Diindolylmethane Side Effects, Health Warnings & Interactions

If used at the appropriate dosages over short time periods, there are no apparent diindolylmethane side effects to be concerned about.

Diindolylmethane (DIM) is prdocued in the body when indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is converted by gastric enzymes in the stomach.

I3C is a natural substance found mainly in cruciferous vegetables from the Brassica plant family. These include cabbage, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, cauliflower and others.

Both I3C and DIM have been implicated as possible anticancer and chemopreventive agents, and both are under current study by the US National Cancer Institute. As large-scale human trials continue, data continues to show various medicinal properties.

To date, DIM has demonstrated antioxidant, anticancer, antiangiogenic, antiproliferative, chemopreventive, antiarthritic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and CYP-modifying effects.

As a natural compound, Diindolylmethane side effects are rare and this supplement is well tolerated by most health adults.

However, there may be some contraindications or interactions and you should speak to your doctor before using this or any natural supplement.

DIM

Hormone Supplement

Estrogen

Testo- sterone

Body- building

How It Works:

• Aids healthy hormone balance for men & women
• Mitigates some effects of excess estrogen
• Anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory benefits

Dosage:

Between 100 - 600 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Diindolylmethane Side Effects

The average human diet supplies between 2 and 24 milligrams of diindolylmethane via I3C daily.

When DIM supplements are administered orally, they are not reported to cause any serious side effects.

This has been clinically verified with supplementation programs lasting up to twelve weeks.

DIM is accepted as likely safe when taken orally, but only in amounts that correspond to natural dietary intake levels.

DIM supplementation is considered possibly safe when used in clinical settings, targeting specific medicinal purposes. It has been used for up to twelve weeks in therapeutic dosages without causing any serious or lasting side effects. At doses of 300 mg daily, only headaches and gastrointestinal upset were reported.

Adverse Effects from Too Much DIM

At doses of 600 mg daily and more, DIM supplementation is considered possibly unsafe. High dosing or prolonged dosing is associated with the possibility of developing asymptomatic hyponatremia.

Hyponatremia is a condition where the sodium levels in the blood are too low. Sodium is a required electrolyte; used for regulating the amount of water that surrounds the cells, helping to modulate blood pressure, and supporting the functioning of the muscles and nerves.

When hyponatremia onsets, the following symptoms may be experienced:

• Headaches;
• Vomiting and nausea;
• Low energy levels;
• Weakness;
• Muscle cramps and/or spasms;
• Confusion and/or irritability;
• Seizures;
• Coma;

Concerning all clinical studies on diindolylmethane side effects to date, there have been two cases of asymptomatic hyponatremia reported. In one of these cases, preexisting hyponatremia was noted.

Diindolylmethane for Children, Pregnancy and Lactation

When used orally in amounts that are commonly found in the diet, DIM supplementation for children, pregnant women and lactating women is believed to be likely safe. However, there is insufficient evidence to assume that larger doses are safe.

Avoid supplementing with DIM in amounts greater than 24 grams daily if you are pregnant or lactating. You should speak to your pediatrician or obstetrician to learn more about using DIM in this instances.

Diindolylmethane Drug Contraindications

There are various pharmaceutical medications which may interact with diindolylmethane mechanisms of action.

CYP1A2 (cytochrome p450 1A2) substrates may cause minor interactions with DIM supplements. Be careful if you are stacking this combination.

DIM may affect CYP1A2 and therefore may cause serum levels to drop too low via upregulated CYP1A2 metabolism. Several commonly prescribed CYP1A2 substrate medications include Flexeril, Talwin, Zyprexa, Tofranil, Clozaril, Luvox, Cognex, Haldol and Zyflo.

Also, diindolylmethane side effects may onset if it is mixed with diuretic agents. Diuretics increase urination and are known to possibly lower sodium levels.

Because DIM is associated with hyponatremia (low sodium), stacking it with diuretics is not generally recommended. Some common diuretic medications in use include Diamox, Diuril, Thalitone, Microzide, HCTZ, Lasix and HydroDIURIL.

Finally, moderate diindolylmethane side effects may occur if it is stacked with estrogenic drugs. In clinical studies, DIM has demonstrated both anti-estrogenic and estrogenic actions.

In theory, concomitant supplementation with estrogen and DIM may cause interferences with the effectiveness of commonly prescribed hormone replacement therapies.

There are no known negative interactions between DIM and other herbaceous medicines. Likewise, there are no interactions with foods and/or laboratory tests.

There are some possibilities of diindolylmethane side effects with hormone sensitive conditions and/or cancers. Because of its possible estrogenic actions, DIM could worsen some conditions and diseases like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis and/or uterine fibroids.

On the other hand, early science seems to indicate DIM as an antiestrogenic agent that may help to protect patients from the development of cancers which are hormone dependent.

Until more evidence is generated, women with hormone sensitive conditions should not supplement with DIM.

Diindolylmethane Side Effects: Conclusions

Research into DIM continues to show that it possesses multiple medicinal properties that are capable of bringing about health benefits. It seems to be a very promising anticancer and chemopreventive agent.

While it has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer, it is occasionally used by western doctors as a first-line prevention of breast cancer, uterine cancer and colorectal cancer.

It is also used to treat premenstrual syndrome symptoms and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). All people considering supplementing with DIM should first consult with their doctors.

Diindolylmethane side effects are rare and generally mild, but some interactions can occur and some individuals may be contraindicated against use.

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