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You may have heard that inositol supplements could help manage blood sugar or support weight loss. Are you wondering about inositol’s benefits or asking, “Does inositol help with weight loss or diabetes?” If so, here’s what to know so you and your healthcare provider can decide whether it might be a good fit for your care plan.
Always talk with your doctor before starting a new supplement — including inositol — to make sure it’s safe for you and won’t interact with other medications.
Inositol is a type of sugar alcohol that your body makes naturally. It’s also found in common foods such as legumes, fruits, grains, meats, and corn. As a supplement, inositol comes in capsules or powder form.
Inositol helps cells stay healthy and supports several important functions, such as:
Inositol used to be considered a B vitamin. Even though inositol has been reclassified, some people still call it vitamin B8. In supplements, it may be labeled as myo-inositol, D-chiro-inositol, or inositol hexaphosphate. People with higher blood glucose levels may have less inositol in their bodies.
There’s some evidence that taking inositol may help with weight loss, diabetes, and overall metabolic health. However, it’s not a substitute for other diabetes treatment options like medications, physical activity, stress management, and healthy eating. If you’re thinking about taking inositol, talk with your healthcare provider about how it might fit into your treatment plan.
Inositol has been studied more for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) than for many other conditions. For people with both PCOS and obesity, inositol has shown some success in improving insulin sensitivity, reducing body weight, and supporting ovulation. However, other studies have had inconclusive results. Researchers recommend talking with your doctor to decide if inositol might help you manage PCOS.
Some research shows that inositol may help people with gestational diabetes mellitus — high blood sugar during pregnancy. This condition can affect the health of both the pregnant person and the baby.
In a study published in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 200 pregnant women were given either inositol plus folic acid or folic acid only. Those taking inositol were less likely to develop gestational diabetes. They also had lower blood glucose levels, less insulin resistance, and higher insulin sensitivity. This suggests that inositol may help manage blood sugar levels during pregnancy and lower the risk of gestational diabetes, but more research is needed to confirm these results.
Even if inositol helps people with gestational diabetes, those results may not apply to other types of diabetes, like type 2 diabetes. Hormonal changes during pregnancy may affect how the body responds to inositol.
Other research suggests that inositol may help regulate blood sugar and fat metabolism in people with diabetes. Researchers are also studying how inositol affects blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol levels, and other factors linked to metabolic syndrome. However, more studies are needed before any conclusions can be made.
Inositol may be helpful for weight loss. In a 2021 systematic review, researchers looked at results from a number of studies to see if, overall, inositol helped lower body mass index (BMI). The findings showed that inositol helped lower BMI scores by an average of 0.41 kilograms per square meter. It had the greatest effects in people with both PCOS and obesity. Myo-inositol appeared to be more effective than other forms of the dietary supplement.
However, the overall amount of weight loss was small. This means you shouldn’t depend on inositol alone if losing weight is your goal. It may be more effective when used along with other weight-management strategies, such as a healthy diet and physical activity.
Inositol is generally considered safe and doesn’t cause many side effects. Study participants who took higher doses often experienced mild gastrointestinal side effects like bloating, nausea, and diarrhea. However, the commonly used lower dose typically caused no side effects.
Other reported side effects of inositol include headaches, dizziness, abdominal pain, and fatigue. It’s not clear how often these occur or which doses are more likely to cause them. If you start inositol and notice these symptoms, the supplement could be the reason.
Before using any supplement or herb, especially to help manage blood sugar levels, it’s important to check with your endocrinology team. They can make sure it’s safe for you, both on its own and with other medications you take. They can also guide you on the right dose, timing, and possible side effects to watch for.
On DiabetesTeam, people share their experiences with diabetes, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
What does your doctor say about using inositol for weight loss and diabetes? Let others know in the comments below.
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