As d-chiro inositol is commonly used by women with PCOS, many of whom are trying to conceive, a common question regarding

DCI is whether it is safe to take duri ng pregnancy. This is a difficult question to answer categorically. It s a very personal choice. A ll I can do is tell you what I know and what I would do if I were pregnant. There have not been, nor are there ever likely to be, studies done on the safety of DCI during pregnancy. As it is not patentable, being identical to a substanc e manufactured in nature, there is insufficient monetary incentive for anyone to fund these studies. On the other hand, I can tell you that:

DCI is a substance found in healthy human bodies, which plays a critical role in carbohydrate metabolism through the insulin signalling pathway. We take supplemental DCI because women with PCOS/IR etc appear to have a defect in inositol metabolism which prevents us from obtaining DCI from food, manufactu ring it from inositol in vivo and also makes us excrete whatever DCI we do manag e to obtain many times more quickly than other human beings. In summary, we are restoring the status quo, rather than taking a nutrient in doses larger than nor mally obtained through the diet in order to achieve a pseudo-pharmaceutical effe ct. DCI is naturally derived, close to 100% pure chemically and is something that ca n be found in some foods. By regulating carbohydrate metabolism and normalising elevated insulin and blood glucose levels, DCI helps to balance female reproductive hormones, by preventin g the inhibition of progesterone production which occurs with elevated levels of testosterone (a side effect of elevated insulin levels). Progesterone is essent ial for sustaining pregnancy. It is the pregnancy hormone . If there is insufficient pr ogesterone, miscarriage is likely. Progesterone insufficiency is the leading cau se of miscarriage amongst women with PCOS. The placenta will takeover progestero ne production from around the 12th week, which is when the risk of miscarriage i s greatly reduced. During pregnancy, insulin sensitivity is dulled in everyone, not just those with PCOS/IR. All women are at higher risk of diabetes during pregnancy or in later life partially as a result of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is usually transit ory, resolving after birth, however, it increases the risk of diabetes in later life for both the mother and the child. Elevated insulin and blood sugar levels during pregnancy have a negative effect on the foetus. I cannot advise you on the right course of action this is a decision that ultimate ly only you can make, in conjunction with your doctor. All I can do is share with you what I would do. If I were pregnant I would defi nitely continue taking my DCI. I consider it likely to be an exceptionally safe substance. I believe that the risks of not taking it vastly outweigh any poten tial risks of taking it. If you or your doctor have any further questions, please let me know. I m here to he lp. Kind regards, Anne www.mypcos.info