(DIM)
Diindolylmethane is formed in the body through digestion of plant substances contained in “cruciferous” vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli. Scientists think these vegetables may help to protect the body against cancer because they contain diindolylmethane and a related chemical called indole-3-carbinol. (1)
AFFECTS IN THE BODY
DIM has the biological properties listed in the chart below. Because of its various potential anticancer properties, including estrogen metabolism, the National Cancer Institute of the United States has begun clinical trials of DIM as a therapeutic for numerous forms of cancer including breast cancer. (2)
HEALTHY ESTROGEN METABOLISM
The standard explanation for the association of cumulative, excessive estrogen exposure and breast cancer risk is that estrogen and perhaps progesterone affect the rate of cell division; and thus manifest their effect on the risk of breast cancer by causing proliferation of breast epithelial cells. Proliferating cells are susceptible to genetic errors during DNA replication which, if uncorrected, can ultimately lead to a malignant phenotype. (3) Oxidative metabolites of estrogens have been implicated in the development of breast cancer, thus addressing estrogen metabolism can be a method of prevention.
According to National Cancer Institute: “Diindolylmethane promotes beneficial estrogen metabolism in both sexes by reducing the levels of 16-hydroxy estrogen metabolites (“bad estrogens”) and increasing the formation of 2-hydroxy estrogen metabolites (“good estrogens”), resulting in increased antioxidant activity.”
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
DIM supplementation has been shown to alter estrogen urinary metabolites in women. In a prospective placebo-controlled pilot study 19 post-menopausal women with a history of early stage breast cancer were randomized to receive 108mg DIM or placebo for thirty days. Urinary metabolite analysis was conducted for 2-hydroxyestrone (2OHE-1), 16-alpha hydroxyestrone (16alpha=OHE-1), DIM, estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 6beta-hydroxycortisol (6betaOHC) and cortisol. The treatment group demonstrated significant increases in levels of 2-OHE1 (P=0.020), DIM (P=0.045), and cortisol (P=0.039) and a non-significant increase in the 2-OHE1/16alpha-OHE1 ratio from 1.46 to 2.14 (P=0.059). The results of this study demonstrate that DIM supplementation increases 2-hydroxylation of urinary estrogen metabolites. But whether this translates to reduced cancer risk has not been confirmed. (4)
Evidence continues to build supporting the use of DIM and its potential as a therapeutic agent in breast cancer prevention and possible treatment. The standard recommended dosage of bioavailable DIM for women is 100-200 mg of DIM daily. Men typically need a higher dose than women, such as 200-400 mg per day.
A review of active clinical trials involving DIM:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/search?term=diindolylmethane
Additional reading on Healthy Estrogen Metabolism and DIM:
http://www.dimfaq.com/
References:
The standard explanation for the association of cumulative, excessive estrogen exposure and breast cancer risk is that estrogen and perhaps progesterone affect the rate of cell division; and thus manifest their effect on the risk of breast cancer by causing proliferation of breast epithelial cells. Proliferating cells are susceptible to genetic errors during DNA replication which, if uncorrected, can ultimately lead to a malignant phenotype. (3) Oxidative metabolites of estrogens have been implicated in the development of breast cancer, thus addressing estrogen metabolism can be a method of prevention.
According to National Cancer Institute: “Diindolylmethane promotes beneficial estrogen metabolism in both sexes by reducing the levels of 16-hydroxy estrogen metabolites (“bad estrogens”) and increasing the formation of 2-hydroxy estrogen metabolites (“good estrogens”), resulting in increased antioxidant activity.”
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
DIM supplementation has been shown to alter estrogen urinary metabolites in women. In a prospective placebo-controlled pilot study 19 post-menopausal women with a history of early stage breast cancer were randomized to receive 108mg DIM or placebo for thirty days. Urinary metabolite analysis was conducted for 2-hydroxyestrone (2OHE-1), 16-alpha hydroxyestrone (16alpha=OHE-1), DIM, estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 6beta-hydroxycortisol (6betaOHC) and cortisol. The treatment group demonstrated significant increases in levels of 2-OHE1 (P=0.020), DIM (P=0.045), and cortisol (P=0.039) and a non-significant increase in the 2-OHE1/16alpha-OHE1 ratio from 1.46 to 2.14 (P=0.059). The results of this study demonstrate that DIM supplementation increases 2-hydroxylation of urinary estrogen metabolites. But whether this translates to reduced cancer risk has not been confirmed. (4)
Evidence continues to build supporting the use of DIM and its potential as a therapeutic agent in breast cancer prevention and possible treatment. The standard recommended dosage of bioavailable DIM for women is 100-200 mg of DIM daily. Men typically need a higher dose than women, such as 200-400 mg per day.
A review of active clinical trials involving DIM:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/search?term=diindolylmethane
Additional reading on Healthy Estrogen Metabolism and DIM:
http://www.dimfaq.com/
References:
1. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1049-DIINDOLYLMETHANE.aspxactiveIngredientId=1049&activeIngredientName=DIINDOLYLMETHANE
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3%2C3%27-Diindolylmethane
3. Afr J Reprod Health. 2006 Apr;10(1):13-25.
4. Nutr Cancer. 2004;50(2):161-7.
Image courtesy of http://bonnieplants.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/brussels-sprouts-growing-lo.jpg
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3%2C3%27-Diindolylmethane
3. Afr J Reprod Health. 2006 Apr;10(1):13-25.
4. Nutr Cancer. 2004;50(2):161-7.
Image courtesy of http://bonnieplants.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/brussels-sprouts-growing-lo.jpg
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