DIM & Hormone Balance

Did you know that when your body digests cruciferous vegetables—such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts—it produces a powerful compound called diindolylmethane (DIM)?

This naturally occurring molecule plays an essential role in hormone metabolism, liver detoxification, and lowering systemic inflammation. 

Research suggests that DIM promotes healthy estrogen metabolism by encouraging the breakdown of estrogen from more problematic forms (ie. 4-OH & 16-OH Estrone) into a less potent and less harmful form (2-OH Estrone). (1,2)

This process can support individuals living with estrogen imbalances often linked to conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. 

DIM also exhibits anti-inflammatory and potential protective properties, making it a subject of interest as adjunctive support for breast, cervical, colon and prostate cancers. Literature suggests that exposure to DIM may improve the sensitivity of certain cancer cells to conventional chemotherapeutics, thus supporting heightened efficacy and patient outcomes. (3, 4)

Food vs. Supplementation

While consuming cruciferous vegetables would be the the ideal way to gain DIM, supplementation is often beneficial. This is especially true for those who have difficulty digesting these vegetables or require a higher dose, as is often the case for those living with estrogen dominance. To put things into perspective, you would have to eat about 10+ servings of cruciferous veggies daily in order to get the amount of DIM needed to balance elevated estrogen through food.

Is DIM Right for You?

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References:

1. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/indole-3-carbinol#biological-activities 

2. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/diindolylmethane#msk_professional 

3. Banerjee S, Kong D, Wang Z, Bao B, Hillman GG, Sarkar FH. Attenuation of multi-targeted proliferation-linked signaling by 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM): from bench to clinic. Mutat Res. 2011;728(1-2):47-66. doi:10.1016/j.mrrev.2011.06.001

4. Thomson CA, Chow HHS, Wertheim BC, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of diindolylmethane for breast cancer biomarker modulation in patients taking tamoxifen. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2017;165(1):97-107. doi:10.1007/s10549-017-4292-7