Inosine

What is Inosine? (also known as)

Inosine is a nucleic acid or nucleoside derivative¹, which is a purine base, comparable to well-known DNA bases, adenine and guanine.

Where Does Inosine Come From?

Inosine occurs naturally in brewer’s yeast and organ meats¹.

Inosine Benefits

Inosine has several theoretical metabolic roles that could provide an ergogenic benefit, including being a precursor to 2,3-diphosphoglycerate formation (an endogenous metabolite shown to increase the haemoglobin carrying capacity of blood^{2, 3}), a stimulus for insulin release, resulting in carbohydrate uptake by cardiac tissue⁴. In addition, inosine has been shown to increases cardiac contractility and is a vasodilating agent^{5, 6}.

However, all of these earlier studies where performed in animal models¹ or via intravenous infusion in man³, so it was hard to say at that stage whether oral supplementation with inosine would have ergogenic effects in humans. Despite this, in the early 1980's, Russian and Eastern Bloc weightlifters began to experiment with inosine supplementation, and as a result many anecdotal claims about its ergogenic effect on strength surfaced¹. As a result the use and popularity of inosine supplementation in sport increase during the late 20^th century.

However, subsequent studies and analysis of inosine supplementation in humans were disappointing with regard to its ergogenic effects⁹. For example a study published in 1990 by researchers from Norfolk, Virginia showed that 2 days of inosine supplementation at 6 grams per day did not result in an improvement to 3-mile run time⁷. Additionally, 5 days or oral supplementation at 5 grams per day in competitive male cyclists did not improve measures of aerobic performance and short-term power production during cycling-specific tests¹. Similarly, a study published 3 years later in 1999 failed to show any affect on aerobic or anaerobic cycling performance despite 10 days of oral inosine supplementation at 10 grams per day⁸.

Negative Side Effects of Inosine

While exhaustive studies on possible negative side-effects of inosine supplementation have not been carried out, the few studies that have been conducted in humans have used relatively high doses ranging from 5 to 10g, which is relatively higher compared to the average level in sports nutrition supplements.

Inosine Recommended Dosages & Timing

While studies in humans have used between 5 and 10 grams per day, such levels are not typically recommended.

Inosine Supplements

A limited number of companies sell inosine on its own as a pure powder. Otherwise it usually features in pre-workout supplements.

Stacking Inosine

Despite the lack of supporting studies, inosine is purported to have both anaerobic and aerobic benefits. Therefore, inosine can be stacked with popular pre-workout nutrients like creatine, beta-alanine and citrulline etc.

Inosine Safety

The studies conducted in humans, where subjects were taking 10 grams a day, did not report any negative side effects or toxicity. Given 10 grams is much higher than the usual dose of inosine, supplementation with inosine in more moderate doses such as 1-2 grams is thought to be relatively safe.

1. Starling RD, et al. Effect of inosine supplementation on aerobic and anaerobic cycling performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 1996;28(9):1193-1198.
2. Åkerblom O, et al. Restoration of defective oxygen-transport function of stored red blood cells by addition of inosine. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1968;21:245-248.
3. De Verdier CH, et al. Intravenous infusion of inosine in man: effect of erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration and on blood oxygen affinity. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1973;32:205-210.
4. Smiseth OA, et al. Inosine causing insulin release and increased myocardial uptake of carbohydrate relative to free fatty acids in dogs. Clin Physiol. 1989;9:27-38.
5. Czarnecki WR, et al. Inosine-a natural modulator of contractility and myocardial blood flow in the ischemic heart? Am Heart J. 1992;124:1446-1459.
6. Power FM, et al. Thomas. Effect of inosine in the normal and perfused rat heart. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 1990;15:862-867.
7. Williams MH, et al. Effect of inosine spplementation on 3-mile treadmill run performance and VO₂ peak. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990;22:517-522.
8. McNaughton L, Dalton B, Tarr J. Inosine supplementation has no effect on aerobic or anaerobic cycling performance. Int J Sport Nutr. 1999;9(4):333-44.
9. National Strength and Conditioning Association. Round-table: popularised ergogenic aids. Natl Strength Condition Assoc J. 1989;11:10-14./sup