Could an unspecified vitamin supplement help dieters lose weight? –

Smarts have cleared pharmacists’ shelves with a little-known vitamin supplement after a video claiming to help a woman lose seven incredible stones in six months went viral on social media.

In the TikTok clip, which has been watched nearly four million times, her personal assistant Aida Azizii reveals dramatic before and after photos of her transformation and explains that it’s due to inositol, a type of carbohydrate found in rice.

Since then, hundreds of video impersonators have popped up, and others claim it works for them too.

Aida, 25, from London, told The Mail on Sunday: “Inositol has changed my life. I’ve tried everything from prescription drugs to every diet you can think of, and nothing has worked that way.

Not surprisingly, stores flocked after its opening.

Health store Holland & Barrett says sales of inositol supplements doubled in the week following the video, released March 1, and remains the most searched article on its website.

NA: She lost seven stones in six months and went viral on social media

Independent pharmacy Landys said it received more than 700 orders in one day on March 3.

So could inositol really be the holy grail that weight loss users have been looking for for a while? Interesting answer is yes.

Inositol, also known as vitamin B8, which we naturally consume in small amounts in a normal diet, is believed to regulate hormone levels.

Concentrated dose capsules have long been touted by natural health enthusiasts to help suppress appetite and curb cravings. Others say it can increase fertility and relieve pain issues.

Medical researchers began studying inositol about a decade ago, believing it could have a similar effect to the prescription drug metformin, which reduces blood sugar and is given to patients with type 2 diabetes.

“Inositol and metformin affect levels of insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels,” says Dr Channa Jayasena, reproductive endocrinologist at Imperial College London.

“There’s a growing recognition in the medical community that inositol has real effects on weight loss, so it’s no surprise it’s caught on.”

Inositol, also known as vitamin B8, which we naturally consume in small amounts in a normal diet, is believed to regulate hormone levels. [File image]

Recent studies have shown promise in patients suffering from weight gain due to polycystic ovary syndrome. The condition, which affects one in ten women, occurs when fluid-filled sacs appear on the ovaries.

This causes hormone levels to skew, causing symptoms ranging from irregular periods and excessive hair growth to infertility.

It also increases the amount of insulin produced by the body: excessive amounts in the blood promote fat deposition and increase hunger, leading to weight gain.

Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome are given metformin to stabilize their insulin levels and control their weight, and the idea of ​​inositol as a possible natural alternative has intrigued experts.

A study published in 2017 found that patients with the syndrome who took inositol saw levels of weight loss similar to those who took metformin.

And, again, an analysis of nine studies published in 2017 concluded that women who took inositol for longer than 24 weeks were more likely to experience metabolic improvements such as weight loss and lower blood sugar than those who did not.

After Aida posted the clip on TikTok, where it was viewed 4 million times, not surprisingly, a store flurry arose.

Many NHS hospitals now recommend inositol for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. “I have recommended two people to use my-inositol. [a common form of the supplement] this week,” says Dr. jayasena

Aida contracted the condition when she was 16 and suffered from classic symptoms, including weight gain.

Doctors prescribed her metformin, but while helping Aida lose weight, she experienced debilitating side effects, including nausea, and had to stop taking the drug.

“My weight increased after that,” she says. I ate more and gained more weight. I always felt hungry.

Aida says she read about inositol six months ago: “I’ve tried everything else and found that it’s a natural supplement and has helped a lot of other women. So I asked my doctor and he said I should.

He initially took a single capsule containing 1 g of inositol. Within weeks he noticed a change.

“I didn’t want to eat sugary foods anymore,” she says.

Health store Holland & Barrett says sales of inositol supplements doubled in the week following the video, released March 1, and remains the most searched article on its website.

As the weight decreased, she found it safe to hit the gym and gradually increased her dose to four capsules a day; this is the amount shown in studies to aid weight loss.

Six months later, he lost just over seven bricks and decided to share his story on TikTok. So can inositol help a weaker potency?

Jackie Lynch, a private nutritionist from West London, urges caution.

She says she would recommend inositol to anyone with PCOS who isn’t taking metformin: “If you’re someone who struggles with side effects, inositol may work for you.”

However, he also believes that people without the condition should not take it, especially at doses above 4g.

Research shows that taking large doses of inositol regularly can lead to nausea, indigestion, and even hypoglycemia, where blood sugar levels drop too low.

He added: “These compounds can be tough on the gut and can lead to pretty irritating issues if used too much.”

And not all doctors are convinced about inositol. “The research really started only a decade ago and I don’t think it’s enough to say for sure yet,” said Professor Naveed Sattar, a metabolism expert at the University of Glasgow.

“It’s possible that people who take inositol and think they’re losing weight are actually just dieting more and exercising more, but they attribute the changes to the pills,” she adds.