Did you eat enough cruciferous vegetables today? BTW, in case you did not know, cruciferous vegetables are vegetables of the family Brassicaceae with many genera, species, and cultivars being raised for food production such as cauliflower, cabbage, kale, garden cress, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and similar green leafy vegetables.
What are DIM supplements?
When you eat cruciferous vegetables, your stomach acid breaks down a compound called indole-3-carbinol to produce a new compound called DIM. It is to help balance estrogen levels in your body, avoid weight gain and reduce the risk of cancer and more.
While cruciferous vegetables are the primary food source of DIM, you would need to eat several servings every day. As a result, people looking to treat a specific condition like acne or prostate issues may seek a concentrated dose in the form of a DIM supplement.
So, DIM is a compound your body makes from cruciferous vegetables. While more research is needed, it’s thought to help balance hormone levels via its effects on estrogen.
DIM supplements are being studied for their protective effects against certain cancers. They’re also used to help prevent prostate enlargement, treat acne, aid weight loss, and reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause symptoms.
May have anticancer effects
Test-tube and animal studies suggest that DIM supplements may help prevent the growth and spread of breast cancer cells. A yearlong study gave 130 women with breast cancer on tamoxifen therapy either a placebo or 150 mg of DIM twice a day. DIM supplements resulted in a significantly improved ratio of two types of estrogen — 2-hydroxyestrone and 16-hydrozyestrone. Although research is ongoing, increasing the ratio of 2-hydrozyestrone to 16-hydrozyesterone may reduce breast cancer risk and cause anti-tumor effects .
May protect against prostate issues
DIM supplements may safeguard against prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. In fact, it may help combat prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), a condition that’s characterized by prostate cell growth and considered to be a precursor to prostate cancer. In a 12-month study, 21 men with high-grade PIN were given either a placebo or 900 mg of DIM per day. Those given DIM experienced significant improvements in prostate health, as well as PIN.
May boost weight loss
Given that estrogen plays an important role in regulating fat accumulation, DIM supplements may aid weight loss — although no human research currently supports this effect. All the same, studies link an imbalance of estrogen — either too much or too little — to an increased risk of weight gain in both men and women. Furthermore, DIM supplements may stimulate fat breakdown and inhibit fat cell formation.
May fight acne. DIM supplements are sometimes used to treat hormonal acne.
May reduce hot flashes. Hot flashes during menopause likely result from hormonal changes. While DIM supplements are used to reduce hot flashes.
May relieve PMS symptoms. PMS symptoms are thought to be due to monthly changes in estrogen levels. Again, some people use DIM supplements to reduce symptoms.
May correct estrogen imbalances in men. High levels of estrogen in men are linked to breast growth, erectile dysfunction, and infertility. DIM supplements may be effective.
Due to insufficient evidence, dosage information for DIM is lacking. Before taking these supplements, get dosage guidance from our trained healthcare providers. Please book your appointment here >>>
