Inosine as a therapeutic supplement
Inosine is a natural compound found in the human body that plays a critical role in energy production by aiding in the formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of cells. This has led to its exploration as a therapeutic supplement, particularly for heart conditions, sports performance enhancement, and neurodegenerative diseases. While inosine is present in foods such as brewer's yeast and organ meats, it is also available in purified supplement form. Proposed therapeutic uses include recovery from heart attacks, treatment of irregular heartbeat, and potential benefits for neurological disorders such as Tourette's syndrome and multiple sclerosis. However, the evidence supporting these therapeutic claims remains preliminary and inconsistent, with some studies indicating potential risks such as kidney stones and increased uric acid levels. Safety considerations are crucial, as long-term use may lead to complications, particularly for individuals with pre-existing conditions like gout. Overall, while inosine may offer some benefits, further research is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for various health conditions.
Inosine as a therapeutic supplement
DEFINITION: Natural substance of the human body used as a supplement to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: None
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Heart attack recovery, irregular heartbeat, sports performance enhancement, Tourette’s syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases
Overview
Inosine is an important chemical found throughout the body. It plays many roles, one of which is helping to make ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body’s main form of usable energy. Based primarily on this fact, inosine supplements have been proposed as an energy booster for athletes, as well as a treatment for various heart conditions.
Requirements and Sources
Inosine is not an essential nutrient. However, brewer’s yeast and organ meats, such as liver and kidney, contain considerable amounts. Inosine is also available in purified form.
Therapeutic Dosages
When used as a sports supplement, a typical dosage of inosine is five to six grams daily.
Therapeutic Uses
Inosine has been proposed as a treatment for various forms of heart disease, from irregular heartbeat to recovery from heart attacks. However, the evidence that it offers any benefit to the heart remains far too preliminary to rely upon. Inosine is better known as a performance enhancer for athletes, although most of the available evidence suggests that it does not work for this purpose. Inosine has also been suggested as a possible treatment for Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder.
Additionally, research found potential benefits for individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The use of inosine may raise serum urate (UA) levels, which may benefit some multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Though these findings were encouraging, there were inconsistencies between patients, and the use of Inosine was found to cause or contribute to kidney stones in more than 15 percent of patients.
Alzheimer′s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may also benefit from inosine supplementation. Because of inosine’s antioxidant properties, it may prevent oxidative stress linked to neurodegenerative diseases or treat existing maladaptations by increasing ATP and urate levels. However, these results are preliminary and require further investigation.
Safety Issues
Although few side effects have been reported with the use of inosine, long-term use should be avoided. A preliminary double-blind crossover study that enrolled seven participants suggests that high doses of inosine (5,000 to 10,000 milligrams per day for five to ten days) may increase the risk of uric acid-related problems, such as gout or kidney stones. Individuals with gout should avoid inosine supplements, as it worsens the condition.
The safety of inosine for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with serious liver or kidney disease has not been established. As with all supplements taken in multigram doses, it is important to purchase a reputable product because a contaminant present, even in small percentages, could add up to a real problem.
Bibliography
Basile, Maria Sofia, et al. “Inosine in Neurodegenerative Diseases: From the Bench to the Bedside.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 27, no. 14, July 2022, p. 4644, doi:10.3390/molecules27144644.
"Inosine." National Library of Medicine, 14 Sept. 2024, pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Inosine. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Jeyaraj, Faustina T., and Venkata S. Voruganti. "Multifaceted Role of Inosine in Complex Diseases and Human Health." Nutrition Reviews, 2024, doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuae029.
Markowitz, Clyde E., et al. “The Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis with Inosine.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 15, no. 6, 2009, pp. 619-25. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0513.
Wang, T., et al. "Inosine is an Alternative Carbon Source for CD8+-T-Cell Function Under Glucose Restriction." Nature Metabolism, vol. 2, 2020, pp. 635–47. doi.org/10.1038/s42255-020-0219-4.