• Helps to restore normal blood sugar levels
• Beneficial for hair and nails
• Supports hormonal balance
• Enhances insulin sensitivity
• Helps to deal with stress
• Helps to combat PCOS
• Lipotropic properties
• Natural ingredients
• Mood stabilisation

Swanson D-Chiro-Inositol is a dietary supplement containing a patented complex Chirositol®, obtained from the carob tree, containing inositol in the form of D-chiro-inositol (DCI) and manganese. One serving contains 85 g of DCI. The preparation helps to restore hormonal balance and proper sugar management.

D-Chiro-inositol is one of the biologically active forms of inositol. Another common form is myoinositol, whose main source is food. To some degree, it can be transformed into DCI by the organism. The ratio of myoinositol and DCI varies depending on the tissue. The epimerisation of myoinositol to DCI takes places primarily in insulin-sensitive tissues, such as the muscles. The transformation has been observed to be significantly reduced in patients with type 2 diabetes and the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Inositol is a glucose derivative; it used to be considered one of the B vitamins but is now viewed as a vitamin-like compound. Its main biochemical function is enabling the synthesis of inositol triphosphate (IP3), that is a second messenger whose effect on calcium ions allows the transmission of signals inside cells in response to the activation of specific receptors. That way inositol participates in, for example, insulin signal transmission.

Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are conditions with a negative effect on health. They contribute to the occurrence of abdominal obesity (insulin is the strongest anabolic hormone), dyslipidaemia, inflammation, and hormonal disorders. In the case of women, insulin management disorders are connected with the polycystic ovary syndrome. In men, on the other hand, a consequence is increased action of aromatase, the enzyme converting androgens to oestrogens, resulting in lower testosterone levels.

Inositol helps to enhance insulin sensitivity in tissues. As an intracellular insulin signal transmitter, inositol contributes to a reduction of insulin resistance, an increase of the sensitivity of receptors to its activity in tissues, and an improvement of glucose tolerance. Moreover, there are multiple academic texts indicating that reduced D-chiro-inositol levels can be observed in patients with type 2 diabetes, that is the type connected with insulin resistance.

Inositol is of great help in PCOS and fertility disorders. Insulin resistance is closely related to PCOS – it is observed in about 80% of patients with PCOS and overweight, and in about 40% of patients with PCOS and normal body weight. Hyperinsulinemia stimulates the production of androgens in the ovaries, which leads to hyperandrogenism (with symptoms like hirsutism, acne) and lack of ovulation. It has been demonstrated that one of the reasons of insulin resistance in hyperinsulinemia can be disorders in the second messenger system caused by improper inositol metabolism. The substance is also helpful in restoring normal menstrual cycle, whose disorders are observed in PCOS.

Inositol has a beneficial effect on the health of the circulatory system. Inositol can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. It exhibits lipotropic activity. It affects lipid metabolism, preventing the accumulation in arterial walls and organs, especially the liver, protecting it from excessive fat deposition. Inositol can also reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Manganese is a microelement. In the human organism, its main function is being a component or an activator of many enzymes. Manganese supports the carbohydrate management-enhancing action of inositol. Manganese deficiency has been demonstrated to occur in people with carbohydrate and fat metabolism problems.

Manganese supports the health of the musculoskeletal system. Tests on animals have shown that manganese deficiency has a negative effect on bones and connective tissue – a reduced production of, for example, chondroitin sulphate and hyaluronic acid were observed. Moreover, low concentrations of the element can be observed in people suffering from osteoporosis.

In summary, Swanson D-Chiro-Inositol is a dietary supplement recommended for restoring hormonal and carbohydrate balance; it can help with insulin resistance, PCOS, stress and emotional tension, and fertility issues.