Large amounts of inositol have been found in breast milk. Therefore, the American Association of Nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends inositol (as well as choline) in all nutrient combinations for children.
The best natural sources: whole grain cereals (corn, rice, barley), beans, peas.
Inositol is slowly absorbed from the digestive tract. It is rapidly metabolized to glucose. Its concentration is increased in the heart muscle, brain and skeletal muscle. Only small amounts of inositol occur in the urine, but in diabetics the amount increases significantly (100 years ago inositol was first isolated from the urine of diabetics). Loss is probably, at least in part, responsible for diabetic neuropathy, the painful destruction of nerves in the arms and legs, which does not occur with good blood sugar control. Vitamin C is also an important supplement in therapy because it prevents the original loss of inositol.
Dr. Atkins recommends it instead of potentially harmful sedatives and sleeping pills because inositol relaxes nervous tension and consequently promotes better sleep. Today, it is produced synthetically, and the largest producer of inositol from rice is Japan.
