The Phytonutrient Secret to Good Health

It turns out that broccoli—or more specifically, its natural component indole-3-carbinol (I3C) that through digestion is readily converted in part to beneficial di-indole methane (DIM)—may be the secret to staying healthy for life.

Why? Imbalances in estrogenic hormones in the body can significantly impact overall health—in both men and women. But estrogenic substances are not only being produced within our bodies; we are also being exposed to them through the foods we eat, some of the plastics we use, and other pollutants in our daily environments. And if that were not enough, our own current state of health can affect our exposure levels and how these hormones are handled within our bodies. For instance, even being overweight can increase conversion of non-estrogenic hormones into estrogenic ones, increase the amount of estrogens available for uptake in tissues, and shift the metabolism of estrogens down a less healthy pathway.¹

DIM also plays a particularly important role in the metabolism of estrogens, a group of sex hormones present in both men and women. You may not realize it, but estrogens metabolize into a number of different hormones, many of which are capable of impacting your health. For example, greater metabolism to the less desirable 4-hydroxy and 16-hydroxy estrogens is known to negatively affect both inflammatory responses and cell growth, while other estrogen metabolites may lead to excess weight gain and can affect inflammatory responses, normal cell growth and body weight.^2-4

Beneficial 2-hydroxy estrogens, on the other hand, have documented protective properties, and can support healthy cell growth—so it’s easy to see why balance is so essential.⁵

Luckily, research shows that DIM is able to direct your body to produce higher levels of the “good” 2-hydroxy estrogens—causing a metabolic shift that benefits the whole body.⁶ For starters, this estrogen modulation stimulates the conversion of stored fat into energy, with studies suggesting that increased 2-hydroxy estrogens may support a healthy weight.^7-9 DIM supplementation might also help to address a number of other common hormonal concerns, with data indicating that it can support everything from occasional breast tenderness and menstrual cramps to cervical and prostate health.^10-12

Even your mental health can benefit from a daily dose of DIM. By combining this phytonutrient with related cruciferous compounds like sulforaphane and brassinins, you may be able to boost your body’s stores of tryptophan—the precursor to the brain chemical serotonin, which contributes to both tighter appetite control and a lighter, brighter mood.^13-14

The research speaks for itself: If you want to transform your health from the cellular level, adding DIM to your daily regimen is a no-brainer. But to achieve optimal absorption, look for a microencapsulated supplement, such as VRP’s BioDIM®, which has been shown to boost gastrointestinal uptake of this critical phytochemical significantly—ensuring that you get all of the protection this natural powerhouse has to offer.¹⁵

References:

1. Michnovicz JJ. Increased estrogen 2-hydroxylation in obese women using oral indole-3-carbinol. International Journal of Obesity. 1998 Mar;22(3):227-9.

2. Ackerman GE, et al., Potentiation of epinephrine-induced lipolysis by catechol estrogens and their methoxy derivatives, Endocrinology. 1981;109:2084-8.

3. Tofovic SP, Dubey RK, Jackson EK. 2-Hydroxyestradiol attenuates the development of obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and vascular and renal dysfunction in obese ZSF1 rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001 Dec;299(3):973-7.

4. D’Eon TM, Rogers NH, Stancheva ZS, Greenberg AS. Estradiol and the estradiol metabolite, 2-hydroxyestradiol, activate AMP-activated protein kinase in C2C12 myotubes. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2008 Jun;16(6):1284-8.

5. Zeligs MA. Diet and estrogen status: the cruciferous connection. J Medicinal Foods. 1998;1:67 82.

6. Dalessandri, KM, Firestone GL, Fitch MD, Bradlow HL, Bjeldanes LF. Pilot study: effect of 3,3’-diindolylmethane supplements on urinary hormone metabolites in postmenopausal women with a history of early-stage breast cancer. Nutr Cancer. 2004;50(2):161-7.

7. Ackerman GE, et al., Potentiation of epinephrine-induced lipolysis by catechol estrogens and their methoxy derivatives, Endocrinology. 1981;109:2084-8.

8. Tofovic SP, Dubey RK, Jackson EK. 2-Hydroxyestradiol attenuates the development of obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and vascular and renal dysfunction in obese ZSF1 rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001 Dec;299(3):973-7.

9. Zeligs MA. Phytochemicals for promoting weight loss. US Patent #6,534,085, 2003, March.

10. Zeligs MA, Brownstone PK, Sharp ME, Westerlind K,Wilson SM, Johs S. Managing Cyclical Mastalgia with Absorbable Diindolylmethane: A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial. JANA. 2005;7(3):5-14.

11. Zeligs, MA, Fulfs, JC, Peterson, R, Wilson, SM, McIntyre, L, Sepkovic, DW, and Bradlow, HL. In vivo, uterine-protective activity of absorption-enhanced diindolylmethane: Animal and preliminary human use in combination with Tamoxifen. Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res. 2003;44(6347):1268.

12. Zeligs MA, Sepkovic DW, Manrique C, Macsalka M, Williams DE, Bradlow HL. Absorption-enhanced 3,3’-Diindolylmethane: Human Use in HPV-related, Benign and Pre-cancerous Conditions. Proc. Am. Assoc. Cancer Res. 2002;43(3198):644.

13. Brandacher G, Hoeller E, Fuchs D, Weiss HG. Chronic immune activation underlies morbid obesity: is IDO a key player? Curr Drug Metab. 2007 Apr;8(3):289-95.

14. Cangiano C, Ceci F, Cascino A, Del Ben M, Laviano A, Muscaritoli M, Antonucci F, Rossi-Fanelli F. Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan. Am J Clin Nutr. 1992 Nov;56(5):863-7.

15. Zeligs MA and Jacobs IC. Compositions and methods of adjusting steroid hormone metabolism through phytochemicals. US Patent #6,086,915. 2000, July.