Should you take a DIM Supplement? [Review]

DIM supplements have been shown to inhibit the development of some forms of cancer and support healthy estrogen metabolism.

3,3′ diindolylmethane (DIM) is synthesized in the digestive tract from indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a substance that occurs naturally in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Stomach acids act on I3C to create a dimeric condensation, diindolylmethane.

While you can eat more Brassica vegetables to naturally supplement your diet with DIM, research suggests you would need to consume 2 pounds of vegetables a day to glean sufficient doses of this compound to experience beneficial effects.

Oral DIM supplements in capsule or tablet form may be more convenient for deriving active dosages of this compound.

In addition to reducing risk factors for hormone-sensitive cancers, DIM is also used for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and for the prevention of BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy); a condition which causes the prostate to become enlarged.

While some of the research has been very promising as to the benefits of supplementing with I3C or DIM, there have been some contradictory results. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms of action.

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

Top DIM Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

DIM Supplements

DIM supplements show a number of health-boosting properties in clinical trials.

These include: antiarthritic, anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, antioxidant, antiparasitic, CYP-modifying, chemopreventive and anticancer mechanism of action.

Diindolylmethane supplements are now being researched in large-scale human trials by the National Cancer Institute of the USA.

The effects of DIM are largely driven by its ability to regulate levels of estrogen in the body. Dysfunction in estrogen metabolism is linked to a number of health risks for both men and women.

Certain breast, uterine and prostate cancer cell lines are known to be hormone-sensitive and excessive levels of estrogen have been linked to increased risk of these cancers. DIM has been shown to improve the body’s estrogen balance and support detoxification functions.

One of the ways that DIM supplements work is by affecting levels of different types of estrogens in the body. Estradiol is sometimes considered a “strong” or a “bad” type of estrogen metabolite that is more likely to result in tumor growth.

Estriol has been called a “weak” or “good” estrogen metabolite because it does not promote tumor growth. When there is more Estriol in the body than Estradiol, it effectively blocks the potentially cancer-causing effects of this bad metabolite by binding to estrogen receptors in its place.

In research studies, administering either DIM or I3C has been found to increase the body’s ratio of Estriol to Estradiol. In one study, taking DIM supplements resulted in an increase in conversion of Estradiol to Estriol by 50%.

Not only can this block the hormone-sensitive response that prompts the development of cancerous cells, in studies it has been shown to cause these cells to self-destruct. According to the Strang Cancer Research Laboratory at Rockefeller University, DIM stimulates apoptosis in cancer cells, thereby inhibiting its growth.

DIM Supplement Research Review

A number of trials show chemopreventive and anticancer effects of DIM supplementation. Diindolylmethane seems to act against various cancer cell lines in the following ways:

• Preventing oncogenesis and the growth of cancerous cells;
• In-vitro and in-vivo induction of cellular apoptosis in tumor cells;
• Changing the expression variables of miRNA (micro RNA);
• Suppressing mutations of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor);
• Ceasing activity in AKT and ERK pathways;
• Preventing angiogenesis via the disruption of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor);
• Limiting toxic byproducts from metabolism of CYP1A1 procarcinogens;
• Increasing TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand) sensitivity;
• Upregulating the expression of NAG-1 (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug activated gene-1);
• Increasing ATF3 (activating transcription factor 3);
• Upregulating the phosphorylation of cancer cell beta-carotene levels;
• Stimulating cellular apoptosis (natural death) in acute myelogenous leukemia cells;
• Targeting NUr77 (nerve growth factor IB) to induce apoptosis and prevent tumor growth;

Oral DIM administration seems to act quite strongly against breast cancer in particular. In various studies, diindolylmethane supplementation has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer by:

• Inducing breast cancer cell apoptosis without being affected by estrogen signaling activities;
• Activating expression of COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) via AhR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) ligands, thereby decreasing tumorigenesis and inflammation;
• Displaying agonistic activity on AhR, thereby preventing various breast cancer cell responses to estradiol;
• Preventing the proliferation of estrogen-dependent breast cancer tumor cells in humans;
• Impeding estrogen signaling and inhibiting the expression of estrogen receptor-alpha;
• Inducing in vitro reductions in the mRNA expression of estrogen receptor alpha;
• Increasing the activity of caspase in mammary glands;
• Inducing cycle arrest in G1 breast cancer cells;
• Slowing down the expression of the Cdk6 gene;
• Inhibiting breast-to-lung cancer cell metastasis;
• Upregulating the release of IFN-gamma (interferon-gamma) in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells;

DIM Supplement Side Effects & Warnings

Taking DIM supplements is considered likely safe for healthy adults in small amounts similar to what is found in the average daily diet (between 2 and 24 mg daily).

Supplementation with diindolylmethane is possibly safe when administered at therapeutic doses, over short time periods (less than 12 weeks).

DIM usage has been rated possibly unsafe when used at high doses and/or for long periods of time. Headaches and gastrointestinal distress have been noted with doses of 300 mg daily and higher.

In some cases of heavy, prolonged supplementation, asymptomatic hypernatremia has developed. Asymptomatic hypernatremia is a condition of depleted sodium levels that can become deadly if not corrected.

DIM supplements may interact negatively with cytochrome P450 1A2 substrates (CYP1A2). This may cause hypermetabolism of CYP1A2 substrates, decreasing serum concentrations to very low levels.

Some common pharmaceutical CYP1A2 substrate drugs include Zyprexa, Mexitil, Flexeril, Tofranil, Luvox and Haldol.

DIM supplements are also not recommended for combining with diuretic medications. Diuretics are known to lower sodium levels, increasing the risks of developing hypernatremia.

Common diuretic agents to be mindful of include Diamox, Diuril, Thalitone, Lasix and Microzide.

Finally, DIM supplements may interact with prescription drugs which affect estrogen synthesis and/or utilization.

Concomitant usage of diindolylmethane with various hormone replacement therapies is not recommended as DIM may exhibit both estrogenic and antiestrogenic properties. Not enough is yet understood about estrogen interactions with DIM.

There are certain groups who should not take diindolylmethane without a physician’s approval beforehand. Especially if you are taking prescription medications, or you have a hormone sensitive health condition like breast cancer, consult with your doctor prior to using a DIM supplement.

Rate This Article

(4 votes, average: 3.25 out of 5, rated)