Inositol Hexanicotinate Supplement Could Help Diabetes Sufferers

Scientists have known for some time now that a naturally occurring substance, found in your body's cells and also present in vegetable fibre, is an effective anti-cancer agent. Now, there is mounting evidence to suggest that this active compound could also play a vital role in the prevention and management of Type 2 diabetes.

Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), also known as phytic acid, is a component of fibre found in wholegrains and legumes (peas and beans). However, the quantities of IP6 derived from these dietary sources are too small to provide any real therapeutic value. Now this problem has finally been overcome following the development of Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) in supplement form. Taken in this way, more of it can be efficiently absorbed and utilised by your body.

Following a review of numerous study results, US scientists have concluded that Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) - and its related substance IP3 (formed when IP6 enters your body) - could be the key to regulating healthy insulin production.1

Their findings open exciting doors to the future management of diabetes and herald a brighter future for those with a family history of the disease who are trying to prevent its onset in later life.

How cancer research led to this exciting discovery

Naturopath Marcus Webb, who also works as a chartered biologist and technical director at Hadley Wood Healthcare, the company behind the development of IP6, says that the excitement about Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) and diabetes has come about almost as a 'side effect' of the extensive research into IP6 and cancer.

In fact, over the past 15 years, studies on IP6 have mainly focused on it's role as an antioxidant and anti-cancer agent. A leader in this field has been Dr Abul Shamsuddin, Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, in Baltimore in the US. He and fellow researchers have published a number of key papers on the benefits of IP6 in fighting cancer.

One of the reasons why it is thought to be so effective in this area is due to the fact that it is a powerful antioxidant - meaning that it helps render free radicals harmless, which can otherwise increase the risk of the disease developing. According to scientists Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) may also help to inhibit the spread of established cancer, as it has been shown to slow down the rate of abnormal cell division.2, 3

It also boosts immunity by increasing the activity of natural killer cells, which help fight off viruses, bacteria and cancerous cells. Not only that but it may also have the added benefit of preventing the formation of kidney stones.4

Marcus Webb says that in the course of patients taking IP6 for the above medical complaints, researchers noticed that many of them were not only experiencing health-related benefits in these specific areas, but tests were also revealing healthier blood sugar levels.

According to Marcus, Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) probably helps to benefit health in so many different ways because it appears to play a key role in cell-to-cell communication. He says, 'The anecdotal evidence is supported by a good grounding in the theory of how it should work'...'And the more you look into the cellular basis of disease, the more you see that communication between cells is at the roots of it'.

'Since I've been taking it, I feel better and I feel fitter... and my blood sugar level has come down'
When Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) enters the body it divides to produce two molecules of IP3; it is IP3 that plays a major role in the communication between cells. In this new Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) supplement, IP6 is combined in a four-to-one ratio with inositol (a member of the B-vitamin group), which helps Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) to create IP3 more efficiently.

Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) and IP3 help regulate blood sugar levels by encouraging the efficient functioning of beta cells in your pancreas. Scientists know that these cells are sensitive to glucose and are responsible for the process that leads to insulin (which helps regulate glucose) being released. If these cells are not working properly then Type 2 diabetes can occur.

One person to benefit from taking Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) supplements is well-known TV personality, naturopath and health expert, Jan De Vries. He has been taking them for the past four months to help manage his Type 2 diabetes, and he says he has already noticed 'a distinct improvement' in his condition.

Jan De Vries is sure that Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) also gives the body's immune system a boost, and says, 'since I've been taking it, I feel better and I feel fitter... and my blood sugar level has come down'. He has just completed work on a new book entitled My Life With Diabetes, which is due to be published later this year (by Mainstream). In this forthcoming book he mentions the benefits of Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) in helping to manage his condition.

What to take for best results

The recommended dosage is two capsules of Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) capsules twice a day. In powder form, the suggested dose is one scoop twice a day (see label for further details). There have not been any reports of side effects linked to taking IP6Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6)supplements, but as always check with your doctor if you are currently on medication.

1. CJ Barker, IB Leibiger, B Leibiger, PO Berggren. Phosphorylated inositol compounds in beta cell stimulus response coupling. December 2002. American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism, 283, p E1113-E1122.
2. AM Shamsuddin. Anti-Cancer Function of Phytic Acid. 2002. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, Vol 37, p 769-782.
3. I Vucenik, AM Shamsuddin. Inhibition of growth and induction of differentiation by IP6. June 2002. European Cancer Research Symposium, Granada, Spain.
4. F Grases, BM Simonet, I Vucenik, J Perello, RM Prieto, AM Shamsuddin. Effects of exogenous inositol hexaphosphate (InsP6) on the levels of InsP6 and of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) in malignant cells, tissues and biological fluids. Laboratory of Renal Lithiasis Research, Faculty of Science, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Life Sciences, 16 August 2002, p 1535-1546.