What is inositol and how is D-chiro-inositol different?

The word "inositol" refers to a family of closely related substances and often refers to the most common available form, myo-inositol.

D-chiro-inositol is a very special member of that family. The body needs DCI when responding to insulin, and DCI is difficult to get from diet. Therefore, the human body has to make DCI. Some people's bodies are not efficient at making DCI.

What are pinitol and myo-inositol?

These are other forms of inositol. Like DCI, they myo is important for insulin response. But unlike DCI, both of these forms of inositol are fairly easy to get from diet.

Which brings us to the question of which inositol is right for me?

Think of impaired conversion of myo-inositol to D-chiro-inositol as a spectrum.

Some people make the conversion efficiently, and some don't at all - for various reasons.

And, as part of the human tapestry, there would be everything in between as well:

• Along this spectrum, people who are completely unable to convert myo-inositol to D-chiro-inositol are only going to benefit from supplementation with D-chiro-inositol (1200 mg daily).
  
  
• Other people who make the conversion, but with less than optimal efficiency, may benefit from large doses of myo-inositol (4000 mg daily).
  
  
• And, folks in between, might see the best results from a blend of the two.