What You Need to Know about DIM

An optimal “estrogen balance” is critically important for cancer prevention and healthy aging in both women and men. Exposure to xenoestrogens found in plastics as well as changes in hormone production during aging can cause unbalanced hormone levels.

DIM (diindolylmethane), a metabolic byproduct of I3C (indole-3-carbinol), is a compound found in broccoli, cabbage and other vegetables in the Brassicacae family. Combined with I3C and other indole related compounds it provides a wide range of nutritional support for processing estrogen metabolites and supporting healthy levels of estrogen. These metabolites come from sex hormones (DHEA, Testosterone, Estriol, and Estradiol) and it is only with the addition of cruciferous derived compounds that these bad metabolites can be cleared to ensure the prevention of estrogen-related side effects.

Studies show that diindolylmethane (DIM) contributes significantly to, not only the balancing of hormones, but also to the prevention of abnormal cell growth. Additional scientific research with diindolylmethane has shown that it shrinks abnormal cells and tumors in areas of the body affected by hormone imbalance, like the breasts and prostate. There are currently clinical trials sponsored by the National Institutes of Health that are focusing on using DIM to treat breast, cervical and prostate cancer.

DIM is also believed to fight chronic inflammation in the body, especially as it ages. With inflammation, it gets harder for the body to absorb nutrients from food, keep its immune system under control, and fight pain.

For dietary management of high estrogen, it helps to increase consumption of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables which increase fiber, avoid unnecessary xenoestrogens from foods laden with chemicals and hormones, and stop drinking water bottled in plastic. Reducing dairy intake is also a good idea. Dairy puts extra stress on the lymphatic system and it is important to not tax the body’s ability to release toxins.

While eating more broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and cauliflower, can help, studies indicate you would have to eat at least two pounds per day of raw or lightly cooked cruciferous vegetables to derive the same benefit as two capsules of specially formulated DIM.  Benefits for cervical dysplasia, PMS, BPH, and other conditions have not been seen with the use of broccoli, cabbage juice, or dried powders or extracts from vegetables. Absorbable DIM supplement formulations overcome the need to rely on active enzymes within the vegetable and chemical reactions in your stomach to produce DIM.