Can Inositol Benefit Those With Type 2 Diabetes?
We have been recommending inositol to women with PCOS for years at the PCOS Nutrition Center. And for good reason: A combination of myo and d-chiro inositol (Ovasitol) have been shown to reduce insulin resistance and gestational diabetes, and inositol helps to improve fertility by improving egg quality and ovulation.
I saw the benefits of taking inositol firsthand after researching the published studies about it. As a woman with PCOS, I took metformin for years along with making changes to my lifestyle. This kept my hemoglobin A1C (or Ha1c) at 5.4% (prediabetes is considered at 5.7% and diabetes at 7% or higher). I started taking 4 grams of myo inositol daily. Within 3 months of regular use, my Ha1c went down to 5.1%. I kept taking it and 3 months later (6 months of using inositol) my Ha1c went down to 4.9%. I was thrilled! Metformin never did that for me.
I’ve often been asked if inositol can help those suffering from type 2 diabetes. The answer was always, we don’t know because there were no studies at the time. Until now.
Inositol For Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes
In a small (20 people) pilot study published in the International Journal of Endocrinology, researchers looked at the metabolic effects of taking a combination of myo-inositol (550 mg) and d-chiro-inositol (13.8 mg), in male and female individuals with type 2 diabetes. Inositols were given in a 40:1 ratio to mimic the level seen in human tissues. Inositols were taken orally, twice a day, as an add-on supplement to their glucose-lowering drugs like metformin. Participants in the study also followed a low GI diet.
The results were exciting. After 3 months of use, individuals who took the combined dosage of inositol saw significant reductions in their fasting glucose (192.6 versus 160.9) and Ha1c levels (8.6% versus 7.7%).
None of the subjects reported any side effects of taking the inositols, even with their glucose-lowering medications.
The researchers were surprised by the Ha1c reduction of 1.0 to 1.5% in a short amount of time, stating the benefits of combining myo and d-chiro inositol can help to achieve glycemic control. The researchers concluded:
“As an effective insulin sensitizer, inositol could represent a possible alternative to metformin or pioglitazone that are typically used as insulin sensitizer glucose-lowering drugs, when their use is not possible (i.e., metformin intolerance, drugs contraindications).”
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While this study is only a pilot study, it provides encouraging results that a combination of myo and d-chiro inositol in a 40:1 ratio is a safe way to help regulate blood sugar levels in those suffering from type 2 diabetes in addition to their current diabetes medications. It’ll be interesting to see what future long-term randomized trials that use inositol in individuals with type 2 diabetes show.
Source:
Pintaudi B, Di Vieste G, Bonomo M.The Effectiveness of Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro Inositol Treatment in Type 2 Diabetes. Int J Endocrinol. 2016;2016:9132052.
Have you seen improvements in your glucose or Ha1c levels by taking inositol? Share your experiences with us below.
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Comments (16)
Elenas
March 10, 2017 at 9:55 am
Very interesting reading. For how long should you take inositol /ovasitol in order to see results ? If nothing happens in e.g. six months maybe not the right supplement for you.. Any thoughts ?
Angela Grassi
March 10, 2017 at 2:35 pm
Good question Elena! We recommend taking 2 to 4 grams of Ovasitol daily for 3 months. Things to look for are reduction in cravings, improved menstrual regularity, and a reduction in your Ha1c levels. Sometimes you may not see a difference, but your labs can tell a different story.
Betty
July 16, 2017 at 5:56 pm
Does this mean men with prediabetes could try taking ovasitol?
Angela Grassi
July 26, 2017 at 8:13 am
Yes, men can take ovasitol. It only contains myo and d-chiro inositol.
April Peck
May 8, 2018 at 11:37 am
Hi! Thank you so much for all the helpful information you provide – you are one of my go-to resources for PCOS. I have a question, though. The amounts recommended for T2 diabetes is much lower than what is recommended for PCOS. I’ve been taking the recommended amount for PCOS, but it seems to have done nothing for my blood sugar (although it significantly helps some of my PCOS symptoms!). Since I have both PCOS and T2D, which amount would be recommended?
Angela Grassi
May 18, 2018 at 4:04 pm
We recommend 2g of myo and 50 grams of DCI twice a day. Ovasitol has this combined ratio in it.
Aayush
April 11, 2020 at 9:43 am
I do have pcos and i am diabetic too. I am taking metformin but i feel its not working. Is it good to take ovasitol together with metformin or just ovasitol?
Angela Grassi
April 15, 2020 at 9:32 am
yes, you can take metformin and Ovasitol together. They work differently.
Marcy
April 4, 2021 at 8:08 am
I am 73 and have T2D. I am not taking metformin and never want to. I manage blood sugar with diet and exercise. Levels are usually 150-170, I feel good for the most part. I do not have PCOS. My question, taking this will not effect hormones, and can I take it with supplements? I take Berberine and Turmeric. Thanks
Angela Grassi
April 9, 2021 at 3:53 pm
Inositol has been studeied in type 2 diabetes: https://www.pcosnutrition.com/can-inositol-benefit-type-2-diabetes/
Elly
June 14, 2022 at 5:39 am
Does Ovasitol helps to get pregnant?
Does Ovasitol helps to reduce body weight?
Does Ovasitol helps to reduce blood sugar level?
Angela Grassi
June 14, 2022 at 10:20 am
Yes!
Yes!
Yes!
Yuva
July 2, 2022 at 5:42 am
My Vitamin B12 is very high. So, will it be safe to take Ovasitol and Thera Natal Core?
Angela Grassi
July 3, 2022 at 10:17 am
Ovasitol does not have vitamin B12 in it. B12 is water soluble so it is not toxic in high amounts.
Debbie
January 5, 2023 at 1:11 pm
Years ago I took inositol for thinning hair. Recently diagnosed with T2D. Metformin had no helpful effect and was switched to long acting insulin 1x/day. I have also had a major hair thinning, at lease 50%. I want to take inositol for my hair. Which variation would be most helpful?
Angela Grassi
January 5, 2023 at 2:55 pm
Hi Debbie, Inositol can help with hair growth. For that we would recommend Ovasitol twice a day: https://www.pcosnutrition.com/product/ovasitol/
Here are some other supplements and tips to help hair loss: https://www.pcosnutrition.com/hair-loss/