Inosine is an amino acid that is a kind of coenzyme drug widely used in the medicine and the food industry. Inosine appears as a white crystalline powder, and is often used in fitness supplements for metabolism. Though it’s considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Inosine?
Inosine is a nucleoside that is formed when hypoxanthine is attached to a ribose ring (also known as a ribofuranose) via a β-N9-glycosidic bond. The most common use of inosine as a health supplement is the improvement of athletic performance. It is also used for its antioxidant properties and to support the nervous system.
Possible Side Effects of Inosine
Inosine is generally considered a safe ingredient. The side effects may: Although no side effects have been reported with the use of inosine, long-term use should be avoided. A very preliminary double-blind crossover study that enrolled 7 participants suggests that high doses of inosine (5,000 to 10,000 mg per day for 5 to 10 days) may increase the risk of uric acid–related problems, such as gout or kidney stones. The safety of inosine for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with serious liver or kidney disease has not been established.
GRAS Affirmation: Yes
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Inosine is considered safe by FDA.
Suggested Dosage
NA.
Special Populations Precaution
There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like Newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to Inosine populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Inosine.
Related Research
1. Inosine to increase serum and cerebrospinal fluid urate in Parkinson disease: a randomized clinical trial. [JAMA Neurol. 2014 Feb] Author: Parkinson Study Group SURE-PD Investigators, Schwarzschild MA, Ascherio A, Beal MF, Cudkowicz ME, Curhan GC, Hare JM, Hooper DC, Kieburtz KD, Macklin EA, Oakes D, Rudolph A, Shoulson I, Tennis MK, Espay AJ, Gartner M, Hung A, Bwala G, Lenehan R, Encarnacion E, Ainslie M, Castillo R, Togasaki D, Barles G, Friedman JH, Niles L, Carter JH, Murray M, Goetz CG, Jaglin J, Ahmed A, Russell DS, Cotto C, Goudreau JL, Russell D, Parashos SA, Ede P, Saint-Hilaire MH, Thomas CA, James R, Stacy MA, Johnson J, Gauger L, Antonelle de Marcaida J, Thurlow S, Isaacson SH, Carvajal L, Rao J, Cook M, Hope-Porche C, McClurg L, Grasso DL, Logan R, Orme C, Ross T, Brocht AF, Constantinescu R, Sharma S, Venuto C, Weber J, Eaton K.
2. Inosine enhances axon sprouting and motor recovery after spinal cord injury. [PLoS One. 2013 Dec 2] Author: Kim D, Zai L, Liang P, Schaffling C, Ahlborn D, Benowitz LI.
3. Boosting endogenous neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis: the ASsociation of Inosine and Interferon beta in relapsing- remitting Multiple Sclerosis (ASIIMS) trial. [Mult Scler. 2010 Apr] Author: Gonsette RE, Sindic C, D’hooghe MB, De Deyn PP, Medaer R, Michotte A, Seeldrayers P, Guillaume D; ASIIMS study group.
4. Inosine improves islet xenograft survival in immunocompetent diabetic mice. [Eur J Med Res. 2005 Jul 29] Author: Schneider S, Klein HH.