Diindolylmethane
Alternate names: Diindolymetano, Diindolylméthane, DIM
Actions: Angiogenic, Antiarthritis, Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiparasitic, CYP-modifying, Estrogen, Immune, Neuroplegic, PPAR-modulating
Background
Diindolylmethane is made in the body from a chemical called indole-3-carbinol, which is found in cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli.
Diindolylmethane might act like estrogen in the body, but might also block estrogen effects. It appears to help destroy cancer cells and reduce swelling.
People commonly use diindolylmethane for breast cancer, prostate cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Diindolylmethane might act like estrogen in the body, but might also block estrogen effects. It appears to help destroy cancer cells and reduce swelling.
People commonly use diindolylmethane for breast cancer, prostate cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Diindolylmethane is commonly consumed in foods. A typical diet supplies 2-24 mg of diindolylmethane daily. It is possibly safe for most people when taken in doses up to 150 mg daily for up to 1 year. The most common side effects include headache, nausea, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea.
Taking larger doses of diindolylmethane is possibly unsafe. Taking 600 mg of diindolylmethane daily might lower sodium levels in some people.
Children: Diindolylmethane is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if larger amounts are safe.
Hormone-sensitive conditions: Diindolylmethane might act like estrogen, so it might make hormone-sensitive conditions worse. These conditions include breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, ovarian cancer, a painful uterine disorder (endometriosis), or non-cancerous growths of the uterus (uterine fibroids). Until more is known, don't use diindolylmethane if you have a hormone-sensitive condition.
Taking larger doses of diindolylmethane is possibly unsafe. Taking 600 mg of diindolylmethane daily might lower sodium levels in some people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Diindolylmethane is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if larger amounts are safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.Children: Diindolylmethane is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if larger amounts are safe.
Hormone-sensitive conditions: Diindolylmethane might act like estrogen, so it might make hormone-sensitive conditions worse. These conditions include breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, ovarian cancer, a painful uterine disorder (endometriosis), or non-cancerous growths of the uterus (uterine fibroids). Until more is known, don't use diindolylmethane if you have a hormone-sensitive condition.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using diindolylmethane for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
Diindolylmethane is naturally made in the stomach after eating vegetables that contain the chemical called indole-3-carbinol. Vegetables that contain this chemical include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts. A typical diet supplies 2-24 mg of diindolylmethane daily.
In supplements, diindolylmethane has most often been used by adults in doses of 100-150 mg by mouth daily for 1-12 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
In supplements, diindolylmethane has most often been used by adults in doses of 100-150 mg by mouth daily for 1-12 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Estrogens
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Diindolylmethane might have effects similar to estrogen. But in some cases, diindolylmethane might oppose the effects of estrogen. Taking large amounts of diindolylmethane might interfere with hormone replacement therapy.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Diindolylmethane might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Diindolylmethane can decrease sodium levels. "Water pills" can also decrease sodium levels. Taking "water pills" along with diindolylmethane might make sodium levels drop too low.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 26/08/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 31/07/2022 21:54:01. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
