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Inositol

Inositol is a sugar-like substance the body makes and also gets from food. Sometimes called vitamin B8, it is not actually a vitamin.

Also listed as Myoinositol, Cyclohexanehexol, myo-Inositol

FertilityCardiovascularStress & MoodCognition

Does it improve ovulation?

A 2024 review included 30 trials with 2,230 participants. Some metabolic measures improved, and D-chiro-inositol showed possible ovulation benefits, but the overall evidence was limited and inconclusive. 1

OvulationToo little evidence

The signal merits further study; its size and reliability remain uncertain. 1

Does it improve IVF outcomes?

A review of eight trials involving 820 participants found slightly more retrieved eggs, averaging 0.41 extra. Clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rates did not differ significantly. More eggs did not translate into demonstrated improvements in these outcomes. 2

Egg HealthToo little evidence

Egg or embryo quality benefits were not established in these assisted-reproduction trials. 2

What about panic attacks?

In a small 1995 crossover trial, 21 people with panic disorder completed four-week treatment periods using 12 g daily or placebo. Panic frequency and severity improved more with inositol. The small, short study is a preliminary finding, not evidence for all anxiety disorders. 3

AnxietyToo little evidence

A promising result in panic disorder needs confirmation in larger, longer trials. 3

Effects by health goal

Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.

All studies

15 publications are linked to Inositol, newest first.

Effectiveness of Myo-inositol on oocyte and embryo quality in assisted reproduction: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.2024Myo-inositol supplementation improves cardiometabolic factors, anthropometric measures, and liver function in obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease2023Effects of Inositol-Enhanced Bonded Arginine Silicate Ingestion on Cognitive and Executive Function in Gamers2021Inositol and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review on Deficiencies and Supplementation2020The myo-inositol effect on the oocyte quality and fertilization rate among women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing assisted reproductive technology cycles: a randomized clinical trial2019Inositol treatment of anovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta‐analysis of randomised trials2018Myo-inositol supplementation reduces the amount of gonadotropins and length of ovarian stimulation in women undergoing IVF: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2018The effects of inositol supplementation on lipid profiles among patients with metabolic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2018Inositol supplementation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.2017Randomized Prospective Double-Blind Studies to Evaluate the Cognitive Effects of Inositol-Stabilized Arginine Silicate in Healthy Physically Active Adults2016Effects of inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial.2003Double-Blind, Controlled, Crossover Trial of Inositol Versus Fluvoxamine for the Treatment of Panic Disorder2001Epi‐inositol: A potential antidepressant2000Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of inositol treatment for panic disorder.1995Double-blind, controlled trial of inositol treatment of depression.1995

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