- Cancer Prevention
- Aids in Metabolism of Minerals
- Antioxident
- Cancer Fighter
Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) is a chemical found in beans, brown rice,
corn, sesame seeds, wheat bran, and other high-fiber foods. It is
converted into closely related compounds in the body that are used by
all cells to relay outside messages to the cell nucleus. It also aids
the body in its use (metabolism) of calcium and other minerals.
Animal and lab research has found that IP6 may be effective in lowering
tumor incidence and slowing growth. However, studies have not yet been
done in people. Clinical trials are needed to find out how it might
work in preventing or treating cancer in humans.
How is it
promoted for use?
Proponents call IP6 a "natural cancer fighter" and claim it slows or
reverses the growth of various forms of cancers, including breast,
colon, and prostate cancers. It is thought to be an antioxidant, a
compound that blocks the action of activated oxygen molecules (known as
free radicals) that can damage cells. It may help block certain
abnormal signals, telling a cancer cell to keep growing, from reaching
the cell’s nucleus. Some research shows IP6 slows abnormal cell
division and may sometimes transform tumor cells into normal cells.
Supporters also claim it effectively prevents kidney stones, high
cholesterol, heart disease, and liver disease. Available scientific
evidence does not support these claims.
What does it
involve?
Many high-fiber food sources contain IP6, and it is also available in
pill form as a dietary supplement combining inositol and IP6.
Scientists do not know enough about the chemical to recommend a
standard supplement dose. It is not known whether taking a supplement
provides the same effect as getting it from food sources.
What is the
history behind it?
The existence of IP6 has been known for several decades. Interest in
its potential anti-cancer properties emerged in the mid-1980s when
AbulKalam Shamsuddin, MD, PhD, a pathologist at the University of
Maryland, began to conduct research studies on inositol in the lab. He
published a consumer book in 1998. He and other researchers continue to
study the effects of IP6.
What is the
evidence?
All of the evidence regarding the anti-cancer effects of IP6 has come
from lab cell cultures and animal studies.
Lab studies of cell cultures have shown that IP6 may help put cancer
cells on a path toward normal cell death, and may help keep them from
spreading to other parts of the body. It may also have effects on tumor
blood vessel growth and on the immune system in general. These studies
have shown IP6 may have activity against pancreas, breast, prostate,
colon, and other cancers. Results of some early studies in cells have
also suggested that IP6 may help make certain chemotherapy or hormone
therapy drugs work better.
Studies in lab animals have found that supplementing their diets with
IP6 may help prevent tumors from forming in the prostate, lung, colon,
skin, and other areas.
While animal and lab studies may show a certain compound holds promise
as a helpful treatment, further studies are needed to find out if the
results apply to humans. One preliminary human study suggested that IP6
may cause pre-cancerous lung changes in smokers to shrink.
Inositol hexaphosphate and similar chemicals have also been studied for
treating polycystic ovary syndrome, panic disorders, autism,
obsessive-compulsive disorders, Alzheimer's disease, post-traumatic
stress disorders, and depression, but researchers have reached no firm
conclusions about its impact on these conditions.
