DIM Benefits for PMS, Estrogen Levels, Menopause & More

DIM benefits include improved estrogen balance and metabolism in women and men.

This supplement is believed to help lower risk factors for certain cancer, improve weight loss, relieve many female health issues and supports health testosterone levels in men.

3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM) is a plant indole synthesized from I3C via digestive enzymes in the stomach. I3C (indole-3-carbinol) is ingested from food sources in the Brassica plant family.

Cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli and cabbage contain concentrated amounts of I3C, which gets partly converted into DIM upon ingestion.

Eating these foods have been associated with lowering the risks of developing various cancers.

One can also attain the benefits of DIM by taking supplements that contain this ingredient. The US National Cancer Institute has sponsored large-scaled research trials to further investigate the effects of DIM.

At present, this supplement shows positive effects for colorectal, uterine and breast cancers.

DIM is believed to be effective at more than combating the development and progression of cancer. It is also demonstrating antioxidant, analgesic, antiarthritic, antiparasitic and various other medicinal properties.

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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DIM Benefits for Combating Cancer

Most of the currently available research into DIM supplements has to do with its cancer fighting effects.

Studies have shown this supplement to exhibit anti-tumor effects, working to inhibit the progression cancers.

In both in vitro and in vivo studies, the following results have been reported:

• DIM may promote cellular apoptosis (cell death) in tumor cells;

• It may limit angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) to existing tumor cells, preventing the delivery of nutrients necessary for tumors to grow;

• It regulates VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), Akt and NF-?B;

• It modulates the action on the AR (androgen receptor) pathway;

• It has been shown to inhibit S-phase proteasome actions;

• DIM upregulates BRCA1 (tumor suppressor protein) expression;

• Promotes stress responses in endoplasmic reticulum;

• Regulates the expression of estrogen-induced genes;

DIM has shown a number of other anti-cancer and chemo-preventative effects in research studies. However, the FDA has not yet approved diindolylmethane for cancer treatment.

It is used by some natural health practitioners as an adjunct therapy, but more research is needed to determine its effectiveness.

Most published research studies used 600 mg doses of DIM each day for 28 consecutive days for preventing/treating cancers. However, this dosage level is considered to be possibly unsafe and should be administered only under supervision of a qualified health care expert.

Benefits of DIM on Estrogen Levels

DIM is believed to promote a healthy balance of estrogen levels. It is said to increase the good forms of estrogen metabolites while reducing levels of bad estrogen metabolites. It does this by increasing activity of the 2-hydroxy estrone pathway.

One noted effect of DIM is to increase free testosterone levels in the blood.

DIM also acts as a natural aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase is an enzyme that causes the hormone androgen to be converted into estrogen.

By decreasing levels of estrogen (particularly in postmenopausal women), this supplement may be able to reduce the growth of certain types of breast cancer cells.

Hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer is a type of cancer that is sensitive to estrogen levels. DIM supplements have been suggested as a way to reduce the risk for this type of cancer from forming, along with other benefits that are linked to its effects as an aromatase inhibitor.

DIM Uses for Women and Men

Other current uses for diindolylmethane include treating the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). By controlling levels of estrogen, this supplement may be able to reduce the severity and occurrence of PMS symptoms.

It may also help to improve menstrual irregularities, menopause symptoms, breast tenderness and pain in women, improve libido, alleviate excess water retention and reduce the risk of uterine fibroids.

All of these are conditions that are linked to imbalances in estrogen levels in women. The supplement may also help to promote weight loss in women with Estrogen Dominance.

In men, DIM is commonly used by bodybuilders and athletes to improve free testosterone levels. This can improve libido, promote muscle building, and help to combat gynocomastia (male breast growth). DIM benefits for men are also being researched for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate).

It has also been implicated as a possible treatment for recurrent respiratory papillomas (RRP); a condition where the upper respiratory regions develop multiple tumors.

Diindolylmethane demonstrates an array of therapeutic properties in research tests. Some of the mechanisms of action associated with DIM include the following:

• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antiparasitic
• Antiarthritic
• Hormone-balancing
• CYP-modifying

Dangers of DIM Supplements

DIM is safe for most people to use, provided that the appropriate dosage is taken.

Remember that this compound is created naturally when foods such as broccoli and cauliflower are consumed.

The average daily dietary production of DIM is between 2 and 24 milligrams. Supplementation in these amounts, taken orally, is classified as likely safe.

No side effects have been noted with doses in this daily range for up to twelve weeks. For higher doses delivered in clinical settings, doses of 300 mg daily for twelve weeks have been associated with nausea and headaches.

Hyponatremia

Doses of 600 mg daily and above have been linked to the possibility of hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is a condition where sodium levels become deficient, and resulting side effects may onset.

More specifically, when serum sodium levels drop below 135 mEq/L, hyponatremia is diagnosed and the following symptoms become possible:

• Confusion, irritability and/or neurological deterioration;
• Lacking motor skills, especially the ability to walk normally;
• Falling down often and/or slowed reactions;
• Osteoporosis;
• Headaches and/or nausea;
• Brain edema (swelling);
• Brain disease;
• Seizures, coma and death;

It is notable that only two cases of hyponatremia have been linked to diindolylmethane supplementation, and one of these cases is believed to have been pre-existing.

Hyponatremia is also associated adverse health conditions and diseases including congestive heart failure, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, pneumonia, kidney disease, liver failure and more.

Can Pregnant Women Use DIM?

In doses that correspond to the natural amounts of DIM gained through the diet, it seems safe for nursing and pregnant women. Children also seem to tolerate small doses for up to twelve weeks very well.

There is insufficient research concerning higher doses for these groups and supplementation should always be discussed with a doctor.

Possible Drug Contraindications

Supplementing with oral DIM capsules may not be equally safe for all people. There are possible contraindications with various pharmaceutical drugs.

Cytochrome P450 substrates, estrogen and diuretics may all interact negatively with diindolylmethane. Some very serious side effects are possible if stacking these combinations.

There are not any known negative interactions between DIM and other herbal remedies or natural health supplements. Always seek out the advice of your doctor before taking diindolylmethane.

While DIM benefits may show positive effects for certain medical conditions, it has not been approved as a treatment for any specific disease or ailment.

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