| A sugar-like water-soluble substance, inositol is classified as a
member of the B-complex vitamin group; found in the heart muscle,
kidney, liver and skeletal muscle, and in the leaves and seeds of
most plants; similar to choline, inositol is an essential component
of phospholipids (phosphatidyl inositols, or "PI") in cellular
membranes; phosphatidyl inositols function as cell membrane components
and as regulators of cell membrane transport by acting as a calcium-mobilizing
system (the "PI" effect) - thus, inositol interacts with
a wide variety of hormonal and regulatory events within the cells;
lipotropic activity (reduction of blood or tissue lipid levels) of
inositol centers around the role of phosphatidyl inositol in lipoproteins;
facilitates the production of arachadonic acid (a specialized fatty
acid); needed for the proper function of the gallbladder , kidneys
and liver; contributes to energy metabolism; enhances brain function
due to its importance in transmitting nerve impulses and memory; and
is essential for the health of the myelin sheath (the protective coating
of the nervous system).
An
inositol deficiency could be a contributing cause of abnormal platelet
aggregation, alcoholism, heart disease (along with B-vitamin deficiencies),
liver disease, memory loss, panic/anxiety attacks, and tardive dyskinesia.
Pharmaceutical drugs that can cause an inositol deficiency include
aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, chlortetracycline, demeclocycline,
doxycycline, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, minocycline, oxytetracycline,
penicillins, sulfonamides, tetracyclines and trimethoprim.
Dietary
sources richest in inositol (per serving) include cantaloupe, citrus
fruits, nutritional supplements, nuts, organ meats, seeds and whole
grains and grain products.
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hCG
