Health And Nutrition: Inositol Benefits And Risks

Since there are several different vitamins our body requires to maintain a healthy system, each one needs to be looked at individually.

One of the vitamins we will take a further look at is the B complex vitamins. One of the facts known about the B vitamins are that they are water soluble and therefore, not stored in the body .There are several B vitamins contained in the B complex vitamin group and they are as follows, Thiamine- vitamin B1, Riboflavin,-vitamin B2, Niacin-vitamin B3, Panothenic acid-B5, Pyridoxin-B6, Biotin-B7, Cobalamin-B12, Folic acid, and not to exclude, Paba, Choline, and Inositol, which are also included as part of the vitamin B group.

Inositol is a B vitamin that needs to be examined more closely as to the benefits and risks it poses. Inositol has a very important function as it is required in the formation of Lecithin, which protects cells from oxidation and is an important factor in the building of cell membranes. Inositol, also has a metabolic effect in preventing too much of fats to be stored in the liver, which is why it is called a lipotropic and is a vital part in maintaining good health.

Let's begin with the risks of Inositol. Although there are no known toxicity levels for Inositol, monitoring the high and low levels can be extremely beneficial in determining the benefits and risks.

When the levels of Inositol are extremely low, several detrimental health conditions can occur, such as, hair loss, diabetic changes, and possible anxiety and depression disorders.Low levels of Inositol have also been linked in eventually leading to high blood cholesterol levels which in turn, raises your chances of getting heart disease.

On the other side, many studies have been conducted to see just how beneficial Inositol actually is in controlling depression, since the B vitamins are an important part to a healthy nervous system. The result of different studies has proven Inositol to have a very positive effect. Often, people who are prone to depression are found to have lower levels of Inositol than the normal amount. Inositol also aids serotonin, a neurotransmitter, found to be important also when fighting depression.

There are several great food sources that can provide you with an adequate source of this B complex vitamin. Here are some of the more readily available food sources: Fruits; like oranges, grapefruit, and cantaloupe, soybeans, nuts, raisins, and eggs.

Inositol seems to be in large quantities in dietary fiber, which is turning research to examine the effects of Inositol as a possible anti-cancer fighting agent as well. High fiber diets are liked to lower occurrences in certain types of cancer, which is why all possible substances included in dietary fiber are closely examined.

As you can see, vitamins are an important part of your overall health, benefiting both your physical and emotional needs.

Always be aware of any potential risks associated with the misuse of any vitamin overload. Also, keep in mind the negative effects caused by a lack of an inadequate amount of vitamins your body needs to maintain good overall health.