Diindolylmethane

Other Names: Diindolymetano, Diidolylméthane, DIM, 3,3'-Diindolylmethane.
Diindolylmethane is produced when the body digests indole-3-carbinol, a compound found in the following vegetables:

• broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• cabbage
• cauliflower
• collard greens
• kale
• mustard greens
• watercress

Special Precautions of Diindolylmethane

• Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Diindolylmethane might act like estrogen, so there is some concern that it might make hormone-sensitive conditions worse. These conditions include breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer; endometriosis; and uterine fibroids. However, developing research also suggests that diindolylmethane might work against estrogen and could possibly be protective against hormone-dependent cancers. But stay on the safe side. Until more is known, don’t use diindolylmethane if you have a hormone-sensitive condition.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Diindolylmethane is safe when consumed in the small amounts found in foods. But don’t take larger amounts. Not enough is known about the safety of larger amounts during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with DIINDOLYLMETHANE

The benefits of Diindolylmethane are

People use diindolylmethane supplements for a number of reasons, including:

• Breast Cancer : In a small 2004 pilot study published in Nutrition and Cancer, researchers found that taking diindolylmethane supplements may provide some protection against hormone-dependent cancers by altering estrogen levels. The study involved 19 older women with a history of early-stage breast cancer.In addition, laboratory studies suggest that diindolylmethane may help inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.
• Cervical Cancer : Although some data has suggested that taking diindolylmethane supplements may slow the development of cervical cancer, a 2012 study published in the British Journal of Cancer failed to show any benefit. The study involved 551 women with newly diagnosed, low-grade abnormalities in cervical cells. For six months, participants took either diindolylmethane supplements or a placebo daily. Diindolylmethane supplements failed to have a significant beneficial effect on cervical cell changes or the presence of HPV.
• Other Forms of Cancer : Preliminary findings from test-tube studies and animal-based research indicates that diindolylmethane may offer some protection against prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and colon cancer. However, due to a lack of research, it's too soon to tell whether diindolylmethane may help fight these forms of cancer in humans.
• detox
• Weight Loss : Although diindolylmethane supplements are sometimes touted as natural weight loss aids, there's no scientific evidence to support the claim that taking diindolylmethane promotes weight loss.
• relief of premenstrual syndrome
• treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy
• Diindolylmethane and Estrogen

Diindolylmethane is purported to produce changes in estrogen metabolism, a biological process thought to influence the development of certain hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast cancer. For instance, some supplement manufacturers claim that diindolylmethane can increase levels of 16-hydroxy estrogens (considered to be beneficial estrogens) while reducing levels of 2-hydroxy estrogens (potentially harmful estrogens).