DIM (diindolylmethane)

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DIM (diindolylmethane)

 

DIM (diindolylmethane) is a plant compound called an indole, and has

been shown to help regulate and promote a more efficient metabolism

of estrogen, and an optimal ratio of estrogen metabolites. DIM

balances estrogen levels, promoting health and well-being. This

powerful phytonutrient is found in broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and

brussels sprouts, unlike other phytonutrients like soy isoflavones,

has no hormonal properties in itself.

 

Studies show it works indirectly by increasing the activity of

enzymes that control estrogen production. DIM boosts levels of " good "

estrogens called 2-hydroxy estrogens and reduces levels of " bad "

estrogens which are 16-hydroxy and 4-hydroxy estrones. Both forms

of " bad " estrogen are carcinogens, and studies show that women with

elevated levels of 16-hydroxy estrone have a high rate of breast

cancer. Men can also benefit from DIM supplementation. There's

evidence that benign prostate enlargement and some types of prostate

cancer may be related to a buildup of estrogen in that gland, not

testosterone. In overweight men because fat cells convert DHEA and

testosterone to estrogen, DIM supplementation can be especially

helpful.

 

Michael A. Zeligs, MD, California physician and researcher, makes the

argument that DIM supplementation might improve how the body uses

DHEA supplements simply through healthier estrogen metabolism. Pure

Diindolylmethane is insoluble and poorly absorbed by the human body.

Dr. Zeligs was awarded a U.S. Patent for " absorption-enhanced "

Diindolylmethane, making it the only formulation shown in humans to

improve estrogen metabolism.

Much of the research summarized here used Dr. Zeligs' absorption-

enhanced formulation, often referred to as bioavailable

(or " absorbable " ) Diindolylmethane. There are over 40 studies in

the National Library of Medicine Database which involve DIM. In 2001

alone, seven studies were published. In addition, well-controlled,

independently-performed human studies have been completed and are

awaiting publication. These include use of DIM showing statistically

significant benefits for recurrent breast pain and improvement of

cervical dysplasia.

 

Second, ICZ (indolocarbazole) is not a safe derivative of I3C. ICZ

activates the dioxin receptor just like dioxin. ICZ does not block

it. It is DIM that blocks this receptor (6). This is one of the key

benefits of using a stable DIM supplement.

 

Third, more is not necessarily better. Having a family of reactive

products being generated does not provide broader cancer protection

if many of these products also have unwanted side effects. Side

effects are tolerable in certain cancer treatment drugs for

established cancer but not in nutritional substances meant to prevent

cancer in healthy individuals.

 

Fourth, DIM is not estrogenic or a growth promoter of cancer cells

when studied in intact humans or animals. When tested in analogous

experiments, I3C failed to prevent the progression of cancer (1,2).

 

In absorbable DIM, pure (but poorly soluble) DIM is complexed with

Vitamin-E TPGS to provide for and enhance DIM's absorption. Vitamin-E

TPGS (Tocophersolan) is a well-known ingredient in foods and

pharmaceuticals. It is so safe as to appear on the Generally Regarded

As Safe (GRAS) list maintained for ingredients by the FDA. Rarely are

dietary supplement ingredients safe enough to appear on this list.

Proof of its safety has been established in extensive testing,

including testing by the NIH (3). Vitamin-E TPGS is also used to

improve the absorption of Vitamin-D (4) and Vitamin-E (5) in infants.

 

In conclusion, dietary supplementation with diindolylmethane (DIM)

from cruciferous vegetables has established an important and

effective nutritional approach to increasing the safety of estrogen.

The availability of dietary supplements containing DIM provide an

important new alternative in preventive nutrition and offer a source

of support for the hormonal systems of men and women. To be

effective, phytochemical supplements containing highly insoluble

substances like DIM require absorption enhancing formulations. DIM

supplementation can be combined with reduced alcohol intake to

provide a dietary means of reducing the risk of breast and uterine

cancer associated with HRT.(7) The supplemental use of DIM allows

women to promote and maintain a safer metabolism of estrogen. This

expands the opportunities for women to derive the full preventive

health benefits from long term hormonal replacement. DIM also

increases the safety of exposure to estrogen derived from DHEA. This

supports the rationale for long term supplementation with DHEA by

both men and women. Documented, aging-related changes in men support

their need for an improved metabolism of estrogen. (8). DIM use by

men provides a promising dietary means to minimize the impact of

increased estrogen on atherosclerosis and prostate disorders

characteristic of andropause.(9). These important benefits for

successful aging in men and women all relate to an optimal and

safer " estrogen balance " .

 

 

For more information on DIM as well as other supplements, hormones

and anti-aging therapy, go to:

 

http://www.peacefulmind.com/anti-aging_frame.htm

 

 

References:

 

1. Malejka-Giganti D; Niehans GA; Reichert MA; et al., " Post-

initiation treatment of rats with indole-3-carbinol or beta-

naphthoflavone does not suppress 7, 12-dimethylbenz [a]anthracene-

induced mammary gland carcinogenesis. " Cancer Lett 2000 Nov 28;160

(2):209-18.

 

2. Kang JS, Kim DJ, Ahn B, Nam KT, Kim KS, Choi M, Jang DD. " Post-

initiation treatment with Indole-3-carbinol did not suppress N-methyl-

N-nitrosourea induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats. " Cancer Lett.

2001 Aug 28;169(2):147-54.

 

3. Vitamin E TPGS: One year Chronic Intubation Study in Dogs,

National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, 1994, IRDC Report 560-

041.

 

4. Argao EA, Heubi JE, Hollis BW, Tsang RC. " d-Alpha-tocopheryl

polyethylene glycol-1000 succinate enhances the absorption of vitamin

D in chronic cholestatic liver disease of infancy and childhood. "

Pediatr Res. 1992 Feb;31(2):146-50.

 

5. Sokol RJ, Butler-Simon N, Conner C, Heubi JE, Sinatra FR, Suchy

FJ, Heyman MB, Perrault J, Rothbaum RJ, Levy J, et al, " Multicenter

trial of d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate for

treatment of vitamin E deficiency in children with chronic

cholestasis. " Gastroenterology. 1993 Jun;104(6):1727-35.

 

6. Chen I, Safe S, Bjeldanes L. " Indole-3-carbinol and

diindolylmethane as aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor agonists and

antagonists in T47D human breast cancer cells. " Biochem Pharmacol.

1996 Apr 26;51(8):1069-76.

 

7. Zumoff B, Does postmenopausal estrogen administration increase the

risk of breast cancer? Contributions of animal, biochemical, and

clinical investigative studies to a resolution of the controversey.

Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 1998; 217: 30-37.

 

8. Farnsworth WE, Roles of estrogen and SHBG in prostate physiology.

The Prostate 1996; 28:17-23.

 

9. Krieg M., et al., Effect of aging on endogenous levels of 5-alpha-

dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, estradiol and estrone in

epithelium and stroma of normal and hyperplastic human prostate. J.

Clin. Endocrinol. Metab 1993; 77: 375-381

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS. L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

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