The Surprising Truth about the Benefits of Inosine

Are you an athlete looking to enhance your performance naturally by taking inosine and vitamin supplements? Perhaps you’re into weight-lifting and have heard about others using an inosine and vitamin supplements formulas prior to their workout to enhance their performance. The simple truth is, the old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” may well apply to inosine in terms of athletic enhancement. But inosine is generating a great deal of excitement and interest in another important arena: the medical one.

What is Inosine?

Unlike vitamins and minerals, inosine is not considered an essential nutrient. There is no recommended daily allowance of inosine, nor do deficiencies occur. It is a molecule known as a purine ribonucleoside, and is found in plants and animals as well as the human body. We are most likely to ingest inosine via brewer’s yeast and organ meats including kidneys and livers. Purified inosine supplements are also available.

Inosine plays many important roles in living matter. It helps our bodies make adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a form of energy involved in muscle movement. This particular role is what led its proponents to suggest it could function as an energy boosting or endurance enhancing supplement. Anecdotal supports contributed to this believe, although scientific studies have indicated no benefits of a separate or combined inosine and vitamin supplements regimen.

Interestingly, although inosine supplements continue to be marketed and sold as strength training performance enhancers, inosine is now being researched for a very different purpose. Studies indicate that inosine may be of some value as a supportive supplement for individuals with multiple sclerosis as well as those who have suffered a stroke.

Inosine for MS: Evidence suggests that inosine in fact has neuroprotective properties. Following consumption of inosine, uric acid is produced. Uric acid as an antioxidant that may help suppress the free radical peroxynitrite. Peroxynitrite is believed to be involved in the onset and progression of nerve degeneration characteristic of MS.

Inosine for Stroke: Research has clearly indicated that inosine aids neurons damaged during stroke to begin to re-grow nerve fibers in varying degrees. Inosine also stimulates neurons that were not damaged to branch out to replace those that were. Although both types of growth may only be partial and further research is necessary, this is an exciting discovery for individuals who have suffered nerve damage due to stroke or injury.

There are presently no known side effects or medical interactions associated with taking either an individual inosine supplement or an inosine and vitamin supplements combination. It is still advisable to talk to your doctor before doing so, however. The uric acid produced by unused inosine can contribute to symptoms of gout for those predisposed to the condition.