Inositol-A cyclic sugar alcohol (fully hydroxylated derivative of cyclohexane). Inositol occurs naturally in different stereoisomers, especially the myo-isomer. Used alone, the term inositol usually denotes this isomer (form).

Myo-inositol-The myo-isomer of inositol. This isomer occurs in many plant and animal tissues and microorganisms, and is usually phosphorylated and a component of phosphatidylinositols. Myo-inositol is part of the B complex vitamins. Myo-inositol is a component of several substances in the human. 1,4,5-triphosphate (InsP₃, IP₃), is a messenger generated from the splitting of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bishphosphate in calcium-mediated hormone responses. InsP₃ causes the release of calcium from specialized intracellular organelles.

Dietary inositol also serves as a precursor for the intracellular synthesis of glucoronic acid. Glucuronic acid is a required portion of glycosaminoglycans, which are water attracting substances in connective tissues. Glucuronic acid is also necessary for detoxification reactions of insoluble compounds such as bilirubin and some steroids.

Sources of inositol

Good sources of myo-inositol can be obtained from vegetables, citrus fruits, cereal grains, organs and other meats.