Di-Indolyl-Methane (DIM) Fact Sheet
About Di-Indolyl-Methane (DIM)
DIM is a plant indole found in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage. In animals it is able to help prevent certain forms of cancer, and it also helps reduce the risk of breast cancer by helping to excrete estrogen in the non-carcinogenic form.
Di-Indolyl-Methane (DIM) and Aging
DIM is able to stimulate a more effective estrogen metabolism, allowing more of the “good estrogen metabolites” to be available in the body. These are able to help protect the heart and brain. This also reduces the level of the “bad estrogen metabolites” or 16-hydroxy estrone, which can increase the risk of weight gain or obesity and estrogen-related cancers, which often occur with aging.
How Can I Add Di-Indolyl-Methane (DIM) to my Diet?
The amount of food needed to be consumed is large. DIM is found in cruciferous vegetables and the female dosage is 100-300mg per day. To attain this amount of DIM you would need to eat 500G of broccoli or cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and green cabbage daily.
How much Di-Indolyl-Methane (DIM) Should I Take?
The female dosage is 1-3 tablets twice daily (100-300mg) and for men, the dose is 3-4 tablets twice a day (300-500mg). DIM should be taken with meals with a full glass of water. Coffee intake should be limited.
A urine analysis of the type of estrogen being excreted can be measured. It is advisable to do this before one starts taking DIM and then after taking to measure the effectiveness of the dose.
The main function of DIM is that it increases the production of “good estrogen metabolites” and reduces the production of “bad estrogen metabolites”. DIM shifts estrogen metabolism by increasing the production of 2-hydroxy estrone and 2-methoxyestrogen by up to 75% and decreases the production of 16-hydroxy estrone by 50% (bad metabolite).The ratio of these excretion products can be measured and increased by altering the dose.
Side Effects
There are no risks in taking DIM. Side effects are extremely uncommon but may include dizziness or headache. These can be alleviated by dose.
Contraindications
DIM may interact with certain medications, including medications for indigestion or stomach ulcers.
Last Reviewed 11/Mar/2014
