Inositol

Source: Yahoo! Health, Healthpoint Technologies 2004

Introduction
Inositol is a water-soluble vitamin that is important for forming cell membranes and other structures in the body.

About
Inositol is very closely related to glucose in its chemical structure. Inositol is involved in the transport and metabolism of fats and is vital for the formation of the highly specialized cell membranes that surround all the body cells. Inositol is essential for helping the cells in the body communicate with one another, a process known as cell signalling. It is involved in cellular responses to the actions of certain body hormones and chemicals that are released from nerves, called neurotransmitters. Inositol is available from a variety of foods but is also produced by the bacteria that live in the intestines and absorbed by the body. Alterations in Inositol levels occur in nerves damaged by diabetic neuropathy and experiments are currently looking at altering the levels of Inositol and other chemicals to reduce nerve damage in diabetes.