Posted by Larry Hoover on December 18, 2004, at 9:50:40
In reply to (Unusual) Inositol Questions, posted by Questionmark on December 17, 2004, at 18:43:36
> Okay. So i used to take bulk inositol before i ran out-- it varied a lot but generally around 5 to 8 g per day.
> First of all, anyone who has constipation problems, get inositol-- even if you don't need or want it for its neurological benefits. Inositol was a horribly potent laxative for me. In fact, this the only side effect i experienced: gas and diarrhea (sorry to be blunt)-- and decreased appetite i think, though it may have been an indirect result of all the freaking gas i had. But anyway, these side effects alone were enough to make me sick of taking the stuff! So, questions...Did you take inositol on an empty stomach? Perhaps with a large meal would be best. 5-8 grams is what, about two teaspoons? There's four times the sugar in a can of soda, or a glass of juice.
> 1A) Is there anyway to counteract or reduce this terribly bothersome effect of inositol?
If simultaneous food intake doesn't help, I dunno.
> 1B) More importantly, i'm concerned about this effect having negative consequences on my absorption of medications and nutrients. Is this a legitimate concern? Cuz if so, then i don't think the supplement is worth it. Anyone? Comments?
Yes, recurrent diarrhea can have an impact. It really depends on both degree and duration, though. It's a continuum, not a threshold. Your gut feeling (sorry, really) on the magnitude of the impact is a reasonable guide.
> i was also curious about the fact that inositol is so sweet and an isomer of glucose.
> 2) Do you know if it has any caloric value or whatever? It doesn't does it? If it did i'd be worried about the major hypoglycemic effects it could produce. i wouldn't want to ingest nearly as much sugar as i do inositol when i'm taking it.It has an equivalent caloric impact, gram per gram, as does table sugar. I do not know if it causes a glycemic reaction, though. I don't believe it does.
As I mentioned earlier, there's substantial sugar in many common beverages, so you're really not manipulating calorie intake as much as you might think.
> 3) Finally (if i do decide to have a trial with this stuff again), does it absorb well from any normal means of ingesting it? If not which way is best to take it to allow max. absorption?I think it diffuses across the gut wall without any assistance. The presence of gas suggests your symbiotic gut critters are fermenting the stuff. I'll look into this further.
> i know these are questions that no one probably knows off the top of their head. But if anyone can shed any light on them i'd be highly appreciative. Thanks.I don't know if I helped or not.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:431004
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20041212/msgs/431194.html