Which inositol is right for me? Myo or DCI?
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, and they can develop symptoms of insulin resistance and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) as a result.
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 women make the conversion efficiently, and they have no symptoms of PCOS.
Others may make the conversion with some degree of efficiency, but not quite enough to have an optimal MYO/DCI ratio. Their symptoms may be mild.
At the other end of the spectrum, some people would be completely unable to make this conversion, and they would consequently present with the most severe symptoms.
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. Which explains women who have found benefits with the 40:1 Ratio.
Interestingly, clinical trials have shown that large doses of myo-inositol benefit women with PCOS & smaller doses of D-chiro-inositol benefit women with PCOS also. Then it just comes down to if you want to take large scoops of powder (myo) or 2 capsules (DCI) daily.
You can read more about the important differences between myo inositol and DCI, as well as thoughts on the combined therapy of myo and DCI, in the following two articles: