We have been recommending IP6 (inositol hexaphosphate) for several years, primarily for helping to reduce minor serum iron and/or ferritin elevation. IP6 is an excellent chelator of metals and is fairly inexpensive and highly available.

We have become aware of some other important uses of IP6 that you should know about. If you want to do some reading on IP6, get ready for some deep water. I will try to break it all down into manageable bits. But first let’s talk about some basics over the next few blogs beginning with cardiac calcium.

IP6 Basics

IP6 is also known as inositol hexaphosphate, myo-inositol hexaphosphate or phytic acid. It is a naturally occurring carbohydrate and is present in most plant and animal cells (much smaller levels in animal cells) so you can get some IP6 from just about any diet but again, higher levels in cereals and legumes. IP6 is typically involved in common cellular functions like signal transduction, cell growth and differentiation, platelet activity and cholesterol metabolism.

IP6 As Calcium Chelator

As well as chelating iron, IP6 can also chelate calcium. Some researchers have been saying for years that heart disease is complicated by too much calcium in the diet. Getting calcium just right is the key. Researchers are working with using cardiac calcium measurements (via CT scan) to assess the amount of calcium in the heart and cardiac arteries. High levels have been associated with increased risk of heart attacks.

Medicine Doesn’t Usually Treat Cardiac Calcification

The medical approach is to just use the typical drugs to try to lower heart attack risk without really addressing the calcium buildup. We think it makes sense to get your cardiac CT scan, take a couple of caps of IP6 a day, reduce your intake of dairy products, increase your intake of brown rice (high levels of IP6 in rice bran) and then retest your cardiac calcium in about 6 months.

An interesting side note: researchers have been trying to lower the amount of IP6 in grains without success as plants don’t live well without it any better than we do.

IP May Be Beneficial In Preventing and Treating Many Cancers

Some studies have suggested that IP6 is very effective at preventing and controlling cancer. It has been shown to help prevent cancer, slow tumor progression, slow metastasis and help improve cancer treatment effectiveness and improve quality of life during treatment. Not a lot of research has been published about human trials and IP6. The initial information we have is intriguing.

Some other effects that have been noted with IP6 supplementation are:

Decreased calcification of the aorta

Decreased adult onset diabetes

Reduced serum cholesterol

Reduced bone loss

Things Your Should Know

We generally recommend short term use of IP6 to help with your iron overload or cardiac calcium problems. Long term use can cause issues with blood clotting as it interferes with platelet activity that is essential for that process. Therefore you might bleed easier especially if taking any anticoagulants.

IP6 can also bind to magnesium and zinc so you might need to add some of this along with your IP6 regimen.

Jarrow Formulas IP6 500mg

Pure Encapsulations IP6