Vitamin B8 (inositol): what it is, properties, sources and instructions for use

Inositol in 1928 was assigned to the B vitamins and received the serial number 8. Therefore, it is called vitamin B8. In terms of chemical structure, it is a white, sweetish-tasting crystalline powder that dissolves well in water, but collapses under the influence of high temperatures.

The highest concentration of inositol was found in the cells of the brain, nervous and cardiovascular systems, as well as in the lens of the eye, plasma and seminal fluid.

Action on the body

Vitamin B8 plays an important role in metabolism, including the assimilation and synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Inositol makes a beneficial contribution to all processes in the body:

1. controls cholesterol levels, preventing the formation of stagnation in blood vessels and preventing the formation of plaque;
2. restores neurons and neuromodulators, which contributes to the normalization of the nervous system and accelerates the transmission of impulses from the central nervous system to the peripheral;
3. activates the activity of the brain, strengthens memory, increases concentration;
4. strengthens the protective properties of the cell membrane;
5. normalizes sleep;
6. suppresses depressive manifestations;
7. optimizes lipid metabolism, which helps burn body fat and fight overweight;
8. nourishes and moisturizes the epidermis, improving the permeability of nutrients;
9. strengthens hair follicles and improves hair condition;
10. helps to normalize blood pressure.

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Daily intake (instructions for use)

It should be understood that the recommended intake rate is a relative concept, it fits the average representative of his age category. With various diseases, age-related changes, physical exertion, the characteristics of life and diet, these indicators may change. So, for example, for athletes with intense daily training, 1000 mg per day may not be enough.

Content in food

The maximum concentration of the vitamin taken with food can be achieved only by excluding heat treatment of food, otherwise, inositol is destroyed.

Among the animal products, which contain vitamin B8, you can list eggs, some fish, beef liver, chicken meat. However, these products cannot be consumed raw, and the vitamin will decompose when cooked.

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Vitamin deficiency

An unhealthy lifestyle, an unbalanced diet, snacks on the go, constant stress, regular sports training and age-related changes - all this contributes to the excretion of vitamin from the body and leads to its deficiency, the symptoms of which may be:

• sleep disturbance;
• deterioration of hair and nails;
• decreased visual acuity;
• feeling of chronic fatigue;
• disturbance in the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
• increased nervous irritability;
• skin rashes.

Vitamin B8 for athletes

Inositol is more intensively consumed and excreted from the body faster if a person regularly plays sports. With food, it may not be sufficient, especially if specialized diets are followed. Therefore, it is necessary to compensate for the lack of vitamin by taking specially formulated dietary supplements.

Inositol speeds up the metabolism by starting the process of cellular renewal. This property of the vitamin helps to efficiently use internal resources and avoid the formation of fatty deposits.

Vitamin B8 plays an important role in the restoration of cartilage and articular tissues, increasing the level of absorption of chondroprotectors and improving the nutrition of the fluid of the joint capsule, which, in turn, supplies the cartilage with nutrients.

Inositol helps the body recover after exercise by normalizing energy metabolism. It increases the elasticity of the blood vessel walls, which allows a large volume of blood flow to pass through without damage, which increases significantly during exercise.

Tips for choosing supplements

The vitamin can be purchased in powder form or in tablet (capsule) form. It is much more convenient to take the capsule, the required dosage for an adult is already calculated in it. But the powder is convenient for those who have the whole family (i.e. people of different ages) taking the supplement.

You can buy dietary supplements in ampoules, but they are usually used in case of emergency recovery, for example, after sports injuries, and contain additional analgesic and anti-inflammatory components.

Inositol supplements may contain additional vitamins and minerals, which are enhanced by co-administration.

Vitamin B8 Supplements

Name	Manufacturer	Packing volume	Dosage, mg	Daily intake	Price, rubles	Packing photo
Capsules
Myo-Inositol for women	Fairhaven Health	120 pcs.	500	4 capsules	1579
Inositol Capsules	Now Foods	100 pieces.	500	1 tablet	500
Inositol	Jarrow Formulas	100 pieces.	750	1 capsule	1000
Inositol 500 mg	Nature's Way	100 pieces.	500	1 tablet	800
Inositol 500 mg	Solgar	100 pieces.	500	1	1000
Powder
Inositol Powder	Healthy origins	454 BC	600 mg.	Quarter teaspoon	2000
Inositol Powder Cellular Health	Now Foods	454 BC	730	Quarter teaspoon	1500
Pure Inositol Powder	Source Naturals	226.8 g.	845	Quarter teaspoon	3000
Combined supplements (capsules and powder)
IP6 Gold	IP-6 International.	240 capsules	220	2-4 pcs.	3000
IP-6 & Inositol	Enzymatic Therapy	240 capsules	220	2 pcs.	3000
IP-6 & Inositol Ultra Strength Powder	Enzymatic Therapy	414 gram	880	1 scoop	3500

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