Inositol: Benefits, Sources & How It Supports Health

The B vitamin complex is a treasure chest of nutrients, one of which is inositol. It is found in most citrus fruits, cantaloupes, wheat germ, lecithin granules, veal, pork, liver, beans, chickpeas, rice, oats and nuts. Your body also makes inositol. While better-known B vitamins like niacin and riboflavin often get more attention than inositol, this viatmin also helps us in a number of ways.

Cholesterol Reduction

• Inositol effectively promotes the body's production of lecithin. Lecithin helps move fats from the liver to the cells. This means inositol aids in the metabolism of fats and reduces cholesterol.

Protection of Organs

• Working with choline, inositol prevents the hardening of arteries and protects the heart, kidneys and liver.

Lively Cells

• The growth and survival of cells in the intestines, eye membranes and bone marrow depends upon inositol.

Healthy Hair

• Inositol is necessary for hair growth. It also prevents thinning of the hair and baldness.

Preventing Problems

• Inositol helps prevent eczema, skin eruptions and constipation.

Food for Thought

• Inositol has been found helpful in brain nutrition, and has been used to treat various mental disorders.

A Team Player

• Inositol is more effective when taken with the other B complex vitamins.