Inositol
Inositol
Inositol facts
- Inositol is a water-soluble vitamin
- Inositol is a B-vitamin co-factor
- Inositol helps the B-vitamins work more effectively
- Inositol works closely with choline and biotin
- Inositol can be obtained from food or created by the body
- Inositol is found in many parts of the body
Inositol is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it is easily absorbed in the body (as most of the body is made of water and so are most of the foods eaten), but some of it may be lost in cooking.
Inositol is a B vitamin co-factor, which means it is not quite a vitamin, but works with all of the B vitamins to help them perform their activities more effectively.
Inositol works closely with another B-vitamin co-factor (choline) as well as with vitamin H (biotin) to help turn the food that is eaten, into energy for the body, through the process of digestion. Inositol also works closely together with choline to maintain and regulate cell membranes.
Inositol can be either obtained from foods eaten, or the body can create it. The food source of inositol is obtained from plant-based foods from phytic acid – a substance found in the fibre of foods and the body converts this into inositol in the intestines, where it is absorbed. Inositol is also found in the form myo-inositol in some foods, which does not need to be converted and can be absorbed and used directly by the body for its various functions.
Inositol is found in plentiful supply in the lens of the eye, as well as the heart, but it is also concentrated in other parts of the body too.
