DIM 100 mg, 60 capsules

DIM 100 mg – Women’s Support for Every Day of the Cycle

DIM stands for 3,3′-diindolylmethane, which consists of a methane group with two indole groups attached to it. The main natural source of DIM is the digestion of cruciferous vegetables. These vegetables are members of the cabbage family, which also includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and kale. 

Benefits of use

•     Reduces PMS symptoms,
  
•     Reduces menstrual pain,
  
•     Alleviates peri-menopausal, menopausal and post-menopausal symptoms,
  
•     Helps produce healthy estrogen metabolites,
  
•     Takes care of optimal progesterone levels,
  
•     Use in women who notice estrogen dominance in themselves,
  
•     Use in men who have an increased risk of, for example, prostate cancer.
  
  
  

The health benefits of cruciferous vegetables are due in part to the effects of DIM. Cruciferous vegetables contain glucobrassicin, which is a type of glucosinolate. During digestion, glucobrassicin breaks down into indole-3-carbinol and thiocyanate, catalyzed by the enzyme myrosinase, which is also present in cruciferous vegetables. Indole-3-carbinol is rapidly broken down into DIM and other metabolites during acid-mediated digestion.

Heat breaks down myrosinase, so cooking vegetables reduces the bioavailability of DIM. However, some of its bioavailability is still retained because the human intestines also contain a certain amount of myrosinase. Water also reduces the availability of DIM because glucobrassicin is water soluble. Low-temperature steaming is therefore the best method of cooking vegetables while preserving the bioavailability of glucobrassicin.

The primary biochemical role of DIM is to modify estrogen metabolism so that it produces more 2-hydroxyestrogen metabolites. The most significant result of this modification is a decrease in the production of 16-hydroxyestrone and an increase in the production of 2-hydroxyestrone.

DIM's applications generally stem from its ability to manage hormone levels, particularly testosterone and estrogen. These uses include prostate health support, antioxidant support, weight management and menstrual symptom management. 

1. Antioxidant support - DIM can help break down estrogen into metabolites with antioxidant properties. This effect may protect the body from free radical damage, especially to the brain and heart. 
2. Menstrual support - DIM may help manage menstrual symptoms such as breast discomfort and malaise.
3. Weight management - DIM may support healthy weight management by reducing the production          of estrogen metabolites that are associated with obesity. 
4. Prostate health support - Early research indicates that DIM may support prostate health by    controlling prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. The regimen in this study lasted 28 days.  
5. Testosterone is a key contributor to healthy hormonal balance, and DIM can optimize its effects on the body. Testosterone is known as an androgen, meaning it regulates and dominates male characteristics such as a deeper voice, body hair distribution and male genital development. As an anabolic hormone, testosterone promotes protein synthesis, which promotes muscle growth and bone strength. It is also a key factor in controlling sexual desire and mood.

sources: 1, 2, 3