Inositol, one of the B-complex vitamins, is closely associated with vitamin B6, choline, biotin, pantothenic acid, PABA, and folic acid. Inositol is a component of phospholipids in animal tissue and phytic acid in plant cells. Inositol, like choline, helps move fats out of the liver. Inositol is needed for health at cellular level and a fair concentration is found in the lens of the human eye as well as the heart.

Inositol is converted to glucose by the intestinal flora in the large intestine. Inositol is essential in promoting the production of lecithin. Inositol is stored in the liver, spinal cord nerves, and in the brain and cerebral spinal fluid. Lipotropic effect helps in the metabolism of fats. Inositol and choline have an anti-arteriosclerotic, anti-atherogenic effect.

Inositol plays an important part in the health of cell membranes especially the specialized cells in the brain, bone marrow, eyes and intestines. The function of the cell membranes is to regulate the contents of the cells, which makes effective functioning possible. Inositol is said to promote healthy hair, hair growth, and helps in controlling estrogen levels and may assist in preventing breast lumps. It may also be of benefit in reducing blood cholesterol levels.

Risks for low inositol are diabetics, heavy stress, high protein or low calorie diet, antibiotics, eczema, constipation, abnormalities of the eyes, hair loss, and high blood cholesterol.

Taking of long term antibiotics may increase your need for inositol, as well as if you consume a lot of coffee. Coffee kills this nutrient.

Inositol is available from both plant and animal sources. The plant form in which inositol is available is phytic acid, which can bind with minerals and so affect their absorption negatively. The body is also able to manufacture this factor. Inositol is available from wheat germ, brewer's yeast. bananas, liver, brown rice, oat flakes, nuts, unrefined molasses, raisins and vegetables.