Inositol (inositol)[edit | edit code]
Inositol content in some foods
Historical background[edit | edit code]
Inositol
(synonym:
inositol
) was discovered in the urine of diabetic patients more than a hundred years ago, but its possible role in nutrition was discussed only in 1941, when Gavin and McHenry established the lipotropic effect of inositol in rats. Inositol was then shown to reverse diet-induced alopecia in rats and mice. In 1957, Eagle et al. found that this substance is necessary for the growth of crops; any mammalian cells. However, for a number of reasons outlined below, the role of inositol as a vitamin in humans remains unclear.
Vitamin B8 (Inositol, inositol, inositdroretinol)
General characteristics of vitamin B8 (Inositol, inositol, inositdroretinol)
Vitamin B8 was discovered in 1848 by the German chemist Liebig, and in 1928 this substance was included in the classification of vitamins as B8.
During research, its role in the human body was established. Vitamin B8 ensures the normal course of metabolic processes, being part of many enzymes, activates lipid metabolism (which promotes active weight loss), regulates cholesterol levels, thereby helping to prevent the development of atherosclerosis, obesity and other diseases caused by excess weight.
Vitamin B8 is a vitamin-like substance (as it can be synthesized by the body), one of the most important B vitamins, has another name - inositol, inositol, inositdroretinol.
Physicochemical properties of vitamin B8
In its pure form, vitamin B8 is a water-soluble powder with a crystalline structure that has a sweetish taste. Vitamin B8 is found in large quantities and used in the tissues of the nervous system, the lens of the eye, tear and seminal fluid. It can be synthesized in the body from glucose (calorizer). It is resistant to acids and alkalis, but when heated, B8 quickly collapses.
Food Sources of Vitamin B8
Brewer's yeast, wheat bran, wheat germ, beef heart, oranges, green peas, brains, bread made from regular flour, raisins, wild rice, gooseberries, melon, cabbage, carrots, citrus fruits are very high in inositol content.
Daily requirement for vitamin B8
The daily requirement for vitamin B8 for an adult is 1-1.5 g per day, for children 100-500 mg. There is no established upper tolerable intake level for the vitamin.
Beneficial properties of vitamin B8
Inositol stimulates brain activity, improves concentration, stimulates mental activity, reduces brain fatigue, and increases its ability to remember information.
Inositol is involved in the metabolism of fats in the body, improves the transmission of nerve impulses, and helps maintain a healthy liver, skin and hair.
Vitamin B8 is an essential element for hair, helping to strengthen and restore hair structure, preventing hair loss. This vitamin is included in many cosmetic products for skin and hair. Inositol regulates gas exchange in the skin, which helps maintain hair moisture.
Vitamin B8 reduces cholesterol in the blood, prevents fragility of the walls of blood vessels, and regulates the motor activity of the stomach and intestines. It has a calming effect.
Inositol, like other vitamins in this group, actively affects the functioning of the reproductive system. Affects the reproductive functions of both sexes. Without this substance, not a single egg cell divides and fertilization does not occur.
Harmful properties of vitamin B8
In rare cases, allergic reactions may occur when taking large doses of vitamin B8.
Vitamin B8 absorption
Vitamin B8 is best absorbed in the presence of vitamin E and other B vitamins in the body (calorizator). Inositol also interacts well with vitamin B4 with the subsequent formation of lecithin.
Vitamin B8 deficiency in the body
Its deficiency can lead to disruption of many processes in the body.
Signs of vitamin B8 deficiency:
- constipation;
- increased irritability;
- insomnia;
- skin diseases;
- baldness;
- growth arrest;
- circulatory disorders;
- vision weakens.
The absence or deficiency of vitamin B8 in a person's diet, like any other vitamin in this group, can render the presence of other B vitamins useless.
Excess vitamin B8 in the body
Hypervitaminosis of vitamin B8 is practically impossible, since the body constantly requires large amounts of inositol. In rare cases of overdose, allergic reactions may develop.
Interaction of vitamin B8 (Inositol, inositol, inositdroretinol) with other substances
Inositol combines with choline to form lecithin. Alcohol and caffeine found in tea and coffee destroy inositol.
Vitamin B8 together with choline (vitamin B4) enhance the effectiveness of the physiological action of vitamin E.
About the human need for vitamins, watch the video “Organic Chemistry. Human need for vitamins"
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Pharmacological action[edit | edit code]
When administered intravenously to a person in a dose of 1-2 g, inositol has no visible effect on physiological functions. The physiological role of inositol is somewhat similar to that of choline. As part of phosphatidylinositol, inositol is part of the phospholipids of cell membranes and plasma lipoproteins. Under the influence of many hormones, paracrine factors and mediators, membrane phospholipids release polyphosphorylated inositol derivatives. One of these derivatives, IP3, acts as a second messenger, stimulating the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.
Need[edit | edit code]
The need for the presence of inositol in human food remains unproven, probably because it is produced by intestinal bacteria, persists in tissues for a long time after absorption, and can be synthesized de novo in some organs. However, this substance is found in high concentrations in human milk. It is possible that, like choline, it should be added to infant formulas to bring their composition closer to the composition of human milk (Committee on Nutrition, The American Academy of Pediatrics, 1993).
Food sources[edit | edit code]
Normal inositol intake is approximately 1 g/day, mainly from fruits and plant foods. Inositol is found in coarse grains in the form of hexaphosphate - phytin. In this form, it is partially absorbed because it is hydrolyzed in the intestinal mucosa. Inositol is also present in vegetables and animal products, but in different forms. Absorption, exchange and excretion. Inositol is quickly absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract. It is easily converted into glucose. Inositol prevents fasting hypoglycemia, but is about three times weaker than glucose. The normal concentration of inositol in plasma is about 5 mg/L (28 µmol/L). Its levels are particularly high in cardiac muscle, brain and skeletal muscle (1.6, 0.9 and 0.4 g/100 g dry weight, respectively). The inositol content in urine is low, but in diabetes mellitus in humans and animals it increases sharply, probably due to competition between inositol and glucose for reabsorption in the renal tubules.
Application.
Inositol has been used for diseases involving disorders of fat transport and metabolism, although there is no convincing evidence of its effectiveness. In diabetes mellitus, the nerves of animals and humans have an increased content of free sugars and a decreased content of myo-inositol; The incorporation of myo-inositol into the phospholipids of nerve cells is also impaired, but the effectiveness of treatment with myo-inositol in diabetic neuropathy remains unclear. New evidence points to the role of inositol deficiency in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome. Administration of D-chiroinositol to such patients increased insulin sensitivity and decreased levels of triglycerides and androgens in the blood (Nestler et al., 1999).
Inositol
General information
History of discovery
The first mention of this chemical compound dates back to the middle of the 19th century.
According to some sources, the discoverer was the German chemist Justus von Liebig (1848), but more often they say that the compound was discovered by the German chemist and physician Johann Joseph Scherer (1850). A new substance was discovered in muscle fibers. That is why it was given the name “inositol”, which comes from the Greek “inos” - “fiber”. Since the chemical structure of inositol is extremely similar to carbohydrates, at first the name “muscle sugar” was assigned to the compound. Only at the beginning of the 20th century. the substance was given the status of vitamin B8.
Physicochemical characteristics
Inositol (inositol, vitamin B8, cyclohexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol) is a hexahydric alcohol of cyclohexane (C6H12O6). White powdery crystalline substance, odorless, with a sweetish taste. It dissolves well in water, poorly in alcohols, and is practically insoluble in organic solvents. Does not deteriorate when exposed to air or direct sunlight. Non-hygroscopic. Stable at room temperature, destroyed when heated.
In nature, inositol is represented by nine stereoisomers (spatial configurations), the most common form with biological activity is myoinositol.
Metabolism
About 3/4 of the daily requirement of inositol is synthesized by the body itself, therefore inositol is classified as a vitamin-like substance.
Vitamin B8 can be synthesized in the body from glucose by enzymatic phosphorylation. The heart, liver and kidneys actively produce inositol, which is subsequently transported to all cells and tissues. Human blood contains at least 4.5 mcg/ml vitamin B8. The tissues of the nervous system, the lens, the back wall of the eye and the tear fluid are especially rich in inositol.
Sources
Inositol is found in all products of animal and plant origin, especially in liver, brain, meat, egg yolk, as well as in bread, potatoes, green peas, mushrooms, oranges, green peas, raisins, wild rice, gooseberries, melon, cabbage , carrots, citrus fruits.
Functions in the body
Inositol has been called the "elixir of youth" because... it helps support metabolic processes and protects against aging at the cellular level.
Inositol is part of the plasma membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol and its phosphorylated derivatives, which are found in all tissues, nervous tissue is especially rich in them. Phosphorylated forms of inositol are intermediaries in the action of a number of hormones. It promotes the release of calcium ions from its intracellular stores.
Inositol is necessary for a number of systems:
- Vascular system: participates in the regulation of fat metabolism, helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, improves blood rheology, which prevents the formation of blood clots, and also promotes the elasticity of arterial walls.
- Nervous system: improves the transmission of nerve signals, necessary for the proper development and functioning of spinal cord cells.
- Mental activity: by participating in signal transmission processes, it helps improve concentration and memory ability.
- Growth: By normalizing hormonal signaling, it promotes bone growth and muscle mass.
- Reproductive system: necessary for the reproduction of sperm, participates in the division of the egg.
- Vision: improves the condition of the visual system and prevents eye fatigue and visual impairment.
Consumption standards
The daily requirement for vitamin B8 for an adult is 1-1.5 g per day, for children 100-500 mg. There is no established upper tolerable intake level for the vitamin.
Symptoms of deficiency
Inositol deficiency in animals is manifested by fatty liver, baldness and anemia, and growth retardation in young animals.
Symptoms of inositol deficiency in humans are stress, insomnia, high cholesterol in the blood, impaired vision, skin rashes, and hair loss. Vitamin B8 deficiency can lead to infertility in both sexes.
Indications for use
Inositol is used as part of complex therapy for the following conditions:
- diabetes;
- asthenia, increased mental and physical stress, mental disorders (panic attacks, depression, etc.), Alzheimer's disease, sleep disorders, insomnia,
- visual impairment associated with reduced retinal nutrition;
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, autism;
- liver disease and cholelithiasis, gastrointestinal tract disorders (including reduced peristalsis and constipation);
- hypertension and circulatory disorders, atherosclerosis;
- dermatological diseases (including eczema and psoriasis, alopecia (baldness), hair problems.
- disorders of the gonads, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome.
- overweight and obesity.
Safety (tolerability of various forms, symptoms of hypervitaminosis)
For most people, taking inositol does not cause any side effects. However, some people who take this substance in a volume of more than 12 g per day may experience the following side effects: nausea, sleep disturbances, headaches, increased fatigue, increased gas formation.
Contraindications
Individual intolerance.
Features of reception and interaction
Reduce the production and absorption of inositol: caffeine, tea, alcohol, antibiotics, estrogen drugs.
