Inositol: the natural alternative to Metformin in PCOS treatment
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Inositol: the natural alternative to Metformin in PCOS treatment
If you are struggling with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), you know that the symptoms can be extremely disruptive to everyday life. You might be feeling frustrated with stubborn weight, excess hair growth on the chin, or thinning hair on the head. Maybe your period is irregular, with heavy bleeding or absent for many months at a time. Maybe you would like to get pregnant, but you have not seen your period in a long time.
Many of the frustrating symptoms in PCOS are related to the relationship between two hormones; testosterone, and insulin. In PCOS, the cells of the body become resistant to insulin, a hormone that tells cells to take sugar from the blood and store it or turn it into energy. When the cells stop responding to insulin, the body will produce more and more insulin to get the message across. High levels of insulin in the blood signals the storage of fat, especially in the abdomen. It also causes the ovaries to make more testosterone, which leads to symptoms like excess hair growth on the chin, loss of hair on the head, or stubborn acne, especially on the jawline. It can also lead to irregular or absent periods.
One of the main goals of PCOS treatment is to reduce levels of insulin in the body, thus reducing the symptoms caused by excess insulin and resulting excess testosterone.
Metformin in PCOS: the standard of care
If you have seen your doctor for PCOS treatment, you were more than likely prescribed metformin. Metformin is a medication that lowers insulin in the body by reducing the amount of sugar that is circulating in the blood. It does this by several mechanisms including reducing the amount of sugar that your intestines can absorb from food, and reducing the amount of new sugar that your liver can make.1 Using Metformin in PCOS has a good track record for lowering glucose and insulin, and for that reason, it is the standard of care.
However, many women find that Metformin comes with unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or muscle pain. Still others report a general sense of feeling unwell while taking Metformin. It’s possible that this general malaise is due to the fact that metformin prevents the body from absorbing vitamin B1 (thiamine)2 and vitamin B12,3 two vitamins that are essential for energy production in every cell of the body. If you dislike the way you feel taking Metformin, or want to see if you can manage your PCOS symptoms without medication, read on the learn about Inositol, on of the best natural alternative to Metformin in PCOS treatment.
Inositol; the natural alternative to Metformin in PCOS treatment
Inositol is a form of sugar that influences the way the body responds to insulin. It makes the cells of the body more sensitive to the signals from insulin, reducing the overall amount of insulin needed. Inositol is found in small amounts in some foods such as beans, brown rice, and sesame seeds, but can also be taken as a supplement in higher doses.
When inositol is taken for PCOS, it is as effective as Metformin at improving symptoms, and carries none of the risk for side effects. In a study of PCOS women treated with either Metformin or Inositol for 6 months, there was no difference between the groups on measures of insulin sensitivity, reduction in BMI (body mass index), and normalization of menstrual cycle length and regularity. In the study, 3 participants dropped out of the metformin group due to unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms, whereas no participants in the Inositol group reported gastrointestinal side effects.4
It is important to note that Inositol comes in many forms and must be taken properly to work in PCOS. The best form of Inositol for PCOS is a blend of Myo-Inositol and D-chiro inositol in a 40:1 ratio. This is the ratio that best mimics what is already present in the body. Studies with the best outcomes for PCOS dosed inositol at 2 grams, twice daily. Look for a product that contains only Inositol and not other vitamins or substances, which can inhibit the absorption of inositol, making it less effective.5
If you have been looking for a natural alternative to Metformin in PCOS treatment, Inositol is a safe and effective option. You can find high quality Inositol supplements at a reduced price in the Revolution Women’s Health FullScript Supplement Center.
1. Pernicova, I. & Korbonits, M. Metformin—mode of action and clinical implications for diabetes and cancer. Nat Rev Endocrinol 10, 143–156 (2014).
2. Liang, X. et al. Metformin Is a Substrate and Inhibitor of the Human Thiamine Transporter, THTR2 (SLC19A3). Mol Pharmaceut 12, 4301–4310 (2015).
3. Aroda, V. R. et al. Long-term Metformin Use and Vitamin B12 Deficiency in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metabolism 101, 1754–1761 (2016).
4. Fruzzetti, F., Perini, D., Russo, M., Bucci, F. & Gadducci, A. Comparison of two insulin sensitizers, metformin and myo-inositol, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Gynecol Endocrinol 33, 1–4 (2016).
5. Roseff, S. & Montenegro, M. Inositol Treatment for PCOS Should Be Science-Based and Not Arbitrary. Int J Endocrinol 2020, 6461254 (2020).