Sometimes, for no reason, we feel happy and ecstatic. We go on about our day doing things, spreading happiness among our kith and kin, why even strangers!! Let us take a brief look at the reasons that make us happy… And, since we are going to be discussing about the reasons that make us happy, let us take a sneak-peek into the world of Inositol and its benefits.
Inositol is a potent chemical with many benefits: it can help to heal depression, stress, anxiety and compulsive disorders without the side effects commonly found in medications. Inositol can be found in different foods such as fruits, nuts, grains. Some of the common fruits where Inositol is found, are: Cantaloupes, and citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, and grapefruit. That probably is the reason why, after we have a little bit of these fruits, we start feeling really happy.
What Are Inositols?
Have you ever wondered why, after consuming certain foods, you start to feel happy, for no reason? Yes, you must have wondered: “Why am I feeling so happy and ecstatic, just like that? I just ate a grape fruit. But that does not mean I should be jumping with joy”!! This is a very common phenomena and is because of the presence of Inositols or Myo-inositols. Inositols are a very intense compound or chemical, that occur in Nature. The benefits of consuming Inositol far outweigh any other aspect of this compound. Plus, there are no known counter-effects. Everything that the body requires is available in the lap of Nature itself.
Let us read this post on the benefits of neem and turmeric, to get an idea that natural food contain chemicals that can help us, in more ways than one! Also, certain herbs and spices can even help us open and balance our chakras.
In Short:
We discuss the new areas that introduce us to this ubiquitous, but extremely potent chemical, Inositol, which has the power to heal traumas related to depression, stress, anxiety and compulsive disorders, without showing its ugly side- the side effects. Plus, we introduce you to a whole lot of benefits of consuming food containing Inositol.
While you take time to read this article, it would do a lot of good to take a look at a few of our other pages that deal with medications and drugs, and the counter-effects they might have on us and our yoga practice.
Defining Inositol Chemically
Inositols are sugar-like compounds that are widely distributed in nature and are a part of membrane molecules. They are also called Myo-Inositol. Myo-inositol imbalance exists in psychiatric diseases and its use shows efficacy for treatment of depression, anxiety, and compulsive disorders. As per some words of a few psychiatrists, Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive dementia as well as in cases of Down’s syndrome, the introduction of Inositol does a world of good. although the results and outputs are dependent on the receptor or the main variable, the patient. This rather inconspicuous compound, packs a punch in terms of the benefits.
Where Are They Found?
Well, believe it or not!! Complicated and very technical though the name itself sounds, Inositol is found in varying degrees in fruits, nuts, grains. Some of the common fruits where Inositol is found, are: Cantaloupes, Citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, and grapefruit. That probably is the reason why, after we have a little bit of these fruits, we start feeling really happy. That is a major benefit we derive from consuming it. The happiness factor gets enhanced. But, it is not like the ‘high’ one gets transported to, while consuming medications. We should not understand it to be an addictive state of ecstasy. Hema, a yoga practitioner, concurs with this. She is of the opinion, that when Nature provides us with enough fruits and greens that are teeming with such unusual compounds, it is always better to consume those. They are better than artificially made medications.
A Look At The Colorful Array Of Foods Rich In Inositol
We at L’Aquila Active are vociferous advocators of everything natural and organic. The words ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ have become too jaded these days. Still, only those who understand the value of consuming natural food items and organically grown produce will concur with us.
What Does Inositol Really Do?
Inositol has this function of balancing some important chemicals in the body. This helps to balance some chemicals that need balance. It also helps solve issues related to panic disorders, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). And speaking of depression, for all those struggling with it, it would do them a lot of good to get a pet as this is proven to help alleviate the symptoms of this dis-ease.
The medical fraternity uses Inositol to ease issues related to metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and problems that deal with pre-mature birth. Today Inositol is also used to help psychiatrists with the major problems that relate to insomnia, bipolar disorder and PSSD- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The benefits of consuming Inositol rich foods are way beyond what we can even decipher!
Inositol Reduces Anxiety by Addressing The Serotonin Levels
There are chemical processes in our body that help create neurotransmitters. Studies by dependable sources after surveys state that when we ingest foods that contain Inositol, there are changes within the paradigms of these neurotransmitters. As you are aware, the function of these neurotransmitters is to convey and infer information to and from the brain. When we take in foods that contain Inositol compound, then there are a host of cascading effects. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain, and is a major one. It has the power to bring changes in our moods. When there are variations in its presence, due to varying degrees of Inositol, then it impacts our behavior in toto. But that’s the plus factor of consuming it (mhanational.org).
The Resultant Effect and Doctors speak
Dr. Mario Thomas (name changed due to request), a psychiatrist in a leading Mumbai (in India) hospital says that he and his team have always fallen back on the support of this compound-Inositol. It helps them to see discernible changes in his patients and bring about improvement. His patient, a well-known individual associated with the entertainment industry was going through panic attacks once too often. It could happen anywhere. So, Inositol through various forms was introduced to address this, in a natural manner. Foods rich in it formed a part of the subject’s daily diet. The progress was good, and steady. There was marked improvement.
No Counter Effects
When members of the medical fraternity wish to introduce compounds but in a natural manner, they do it in an unobstrusive way. The intention is to bring about a holistic and discernible improvement in the affected party’s persona and health, both being equally important. By suggesting the introduction of fruits rich in Inositol such as Musk melons, Cantaloupes, Grape Fruits, Malta Limes, Lemons and nuts, they prove their point, in an oblique manner. The patient, on the other hand is excited about taking these as part of his daily diet. The variations and differences in the content make the food display interesting, as eating the same food everyday would make it boring. The result is that the interest in eating increases, and in an indirect way, helps to keep the consumption of Inositol through food, sustained. And…the benefit factor is also there.
No Numerical Evidences Yet, Inositol Equals Benefits Only
As in the case of anything that helps humans overcome issues relating to what is not visible, such as mental health, Inositol is a win-win thing. The proof of any pudding is in its eating, is it not? In the case of foods rich in Inositol, they are not some exotic and difficult-to-source kinds. They are our everyday items, found in every supermarket, ready to be eaten raw, if not cooked. Looking for breakfast meal that multi-roles as a medication and a food item becomes easy, when we look at the rich array of foods on display.
Beauty Lies In The Eyes Of The Beholder!
They are rich to behold and rich in their content too. That makes it a double whammy. The interest in consuming them never wanes. There is a good variety of foods that have Inositol and also look really yummy. So, in a way, it satisfies the cravings of the palate and that of the visual too. The benefits are visible too, as post consumption, the person looks content and happy.This is definitely where Inositol-rich food items score a high over the other items of our daily diet. A coulouful spread always make the gastronomics score high, in the scheme of palatable things.
Earthy Tones and Natural Hues
Mama Nature scores high as well, in this category. Of course, most of the medications have their roots in natural foods- such a leaves, roots, fruits and vegetables, no doubt. But, none of them can be eaten raw, forthe sole purpose of consuming the chemical elements. Either the veggies have to be cooked or the roots boild and the essence extracted, so to say. In the case of the foods that contain Inositol, the it is an amazing fact that the main items that contain them can be ingested just like that, in their natural state. Fruits than contain them and the nuts that have them can be eaten just like that. And there is no reduction or compromise with respect to the benefits. They are the same in potency.
Antidote For People Who Are Going Through Depression Due To Other Medical Procedures and Treatments
Inositol is an antidote against Depression that overtakes people, during another medical process or procedure they are going through. Many times, due to the onerous journey of a specific medical procedure, some people succumb to depression or that low feeling that dampens us. There is no tangible evidence to zero down, but suffice it to say, that the stress caused by the ongoing treatment, and the physical duress are too much to bear. Coupled with that, there is also the fear if the ailment will leave us and we become alright or not.
Let Us See the After-Effects of Inositol
Every coin has a flip side- there is no doubt about that. Does consumption of Inisitol have such dangerous contra-indications? Many studies by reputed medical research centres have concluded that though there are no hard core evidences to support the stand -of the likelihood of ill effects of consuming too much Inisitol, there are however, some issues. The variable in the chain of events here, is the human being itself. The reactive element varies in degree from person to person. That is why, consuming it through food sources , may give one a headache, while another person may get an upset stomach. It may also trigger an allergic sinusitis -like reaction, says a psychiatrist in a well-known hospital, in New Delhi, India. There is no generalised reaction.
Let Variety Be Our Key
Variety brings about an interest in anything- be it in the clothes we wear or the food we eat. No human likes the same thing like a repetitive process in anything. As the idiom goes, “Variety is the spice of life”, humans want to try out something only if there is the option of having more types of the same. Perhaps that is the only reason people try different fruits each day- each fruit tastes different; they are of varied shapes and colors. Likewise for the nuts. More the reason for the sustained and continuous presence of Inositol in our everyday foods. The double benefit here is the presence of Inositol in the foods that we consume, although propelled by the desire to try different fruits and nuts.
Other Contras…
Some medical fraternity people say that too much of Inositol’s presence in our diet may make us not be able to absorb vital elements and minerals – such as zinc, iron, calcium and probably other essential vitamins. Though there is nothing to substantiate this allegation, it goes without saying, that we have to exercise caution in the quantity we decide to take. It may be organic and natural, but, we have to ensure that we never go overboard with what we have decided to eat. Here, we should realise that we may become the victim of two things- an upset stomach, as well as facing the after-effects of too much Inositol.
Slow, But A Steady Addition To The Diet With Inositol Rich Foods Is The Way Forward…
After we become aware of the presence of Inositol-rich food items, whether fruits, vegetables, or nuts, let us add one such item to our plate every day. Let us also be cautious about not adding too much one day, and going without such eatables and edibles on another day. Moderation is the key to everything when it comes to the diet. So, now that we have given you more insights, we are sure you will consume food as an aware and an informed person, going forward.
Chemical Structure Of Inositol And My-Inositol
Just so some of us who are into research would like to know, the chemical structure of the molecular layout of Inositol is laid out in the following two images.
References and Credits:
- The Biomedical Uses of Inositols: A Nutraceutical Approach to Metabolic Dysfunction in Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of inositol(s) in health and disease
- mhanational.org
- creditable information from psychiatrists
Shanti Arunkumar, Senior Contributor At L’Aquila Active
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