Diindolylmethane (DIM) is created naturally when you digest cruciferous vegetables, and it’s also a nutritional supplement with possible anticancer effects.
DIM at a glance
Your body naturally creates diindolylmethane (DIM) when you digest cruciferous vegetables that contain indole-3-carbinol (I3C): broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale. DIM is also available as a nutritional supplement. This review focuses on effects from supplements.
Preliminary evidence shows DIM may improve cancer markersa chemical or substance, such as certain proteins or genetic material, that are associated with the presence of cancer or a change in status or prognosis; these markers can be detected in blood, urine, or tissue. Tumor markers are not direct measures of clinical outcomes such as survival or metastasis, and if a therapy or treatment shows an impact only on tumor markers, we cannot surmise that it will affect survival. among people with prostate cancer. It also may improve hormone imbalances linked to hormone-related cancers. Some evidence shows lower progression of precancerous breast or cervical conditions among people taking DIM.
Benefits of eating many of the foods containing DIM and other nutrients are described in our Eating Well handbook.
CancerChoices ratings for diindolylmethane
We rate diindolylmethane on seven attributes, with 0 the lowest rating and 5 the highest. We rate the strength of the evidence supporting the use of DIM for a medical benefit, such as improving treatment outcomes or managing side effects.
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