Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a compound found in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Apart from having antioxidant properties, DIM also has anti-atherogenic and anti-cancerogenic effects. For men, the compound has shown to promote higher testosterone levels and reduce estrogen levels.
How it Works
DIM is produced naturally in the body when indole-3 carbinol breaks down into 3, 3’, allowing the blood to promote a more active estrogen metabolism. A drop in the amount of unmetabolized estrogen in the blood results in an increase in the amount of 2-hydroxy-estrogen. Such estrogen derivate is capable of displacing bound testosterone from its career called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBBG). As testosterone separates from the globulin, it becomes active testosterone, which is free to flow throughout the body.
Benefits of DIM for Men
Aside from the benefits associated with testosterone, DIM has other benefits for men such as:
- Has anti-cancerogenic properties. The impacts of DIM on cancer cells may have to do with its ability to inhibit angiogenesis, the process of blood vessel formation. Basically, a cancer is a bunch of tumor cells which grow and multiply rapidly. They will continue to grow if they have a fresh supply of blood which DIM inhibits.
- Has anti-inflammatory properties. While, there hasn’t been conclusive research on humans, some promising studies on mice show that DIM has anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown to succeed in treating osteoclastogenesis and arthritis.
- Promotes hormonal balance. Hormone level fluctuations continue even if you have gotten out of puberty. Both internal and external factors impact the amount of hormones in the body. While DIM is usually categorized like estrogen blockers, it does not inhibit estrogen production. Instead, it promotes estrogen metabolism in the body that in turn, will increase the levels of active testosterone in the body.
- Improves cytochrome function. DIM can change and improve the function of cytochrome (CYP) in the body. CYP is a protein that has heme and serves as enzymes to many body processes. It regulates and increases steroid hormone production that includes testosterone.
How DIM Supplements Help
Although DIM is contained in cruciferous food, getting the required daily dosage can be difficult through food only. That is why DIM supplements are available to fill the need. The majority of such supplements is available in tablet forms and has 15g to 25g of DIM concentrate. Taking doses of 25mg per day should be enough for a healthy adult male.