INTRODUCTION
The
discovery of an absorbable form of diindolylmethane is most clinically
promising for people suffering from hormonal imbalances, and poor
breast, prostate and uterine health. Diindolylmethane is a phytochemical
produced inside the body from the indole-3-carbinol (I3C) that occurs
naturally in cruciferous vegetables. (Phytochemicals are simply chemicals
that come from plants.) Vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts,
cabbage, and cauliflower contain I3C. I3C forms the hormone balancer
diindolylmethane. Diindolylmethane encourages estrogens in the body
to select certain enzymatic pathways that result in break-down products
that are actually balancing for hormonal health.1 As a
result, they are cardio-protective, and cancer protective for certain
tissues in the body including those found in the breast, prostate
and uterus.
The
effects of diindolylmethane can be measured in laboratory testing
on urine.2 When the body produces unhealthy estrogen breakdown
products, they are measured in high levels, while the healthy breakdown
products are measured in low levels. Until diindolylmethane was produced
in an absorbable form, achieving powerful clinical advantages (proven
with positive laboratory outcomes) was not possible. Unfortunately,
in order to get enough diindolylmethane to achieve positive changes
in hormonal health by eating these vegetables, a person would have
to eat so many of them that it would be bad for their thyroid and
their digestive health. No one can afford to compromise these very
important systems in the body! It was then thought that the I3C might
be extracted directly as a dietary supplement. Unfortunately, once
extracted, it is unstable in supplement form, and loses its potency
before it can be used. Diindolylmethane itself, is very stable as
a supplement. Diindolylmethane, however, does not absorb well in the
body. As you can see, researchers were so close to a clinical solution
to hormonal health, and yet so far away.
The
good news is that a research physician was able to make diindolylmethane
absorbable, while retaining its stability in a supplement form. This
was done naturally. It resulted in the production of what scientists
call "bioavailable" diindolylmethane. This is simply diindolylmethane
made into a form that the body can use. Since this form is all natural,
it retains its safety while ensuring its clinical effectiveness.
DIINDOLYLMETHANE
FOR MEN
If
diindolylmethane is responsible for healthy estrogen breakdown in
the body, how does that ensure prostate health? As very few people
realize, estrogen levels in men rise as they age. Researchers are
beginning to suspect that it is this increase in estrogen production,
with a shift in its metabolism toward unhealthy breakdown products,
that leads to changes in prostate tissue health. Inappropriate testosterone
metabolism also plays a role. However, that role may be secondary
to the substantial role played by improper estrogen metabolism.3-4
DIINDOLYLMETHANE
FOR MENOPAUSAL WOMEN
Hormone
replacement therapy, especially when taken in a natural form, has
the ability to enhance health and quality of life for many women.
The health benefits include decreased mortality, increased memory,
lower risk of Alzheimer's and dementia, stronger bones, a decreased
incidence of cancerous changes in breast and uterine tissues, and
a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease.5-10
The quality of life benefits include an increased sense of vitality
and well-being, enhanced sexual function, and a decrease in hot flashes,
insomnia, mood changes and urinary incontinence. The body's ability
to obtain the health benefits of estrogen, when supplemented, depends
upon its ability to break estrogen down in a healthful fashion. Diindolylmethane
ensures this healthful breakdown of estrogen. The consequences of
the unhealthful breakdown of estrogen include cancer cell initiation
and promotion in estrogen-related breast and uterine cancers. Even
women that choose not to pursue hormone replacement therapy have much
to gain from the use of diindolylmethane. It will help her metabolize
the limited estrogen that her body makes on its own into breakdown
products that are cancer- and cardio-protective. It will also increase
her body's own production of progesterone.11-12 Increased
levels of progesterone will further balance her hormones, resolving
mood changes, headaches, insomnia and breast pain. Additionally, progesterone
is an important hormone for maintaining strong bones. From a physician's
perspective, diindolylmethane can be essential for hormone, breast
and uterine health.
DIINDOLYLMETHANE
FOR WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE
Many
women, starting with their first menses, are unable to metabolize
estrogen in a balanced fashion. Taking the birth control pill can
further complicate the unhealthy breakdown of estrogen. The unhealthful
breakdown of estrogens, resulting in increased levels of a particular
type of "bad estrogens" -- called 16 Hydroxylated estrogens
-- is associated with cervical dysplasia.13 Without conducting
a laboratory test, a woman who demonstrates symptoms such as heavy
bleeding, cramping, PMS, fibrocystic breast changes, uterine fibroids,
endometriosis or ovarian cyst formation is obviously suffering from
a hormonal imbalance. If the birth control pill was prescribed in
order to treat these symptoms, it is simply masking them. This leaves
the underlying problem of poorly metabolized estrogens unchanged.
Low
levels of progesterone may also complicate this imbalance. Years or
even decades before menopause, many women demonstrate abnormally low
levels of progesterone on blood testing. Diindolylmethane will ensure
the healthful breakdown of estrogens, balancing estrogen in the body.
It will also support the body in its production of normal levels of
progesterone. The symptoms of hormonal imbalance listed above will
be resolved with both the proper breakdown of estrogens and the body's
production of normal levels of progesterone. When a woman is looking
to treat the cause of her hormonal imbalance, in lieu of simply masking
the symptoms, diindolylmethane may be the support her body needs to
bring itself to normal. The long-term health benefits of hormonal
balance, the healthful breakdown of estrogens, and proper levels of
progesterone are preventative for estrogen-related cancers in breast
and uterine tissues, cardiovascular disease, and bone density losses.
DIINDOLYLMETHANE
AND BREAST, PROSTATE AND UTERINE CANCER
Diindolylmethane
promotes the healthful breakdown of estrogens. It simultaneously decreases
levels of unhealthful estrogen breakdown products. What does this
mean for cancerous changes? Some of the healthful estrogen breakdown
products include: 2-Hydroxy Estradiol, 2-Hydroxy Estrone, 2-Methoxy-estradiol
and 2-Methoxy-estrone. These "good estrogens" prevent and
attack cancerous cell formation in several different ways.14-18
The anti-cancer properties of these "good estrogens" are
so varied, and work in so many different ways, that some studies actually
link them with decreased risks for other cancers such as lung, stomach,
colon and rectal cancers.19-20 This is in addition to the
widely confirmed studies that show its direct affect on decreasing
the estrogen-related cancers in breast, prostate and uterine tissues.
In the prostate, the "good estrogens" lead to decreased
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) activity. When this happens, prostate
cell growth, PSA levels, and cellular estrogen and testosterone levels
all normalize. Regulated activity of SHBG also prevents a certain
phase of cell division. This support at a cellular level prevents
the over growth of prostate cells. Conversely, the unhealthful breakdown
products include: 16-alpha Hydroxy Estrone, 4-Hydroxy Estrone and
2-Methoxy-estriol. Unfortunately, the first two of the "bad estrogens"
listed are actually considered to be "carcinogenic" or cancer-promoting
substances. The last of the "bad estrogens" listed merely
interrupts the body's natural timing for normal cell death, allowing
cells to grow out of control. Uncontrolled cell growth is called "cancer."
An increase in levels of these "bad estrogens" is associated
with an increased risk for breast, prostate and uterine cancer. Diindolylmethane
decreases levels of "bad estrogens" and promotes higher
levels of "good estrogens" through its ability to encourage
the healthful breakdown of estrogen.21-26
SELECTED
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