Common Names: Cyclohexanehexol, Vitamin B8, myo-Inositol, Myoinositol
Scientific Names: myo-Inositol, (1R,2S,3r,4R,5S,6s)-Cyclohexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol
Inositol, a carbocyclic sugar found naturally in the body and various foods, exists in nine different forms, with myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol being the most common in supplements. Myo-inositol, a sugar alcohol with half the sweetness of sucrose, plays a crucial role in cell signal transduction and osmoregulation, particularly in the brain. Although it was once considered a B vitamin, it is now known to be synthesized in the human body from glucose. Inositol has been implicated in mental health, potentially balancing certain chemicals in the body and offering benefits for conditions such as panic disorder, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Additionally, it is promoted as a dietary supplement for managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), particularly in the context of fertility for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in women with PCOS, although evidence for its efficacy remains of very low quality.