Inositol is a naturally occurring nutrient. It is found in the phospholipids of many animal cells, where it serves purposes of cellular growth and metabolic regulation. While it is a vital factor in the growth of rodents, it does not occur naturally in high concentrations in the human body. Some studies have suggested that an inositol supplement can have a wide range of benefits for humans. However, only anecdotal evidence exists to suggest it can help you lower your blood pressure.
Inositol Benefits
Studies conducted at the University of the Negev in Israel, as well as other institutions around the world, have suggested that inositol has benefits in treating all manner of medical conditions. It seems especially effective in treating psychological conditions. Studies showed improvement in subjects with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and various panic disorders when taking inositol. Inositol was also shown to be beneficial for patients with psoriasis, and some improvement was shown in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and lung cancer as well.
It is recommended that patients begin on a 500 mg per day dosage of inositol, though participants in the studies took doses ranging from 100 mg to 18 g per day.
Anecdotal Evidence
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a potentially dangerous condition that increases the risk of heart disease in its sufferers. While no scientific studies on the subject exist, there is anecdotal evidence that inositol can help lower blood pressure. Most of this evidence is found on informal sources, such as blogs and websites of inositol supplement purveyors. Many people in these forums report an observed decrease in blood pressure after taking inositol. It's possible that this can be explained by inositol's anti-anxiety effects: stress and panic disorders can cause an increase in blood pressure, and if inositol helps alleviate these psychological conditions, it may help lower blood pressure as a result.
High Blood Pressure
Despite the many clinical studies indicating inositol's various benefits, and the suggestions derived from anecdotal evidence of its benefits in this area, it's important to remember that there is no clinical evidence that inositol can help lower blood pressure. There are few known negative side effects from inositol, so it can't hurt to take a low dose of it. But if you suffer from hypertension, you should also pursue more traditional treatment methods to prevent increasing your risk of heart failure. Be sure to eat a healthy diet: limit your intake of unhealthy saturated and trans fats; get your protein from lean meat sources like chicken, fish and egg whites; and eat more fruits and vegetables. Also, don't drink or smoke cigarettes, as these are known factors in increasing blood pressure. Do your best to get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per day, and if your blood pressure doesn't improve after all these steps, discuss a prescription medication with your doctor.
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