Inositol Supplementation in the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Inositol, an emerging novel therapy for the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), is a cyclic polyol that has insulin-like effects and plays an important role in glucose homeostasis. The conventional treatment of GDM with insulin and oral antihyperglycemic drugs usually comes with side effects, paving the way for and shedding spotlight on clinical trials involving inositol. This review analyzed a host of recent trials that involved inositol supplementation for preventing GDM and their positive outcomes in reducing the rate of GDM among obese and overweight pregnant women, as well as women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus.