Evidence supporting the use of: Inositol
For the health condition: Bulimia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Inositol, a naturally occurring carbocyclic sugar, has been investigated for its potential benefits in mental health disorders, including eating disorders like bulimia nervosa. The scientific justification for its use comes primarily from a handful of small clinical studies and its known role in neurotransmitter signaling. Inositol is a precursor for phosphatidylinositol, which is involved in the phosphoinositide signaling pathway—a pathway implicated in mood regulation and psychiatric conditions. The most notable evidence comes from a double-blind, controlled trial published in the American Journal of Psychiatry (1995), where inositol supplementation (18g/day) was compared to placebo in patients with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. The study found that inositol significantly reduced the frequency of bingeing and purging episodes compared to placebo. These effects are hypothesized to be related to inositol’s influence on serotonin and other neurotransmitter systems, which are often dysregulated in bulimia. However, the overall body of evidence remains limited; most studies are small, short-term, and there is a lack of large-scale replication. Systematic reviews highlight the need for more robust trials before inositol can be widely recommended. Nonetheless, current research suggests some scientific rationale and preliminary efficacy for inositol as an adjunctive treatment in bulimia, particularly for patients who may not tolerate standard pharmacologic therapies.

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