Inositol and egg quality – the very latest to know

We’ve seen the inositol and egg quality topic popping up in fertility circles – as well as on page one of Google, and in our recent polls over on Instagram in collaboration with Ovosicare® – for a while now.

So today we’re asking, what’s the connection here? How does inositol improve egg quality, what should we know about type and dosage, and who can benefit the most?

Egg quality generally refers to the chromosomal status of the egg. And for the latest science paired with top-notch support in supplement form, we turn to the experts behind Ovosicare® Fertility, a food supplement formulated to help support female fertility, especially for those with egg quality concerns. 

170,000 women internationally have chosen Ovosicare® Fertility to boost their chances of pregnancy since its launch in 2020. Now exclusively available in the UK via official retailer LivBio, it combines 12 innovative ingredients with a unique, patented ratio of myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol that is scientifically proven to positively impact fertility.

Before we get into it – do get caught up on the first piece in this series in partnership with Ovosicare®, where we dive deep into myo-inositol & d-chiro-inositol for fertility.

Now, over to Aurelio Vázquez de la Torre, Global Medical Advisor at Ovosicare®, for the inositol and egg quality 101. 

1. What is inositol, and why is it important for egg quality?

43% of you who responded to our recent polls said you knew about inositol, but were unsure of the exact details. So here’s a little breakdown.

Inositol is often spoken of in its plural form: inositols. They’re a family of sugars that are made in our bodies. They also occur naturally in nuts and fruits.

There are nine different forms of inositol, but when it comes to fertility we typically focus on two types – that’s myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol.

These have both been found to play a key role in improving egg quality, as well as;

• promoting hormonal balance
• regulating the menstrual cycle
• supporting ovulation and ovarian function
• reducing the risk of miscarriage

Inositols are thought to specifically support egg quality by boosting the development and quality of the follicles in which your eggs mature. 

But, are both inositols equally as beneficial?

2. Which type of inositol should you take for an egg quality focus?

The two key types of inositol worth mentioning for egg quality are myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol, as we’ve mentioned above.

71% of you said you’d never heard of d-chiro-inositol – and we’d forgive you for feeling a bit in the dark about it. 

D-chiro-inositol was only pioneered in combination with myo-inositol in 2012, whereas myo-inositol has been in the fertility spotlight since the early 2000s, having been widely researched in the context of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) as a well-tolerated alternative to metformin.

However, d-chiro-inositol is equally important to take for egg quality, despite it still being less well known.

The latest on d-chiro-inositol and egg quality

A quick Google search for d-chiro-inositol and egg quality in 2024 might bring up old research suggesting that there’s a negative relationship between the two. This paper is from 2012, however, and has since been retracted after concerns around ethical standards and the credibility of its findings. 

More recently, research suggests that high-dose d-chiro-inositol in the specific 3.6:1 combination with myo-inositol is extremely effective in improving egg quality, compared with formulas with a much higher dosage of myo-inositol.

In a nutshell – myo-inositol is crucial for follicular development, and works in tandem with d-chiro-inositol to support glycogen synthesis – which is related to metabolic function and energy storage – to pack a combined fertility punch.

3. Can inositol improve egg quality for those with PCOS?

Absolutely. There’s a wide body of research showing that inositols do improve fertility in women with PCOS, particularly when it comes to egg quality. 

Myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol have been shown to regulate androgens and hormone levels and support weight management – both of which are key for menstrual cycle regulation and all-important healthy ovulation.

Some studies even suggest that pregnancy rates improve when inositols are part of a balanced PCOS fertility plan. 

So if you’re managing PCOS and egg quality is a concern, taking an inositol supplement like Ovosicare® Fertility is a non-negotiable.

4. Can inositol help improve egg quality in women undergoing IVF or fertility treatments?

In a word – yes! Inositol could be a real game changer for women having fertility treatment.

In fact, one study suggests that inositol, particularly when taken as both myo- and d-chiro-inositol, can improve pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing fertility treatments, and another concluded that myo- and d-chiro-inositol in combination specifically improved oocyte quality in women with PCOS undergoing ICSI.

So, if egg quality is top of mind, it might be worth popping inositol into your wider supplement protocol, in the lead-up to treatment.

5. What’s the right inositol dosage for egg quality?

When it comes to dosage, you’ll often find a recommendation of around 2,000 mg of myo-inositol and 50 mg of d-chiro-inositol in a 40:1 ratio, but recent clinical trials are increasingly pointing towards Ovosicare®’s patented 3.6:1 ratio for enhanced efficacy.

While myo-inositol has been shown to be more effective at improving metabolism, d-chiro-inositol works better for reducing excess male hormones and oxidative stress. Together, both help restore insulin balance and support healthy ovarian function.

This is why it is highly effective for supporting egg quality, when supplemented with in this specific 3.6:1 combination.

6. Can inositol improve egg quality for women over 40?

If you’re over the age of 40, egg quality concerns will understandably feel more pronounced for you.

And we do know that egg health tends to decline with age, generally because our eggs are more susceptible to chromosomal abnormalities, often resulting from oxidative stress and high levels of damaging free radicals.

Whilst there’s not much we can do about the age element in itself, inositol can offer powerful egg quality support, and this is thought to apply to women who are in the 35 or 40-plus age bracket, too. 

And, getting specific here, we’d also recommend combining inositols with other fertility-supporting ingredients, to further improve outcomes.

7. So which other ingredients should we combine with inositol for egg quality?

It’s a good idea to combine inositols with antioxidants like Pomanox® – a high-quality form of pomegranate extract, and top supporting ingredient on the Ovosicare® Fertility supplement label.

50% of you who responded to our poll hadn’t heard of Pomanox®, but it’s certainly one to bookmark for egg quality, as it has been shown to reduce oxidative stress, helping to protect eggs from damage and improve their overall quality, as well as improving metabolism and reducing inflammatory and blood pressure markers.

Certain key vitamins, including folic acid and vitamin D, are also good to pair with inositols. Vitamin D is associated with improved implantation and reduced inflammation in the body, whilst folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects in pregnancy.

And if we’re going for folic acid, we should always choose the active, Quatrefolic® form. This is included in the Ovosicare® Fertility supplement and has excellent bioavailability, meaning it is more easily absorbed by the body.

Combining myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol with these vitamins is a really great way to nail the nutrition side, when you’re focusing on egg quality.

8. How long does it take for inositol to improve egg quality?

Consistency is key when taking inositol for egg quality. We’d suggest you take Ovosicare® Fertility for around three to six months to see the full benefits. 

The key takeaway here though is that whether you’re dealing with age-related egg quality concerns, PCOS or something else, taking inositol as part of a well-rounded fertility support plan that spans diet, exercise, stress management, reduction of toxins and healthy blood flow will help ensure you’re covering all the bases.

Keen to try out Ovosicare® Fertility yourself? If you’re based in the UK, do pop the Ovosicare® Fertility supplement in your basket – exclusively available via official UK retailer LivBio.