myoinositol
Meaning of myoinositol: Myoinositol is a sugar alcohol the body makes and obtains from food, often marketed as vitamin B8 despite not meeting the definition of a vitamin.
Definition of myoinositol
Myoinositol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that the body both produces on its own and obtains from food sources such as beans, whole grains, and citrus fruits. It shares the same chemical formula as glucose but has a different arrangement of atoms, and it is best known as a building block of phosphatidylinositol, a molecule embedded in cell membranes that helps cells respond to hormonal and chemical signals from their environment.
Because the body can synthesize myoinositol on its own and it is not required in the diet the way a true vitamin is, myoinositol does not meet the formal definition of a vitamin, even though it is sometimes informally labeled vitamin B8 in supplement marketing.
Myoinositol is sold as a dietary supplement and has been studied particularly for its potential role in conditions involving insulin regulation, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, though evidence for its broader claimed benefits varies in strength across different uses. It is also called inositol.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
The patient reported taking a myoinositol supplement in addition to dietary changes.
Good to know
Myoinositol is frequently marketed under the informal name vitamin B8, though it does not meet the criteria for an essential vitamin since the body can manufacture its own supply.