can better control your dose. Doses for insulin resistance are usually around 4 grams per day, which can be hard to get in the pill form.
Studies have shown that supplementing with this dosage of myo-inositol can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. For instance, a study found that pregnant women taking 2 grams of myo-inositol twice daily (alongside folic acid) had a 40% lower incidence of gestational diabetes compared to those taking a placebo.
Wrapping Up
Inositol powder is a promising natural supplement for managing insulin resistance. It is especially beneficial for individuals with PCOS, as it helps regulate insulin levels and improve metabolic functioning. Additionally, if you are in Australia, consider buying Myo-Inositol powder from Inositol Australia! As always, consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, including Inositol for insulin resistance.
Inositol Insulin Resistance — Resources
Asplin, I., Galasko, G., & Larner, J. (1993). Chiro-inositol Deficiency And Insulin Resistance: A Comparison Of The Chiro-inositol-and The Myo-inositol-containing Insulin Mediators Isolated From Urine, Hemodialysate, And Muscle Of Control And Type Ii Diabetic Subjects. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences, 90(13), 5924-5928. Retrieved Jan 29, 2021.
Barbieri & Ehrmann. (2020). Patient Education: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos) (Beyond The Basics). Retrieved Jan 29, 2021.
Fioravanti & Yanagi. Cytidinediphosphocholine (Cdp-choline) For Cognitive And Behavioural Disturbances Associated With Chronic Cerebral Disorders In The Elderly. Database Syst Rev. 2005 Apr 18;(2):Cd000269. Doi: 10.1002/14651858.Cd000269. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021. Retrieved Jan 29, 2021.
Formuso, C., Stracquadanio, M., & Ciotta, L. (2015). Myo-inositol Vs. D-chiro Inositol In Pcos Treatment. Minerva Ginecologica, 67(4), 321-325. Retrieved Jan 29, 2021.
Inositol Australia. (2020). What Foods Are High In Inositol. Retrieved Jan 22, 2021.
Nordio. (2010). The Combined Therapy With Myo-inositol And D-chiro-inositol Reduces The Risk Of Metabolic Disease In Pcos Overweight Patients Compared To Myo-inositol Supplementation Alone. European Review For Medical And Pharmacological Sciences 16(5):575-81. Retrieved Jan 29, 2021.
Showell, Mackenzie‐proctor, Jordan, Hodgson, & Farquhar. Inositol For Subfertile Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Cochrane Database Of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 12. Art. No.: Cd012378. Doi: 10.1002/14651858.Cd012378.Pub2. Accessed 29 January 2021. Retrieved Jan 29, 2021.
Unfer, Carlomagno, Dante, & Facchinetti. (2012). Effects Of Myo-inositol In Women With Pcos: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Clinical Trials. Retrieved Jan 29, 2021.
DiNicolantonio, J & O’Keefe, J. (2022) Myo-inositol for insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome and gestational diabetes. Retrieved Jun 19 2024.
