IP6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate, Phytate)
Also called inositol hexaphosphate, InsP6, phytate, phytic acid, myo-inositol hexakisphosphate, calcium-magnesium phytate.
Best grade D across 6 graded outcomes Other Last checked
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The short answer
From 10 sourcesIP6 is phytate, the mineral-binding compound in grains and beans. Small trials found it lowered fasting uric acid over 2 weeks and lowered HbA1c and glycation markers over 3 months in type 2 diabetes. Three of those four trials had no placebo, and three of the four uric acid trial authors worked for Otsuka Pharmaceutical. Phytate also blocks iron absorption.
Quick pick
From a partner brand · paid link
Source Naturals IP-6 Inositol Hexaphosphate, 800 mg, 45 Tabs
from HerbsPro
Its name matches IP6 plus inositol combination, one of the forms compared in our Forms table.
Label: 3 tablets: 3.48 g calcium-magnesium inositol hexaphosphate yielding 2.4 g IP-6 (with 590 mg calcium and 94 mg magnesium).
Best for trying one bottle: $10.15 one-time (checked Oct 15, 2026).
Every graded outcome on this page
6 rows · line = participants- DGrade DRise in uric acid after a purine-rich mealUric acidn 48
- DGrade DAdiponectin and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetesBlood sugarn 39
- DGrade DHbA1c and advanced glycation end-products in type 2 diabetesBlood sugarn 33
- DGrade DFasting serum uric acid in people with high uric acidUric acidn 31
- DGrade DUrine calcium in kidney-stone patients with high bone turnoverUrine calciumn 23
- DGrade DQuality of life during breast cancer chemotherapyChemotherapy side effectsn 14
- 3 more graded outcomes, in the evidence chapter
Key facts
- Uric acid
- Fasting serum uric acid was lower after 2 weeks of 1,200 mg/day IP6 than after placebo in 31 people with high uric acid; a single phytic acid drink with a purine-rich meal lowered the uric acid rise only as a trend (48 healthy people). Otsuka Pharmaceutical staff co-wrote both17
- Type 2 diabetes
- In two 3-month crossover trials without a placebo, IP6 capsules lowered HbA1c and circulating advanced glycation end-products (n=33) and raised adiponectin (n=39)23
- Urine calcium
- In 23 people with kidney stones and high bone turnover, 24-hour urine calcium fell to 226 mg vs 304 mg in an untreated control group after 3 months4
- Iron absorption
- Phytate cut iron absorption from a wheat roll in a dose-dependent way: 18% at 2 mg, 64% at 25 mg and 82% at 250 mg phytate phosphorus; vitamin C partly offset this6
- Cancer claims
- The only randomized trial in cancer patients was a 14-person pilot of IP6 plus inositol during chemotherapy, reporting better quality-of-life scores5
- Intravenous drug form
- SNF472, an IP6 drug given into a vein during dialysis, slowed coronary calcium build-up over 52 weeks (11% vs 20% rise with placebo); it is not an oral supplement8
What it is
IP6 (inositol hexaphosphate, or phytate) is the phosphorus-storage compound in whole grains, beans and seeds, also sold as a supplement.
How it works
ProposedIP6 binds metal ions such as iron, zinc and calcium. Trial authors propose that this blocks metal-driven protein glycation and slows calcium-crystal formation and bone resorption, and that IP6 in the gut reduces purine absorption, lowering uric acid. Its mineral binding is also why phytate reduces iron absorption from a meal (established).2146
Forms, side by side
3 forms named in our sources. The rest show what our data holds, and say plainly where it holds nothing yet.
IP6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate, Phytate) forms compared
3 forms| 3 forms | Calcium-magnesium phytate capsules | IP6 plus inositol combination | IP6 in a drink |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absorption in people | Urinary inositol phosphates rose with supplementation in the diabetes trial (full text); absolute absorption is not reported in the abstracts.24 | Not measured in the trial abstract.5 | Not measured.1 |
| GI tolerance | No adverse effects reported in the abstracts; iron and transferrin did not change in the 12-week diabetes trial.24 | Blood counts were preserved during chemotherapy in a 14-person pilot.5 | No safety signal reported over 2 weeks.1 |
| Studied for | Blood sugar, urine calcium | Chemotherapy quality of life | Uric acid |
- Calcium-magnesium phytate capsules
- Absorption in people
- Urinary inositol phosphates rose with supplementation in the diabetes trial (full text); absolute absorption is not reported in the abstracts.24
- GI tolerance
- No adverse effects reported in the abstracts; iron and transferrin did not change in the 12-week diabetes trial.24
- Studied for
- Blood sugar, urine calcium
- IP6 plus inositol combination
- IP6 in a drink
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form line shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
Trial map
6 graded outcomes, largest study first6 graded outcomes: 5 improved, 1 mixed. The largest, a 2020 crossover trial of 48 people on rise in uric acid after a purine-rich meal, found mixed results.
1Rise in uric acid after a purine-rich meal
Mixed · Grade D · Crossover RCT, 48 people, 2020
Healthy adults with normal fasting uric acid
Dose, result and source| Outcome | Found | People | Study | Who was studied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rise in uric acid after a purine-rich meal | Mixed | 48 | Grade D · Crossover RCT, 2020 | Healthy adults with normal fasting uric acid |
| Adiponectin and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetes | Improved | 39 | Grade D · Crossover RCT, 2023 | Adults with type 2 diabetes (Spain) |
| HbA1c and advanced glycation end-products in type 2 diabetes | Improved | 33 | Grade D · Crossover RCT, 2018 | Adults with type 2 diabetes (Spain) |
| Fasting serum uric acid in people with high uric acid | Improved | 31 | Grade D · Crossover RCT, 2019 | Japanese adults with asymptomatic hyperuricemia (fasting uric acid above 7.0 but below 9.0 mg/dL) |
| Urine calcium in kidney-stone patients with high bone turnover | Improved | 23 | Grade D · RCT, 2022 | Adults aged 18-65 with calcium kidney stones, high urine calcium and osteopenia or osteoporosis (Spain) |
| Quality of life during breast cancer chemotherapy | Improved | 14 | Grade D · Pilot RCT, 2010 | Women with invasive ductal breast cancer receiving chemotherapy (Croatia) |
Every graded row
6 rowsShowing 6 of 6 outcomes. Human trials only.
DGrade DRise in uric acid after a purine-rich mealUric acidTrend onlyCrossover RCT
n 48 · 2020
Mixed The rise in serum uric acid after the meal (incremental area under the curve) was lower with phytic acid only at p < 0.10, a trend rather than a conventionally significant result.
- Design
- Crossover RCT, n = 48, 2020
- Population
- Healthy adults with normal fasting uric acid
- Form
- Phytic acid drink vs control drink
- Dose
- Not stated in the abstract
- Duration
- Single dose with a purine-rich meal; uric acid measured for 360 minutes
- Source
- Reference 7 · PubMed 31469027 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DAdiponectin and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetesBlood sugarHigher adiponectinCrossover RCT
n 39 · 2023
Improved Adiponectin was higher and HbA1c lower after the IP6 period; TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta did not differ.
- Design
- Crossover RCT, n = 39, 2023
- Population
- Adults with type 2 diabetes (Spain)
- Form
- IP6 supplements vs no IP6, no placebo
- Dose
- Not stated in the abstract
- Duration
- 3 months per period
- Source
- Reference 3 · PubMed 36854678 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DHbA1c and advanced glycation end-products in type 2 diabetesBlood sugarLower HbA1c and AGEsCrossover RCT
n 33 · 2018
Improved Circulating AGEs and HbA1c were lower after the IP6 period than the non-IP6 period; iron and transferrin did not differ after adjustment.
- Design
- Crossover RCT, n = 33, 2018
- Population
- Adults with type 2 diabetes (Spain)
- Form
- Calcium-magnesium IP6 capsules vs no IP6 (low-phytate diet), no placebo
- Dose
- 380 mg capsule three times daily with meals (full text)
- Duration
- 12 weeks per period, 12-week washout
- Source
- Reference 2 · PubMed 29941991 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DFasting serum uric acid in people with high uric acidUric acidLower fasting uric acidCrossover RCT
n 31 · 2019
Improved Fasting serum uric acid was lower in the IP6 period than the placebo period (p < 0.05); the urinary uric acid to creatinine ratio did not change.
- Design
- Crossover RCT, n = 31, 2019
- Population
- Japanese adults with asymptomatic hyperuricemia (fasting uric acid above 7.0 but below 9.0 mg/dL)
- Form
- IP6 drink vs placebo drink
- Dose
- 600 mg twice daily (1,200 mg/day)
- Duration
- 2 weeks per period, 2-week washout
- Source
- Reference 1 · PubMed 31119466 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DUrine calcium in kidney-stone patients with high bone turnoverUrine calciumAbout a quarter less urine calciumRCT
n 23 · 2022
Improved Urine calcium fell to 226 +/- 45 mg/24 h vs 304 +/- 58 mg/24 h in controls (p < 0.05); the bone-resorption marker beta-CrossLaps ended lower with IP6 (0.57 vs 0.77 ng/mL) after starting higher (1.25 vs 0.57 ng/mL).
- Design
- RCT, n = 23, 2022
- Population
- Adults aged 18-65 with calcium kidney stones, high urine calcium and osteopenia or osteoporosis (Spain)
- Form
- Calcium-magnesium IP6 capsule vs no treatment
- Dose
- 380 mg once daily
- Duration
- 3 months
- Source
- Reference 4 · PubMed 36087116 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DQuality of life during breast cancer chemotherapyChemotherapy side effectsBetter quality-of-life scoresPilot RCT
n 14 · 2010
Improved Quality of life (p = 0.05) and functional status (p = 0.0003) scores were better with IP6 plus inositol; the IP6 group had no drop in white cell or platelet counts, and red cell counts and tumour markers were unchanged in both groups.
- Design
- Pilot RCT, n = 14, 2010
- Population
- Women with invasive ductal breast cancer receiving chemotherapy (Croatia)
- Form
- IP6 plus inositol vs placebo
- Dose
- Not stated in the abstract
- Duration
- During chemotherapy
- Source
- Reference 5 · PubMed 20152024 (opens PubMed)
Intravenous IP6 drug in dialysis (SNF472)
2 notesA drug given into a vein during hemodialysis under medical care, not an oral supplement.
- Heart and valve calcification
- In a 52-week phase 2b trial that randomized 274 people on hemodialysis, SNF472 (300 or 600 mg three times a week) slowed the rise in coronary artery calcium volume (11% vs 20% with placebo) and aortic valve calcium (14% vs 98%), but not thoracic aorta calcium. Adverse events were similar (86–92% vs 87%); 7 people (4%) died on SNF472 and 5 (6%) on placebo.89
- Bone density
- In the same trial, bone density fell modestly in all groups over a year and appeared to fall more with 600 mg; clinical fractures were few (4 of 90 on placebo, 3 of 92 on 300 mg and 6 of 91 on 600 mg).9
What the numbers add up to
Each point is worked out from the data and the sources numbered on this page, with the arithmetic shown under it. It adds no new data and is not medical advice.
Three placebo trials, all small
Mineral binding cuts both ways
Studied doses
Doses used in research, shown against the official limits. They describe the studies, not a recommendation for you.
Studied doses in research, not advice. These are amounts used in research, not personal advice. Your clinician or pharmacist can say what fits you.
Doses studied in human trials
Interactions and safety
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
What IP6 meets
1 cited row 2 tested togetherMedicines 0
No medicine rows in our sources.
Supplements and foods 3
- Measured in a human study
- Tested together in a graded trial
Choose a medicine or supplement above to read its cited rows here.
Also cited: 2 tested together
IronIron page
PK studyMeasured in a human study
Iron (and other minerals) taken at the same time, for example iron supplements, iron-fortified foods: Phytate added to a wheat roll reduced iron absorption by 18-82% depending on the amount; vitamin C counteracted part of the effect. IP6 taken with iron pills or iron-rich meals may therefore reduce how much iron is absorbed. Effects on zinc and calcium were not measured in the cited human study. A 2026 review of 8 human studies found that lower-phytate bread raised iron absorption after a meal, but longer trials did not improve iron status unless the bread was also iron-fortified.
Source 6, Am J Clin Nutr (1989); Source 10, Front Nutr (2026)
InositolInositol page
Tested together
Quality of life during breast cancer chemotherapy. Graded on the IP6 page; tested together is not a claim that they work better together.
L-MethionineL-Methionine page
Tested together
Stone and infection recurrence with urine acidification. Graded on the L-Methionine page; tested together is not a claim that they work better together.
Interactions
1 agent| Agent | What the source says | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Other supplements1 | ||
| Iron (and other minerals) taken at the same timee.g. iron supplements, iron-fortified foods | Phytate added to a wheat roll reduced iron absorption by 18-82% depending on the amount; vitamin C counteracted part of the effect. IP6 taken with iron pills or iron-rich meals may therefore reduce how much iron is absorbed. Effects on zinc and calcium were not measured in the cited human study. A 2026 review of 8 human studies found that lower-phytate bread raised iron absorption after a meal, but longer trials did not improve iron status unless the bread was also iron-fortified.610 | PK study |
Check with what you take
Kept on this device onlyAdd what you take. We list every interaction our evidence profiles cite between IP6 and your picks, and between your picks.
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Add a supplement or medicine you take to check it against IP6.
Starting from one medicine? The interaction checker rates how serious each pair is, on a curated list of 19 entries for 11 medicines. This cabinet has no severity rating: it lists every interaction row our supplement pages cite.
Who should be careful
6 groups- People with low iron or anemia
- Phytate strongly inhibits iron absorption from a meal (by 18% at only 2 mg of phytate phosphorus and 82% at 250 mg), so IP6 supplements may make low iron harder to correct. Blood iron did not change in one 12-week diabetes trial, but people with low iron were not studied.62
- People with diabetes on glucose-lowering drugs
- HbA1c fell in two small diabetes trials; one patient had a severe low-sugar episode during the non-IP6 period, so no link to IP6 was shown, but blood sugar should be watched if anything changes.23
- People with cancer
- The only cancer trial was a 14-person pilot of IP6 plus inositol added to chemotherapy; it has not been tested as a substitute for cancer care.5
- Kidney failure and dialysis
- The only dialysis trials used SNF472, an intravenous IP6 drug given under medical care. Oral IP6 supplements have not been tested in kidney failure.8
- Drug interactions
- No published drug-interaction studies were found; the documented interaction is with iron absorption.6
How to read the label
What to check on the Supplement Facts panel.
How to read the label
2 checksIP6 is not inositol
IP6 is inositol carrying six phosphate groups. Myo-inositol products used for PCOS are a different supplement; some IP6 products add inositol, as in the chemotherapy pilot.5
Where to buy IP6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate, Phytate)
Products from brands we partner with that contain IP6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate, Phytate). Check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
IP6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate, Phytate) products from partner brands
1 product Paid links · we earn a commission- Quick pickHerbsProSource Naturals IP-6 Inositol Hexaphosphate, 800 mg, 45 Tabs
3 tablets: 3.48 g calcium-magnesium inositol hexaphosphate yielding 2.4 g IP-6 (with 590 mg calcium and 94 mg magnesium)
$10.15one-timeChecked Oct 15, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions; the numbers link to the sources below.
Common questions
5 answersCan IP6 reduce calcification or kidney stones?
Does IP6 block iron absorption?
Yes. Phytate reduced iron absorption from a roll by 18-82% depending on the dose; vitamin C partly offset this.6
Is there evidence for IP6 in cancer?
Only a 14-person pilot of IP6 plus inositol alongside chemotherapy, which reported better quality-of-life scores. No trial has tested it as a cancer therapy on its own.5
Is IP6 safe, and what are the side effects?
Is IP6 the same as inositol?
No. IP6 is inositol with six phosphate groups attached (phytate). Myo-inositol supplements are a separate product, though some IP6 products include inositol.5
Sources
10 sources: trial abstracts, NIH fact sheets and reference databases. Numbers in the text link here.
Sources cited on this page
10 sources- 1Effect of Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP(6)) on Serum Uric Acid in Hyperuricemic Subjects: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study.Crossover RCT Plant Foods Hum Nutr, 2019 · PMID 31119466
- 2Phytate Decreases Formation of Advanced Glycation End-Products in Patients with Type II Diabetes: Randomized Crossover Trial.Crossover RCT Sci Rep, 2018 · PMID 29941991
- 3Daily phytate intake increases adiponectin levels among patients with diabetes type 2: a randomized crossover trial.Crossover RCT Nutr Diabetes, 2023 · PMID 36854678
- 4Effect of phytate on hypercalciuria secondary to bone resorption in patients with urinary stones: pilot study.RCT Urolithiasis, 2022 · PMID 36087116
- 5Efficacy of IP6 + inositol in the treatment of breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: prospective, randomized, pilot clinical study.Pilot RCT J Exp Clin Cancer Res, 2010 · PMID 20152024
- 6Iron absorption in man: ascorbic acid and dose-dependent inhibition by phytate.PK study Am J Clin Nutr, 1989 · PMID 2911999
- 7Effect of phytic acid on postprandial serum uric acid level in healthy volunteers: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study.Crossover RCT Nucleosides Nucleotides Nucleic Acids, 2020 · PMID 31469027
- 8Slowing Progression of Cardiovascular Calcification With SNF472 in Patients on Hemodialysis: Results of a Randomized Phase 2b Study.RCT Circulation, 2020 · PMID 31707860
- 9Effects of Myo-inositol Hexaphosphate (SNF472) on Bone Mineral Density in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis: An Analysis of the Randomized, Placebo-Controlled CaLIPSO Study.RCT Clin J Am Soc Nephrol, 2021 · PMID 33835939
- 10Effects of sourdough- or regular-bread fermentation, and phytate reduction on iron bioavailability, absorption, and iron status in humans: a systematic review of intervention studies.Systematic review Front Nutr, 2026 · PMID 42163962
What changed
Every dated change to this page: what changed, who made it and why.
Change log
3 entries| Date | Change | Who and why |
|---|---|---|
| evidence, research notes, key facts, interactions, who should avoid, FAQ, questions, related | Added a 2020 placebo-controlled crossover of a phytic acid drink and post-meal uric acid in 48 healthy adults (trend only, grade D; Otsuka co-authors). Added research notes on SNF472, an intravenous IP6 drug that slowed heart and valve calcification in a 274-person dialysis trial, with its bone-density analysis, and a kidney-failure note. Added a 2026 systematic review to the iron interaction (lower-phytate bread raised iron absorption after meals but not iron status over 12 weeks). Corrected the urine-calcium headline from about one-third to about a quarter (226 vs 304 mg/24 h). Pregnancy note now says no reliable data and no LactMed entry. Replaced two FAQ items that repeated automatic questions with calcification and safety; added page questions and goal-hub links. LiverTox, LactMed, NCCIH and MedlinePlus have no IP6 or phytate entry; no new drug interactions found. Searched PubMed for 2023–2026 meta-analyses and trials of oral IP6: none newer than the 2023 adiponectin trial qualified. | Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: A–Z audit against docs/supplements/AUDIT-STANDARD.md |
| all | Initial editorial evidence review (first draft). Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities esummary (titles and years taken from the record, none retracted) and the abstract read for each cited row. Studied doses are reported as research doses, not dosing advice. | Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: new page |
| evidence, safety | Adversarial review: Otsuka ties stated precisely (three of four authors); uric acid single small trial regraded C to D; breast cancer pilot blood-count and kidney-stone beta-CrossLaps results corrected to the abstracts; Salvat capsule source named; iron-deficiency caution tightened. | Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: adversarial review |
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