Dim Supplement for Women
DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment
When it comes to women’s health, from relieving painful periods to reducing irritability caused by hormonal imbalances, DIM is nothing but a miraculous healer. The benefit of DIM supplements for women is well known nowadays.
DIM helps women maintain a healthy estrogen level which plays an important role in reducing various hormonal issues including heavy periods, acne, PCOS symptoms, PMS symptoms, breast tenderness, symptoms of perimenopause, and symptoms of menopause.
Here we’ll discuss the effects of the DIM supplement for women in a little bit of detail. But we’ll start with the basics of DIM first. So, let’s start on.
Table of contents
- What is DIM?
- What does DIM do for women?
- What is estrogen dominance?
- How DIM works on women's estrogen levels
- Potential benefits of DIM supplement for women
- How to use DIM supplement
- Precautions and side effects
- Final works
What is DIM?
DIM is an abbreviated form of diindolylmethane which is a metabolite of indole-3-carbinol (I3C). DIM is a byproduct compound that can only be produced from cruciferous vegetables.
When cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage reach the stomach after chewing, stomach acid breaks them and produces indole-3-carbinol, which is then transformed into DIM.
Though DIM can be obtained from the diet, it would take a huge amount of cruciferous vegetables to meet the body’s requirements. For this reason, many people opt for concentrated forms of DIM supplements.
DIM offers a variety of women's health benefits, especially those that are associated with excess estrogen levels medically known as estrogen dominance.
What does DIM do for women?
The most prevalent benefit DIM supplements may offer to women is to improve hormonal imbalances particularly estrogen dominance or excess estrogen levels.
Estrogen dominance may result in a cascade of unpleasant hormonal conditions such as PMS (Premenstrual syndrome), breast tenderness, and painful acne, to name a few.
DIM plays an important role to keep estrogen at safe levels and helps avoid numerous undesired symptoms caused by estrogen dominance.
Let’s have a deep look into estrogen dominance.
What is estrogen dominance?
Estrogen dominance simply refers to a body condition in which estrogen level is very high. This condition can occur in two ways - one is there’s too much estrogen in the overall condition, another is there are higher levels of estrogen compared to progesterone levels which means there’s not sufficient progesterone to counteract estrogen.
A number of possible factors may contribute to the development of estrogen dominance. They may include autoimmune conditions, excess fats in the body, no ovulation, adrenal issues, exposure to higher estrogen environments, and digestive problems.
Estrogen dominance may show up a variety of symptoms, including:
- Weight gain
- Irritability
- PMS (Premenstrual syndrome)
- Painful periods
- Heavy periods
- Acne
- depression
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Osteoporosis
- Infertility
- Endometrial hyperplasia
- Water retention
- Fibroids
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
(Here you can read our article DIM for estrogen dominance)
How DIM works on women's estrogen levels
Estrogen dominance may result from poor metabolism of estrogen. Another reason is testosterone is transformed into estrogen within the body.
To understand how DIM works on estrogen levels first you’ll need to understand how the body metabolizes estrogen. When the body experiences unnecessary estrogen, the liver breaks down the estrogen into simple metabolites so that they can be expelled from the body through the urine and stool.
The entire metabolism process of estrogen happened via two major steps called phase 1 and phase 2 detox of the liver.
During phase 1 detox, estrogen is broken down into three types of metabolites - 2OHE1 (2 hydroxy estrone), 4OHE1 (4 hydroxy estrone), and 16OHE1 (16 hydroxy estrone). While 2 hydroxy estrone produces positive effects, the other two metabolites, 4 hydroxy and 16 hydroxy estrone have been found to be linked with many negative effects in the body including unwanted growth of uterine and breast tissues, and sometimes even cancer.
In the phase 2 detox of estrogen metabolism, these metabolites are excreted through the kidneys and bowel. Since the liver isn’t the only organ responsible for estrogen metabolism and the kidneys and bowels also play an important role, intake of adequate water, eating a fiber-rich diet, and assuring regular bowel movements are important for keeping the hormonal balance healthy.
DIM helps the liver at the phase 1 detox stage to produce a maximum of 2 hydroxy estrone metabolites which are favorable and a minimum of 4 hydroxy and 16 hydroxy estrogen metabolites that are potentially harmful in the body.
DIM also helps in inhibiting testosterone to convert into estrogen which is vital for maintaining a healthy hormonal balance.
Potential benefits of DIM supplement for women
DIM supplements are helpful for women's health in many ways. Since it helps correct hormonal imbalances, DIM appears to be beneficial in a range of women's health conditions caused by hormonal imbalance, particularly estrogen dominance.
Scientific studies on DIM have found promising effects on various women’s hormonal issues including acne, PMS, and breast tenderness. Some data also support its beneficial effects in certain cancers, but more research is needed.
DIM supplement for women:
- Helps restore hormonal balance
- Supports breast health
- Alleviates symptoms of PMS
- Reduces the risk of developing endometriosis, a disorder in which fibroids, polyps, and endometrial lesions occurred and causes painful heavy periods and cramps
- Reduces the chances of developing thyroid proliferative disease, a disease of the thyroid gland that causes adenoma, goiter, and even cancer
- Mitigates symptoms of menopause and premenopause
- Helps maintain a healthy testosterone level
- Boosts moods and reduces irritability and depression
- Helps clear acne
How to use DIM supplement
Though doses may vary depending on the specific health condition, the most commonly suggested doses of DIM range from 100 to 200 mg per day.
Precautions and side effects
DIM is supposed to be safe and well-tolerable within recommended doses. Some women may experience headaches, dark urine, gas, vomiting, skin rash, and indigestion. But these side effects aren’t common.
Since DIM works on hormone levels and impacts overall bodily functions, it’s strongly recommended to ask your healthcare consultant before using DIM supplements.
Final words
The DIM supplement appears to be highly beneficial for women. It helps correct estrogen dominance and supports healthy hormone balance, making it one of the most beneficial supplements for women.
Since DIM works on hormones, always ask your healthcare consultant prior to using DIM supplements.
Here you can check out our DIM 200mg Vegan Capsules.
Important resources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5059820/
- https://en.aig-journal.ru/articles/Indolkarbinol-Indinol-Forto-metod-multitargetnoi-terapii-pri-ciklicheskoi-mastodinii.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3048776/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3820128/
- https://drbrighten.com/dim-supplement/
- https://clearstemskincare.com/blogs/skin-care-learning-center/the-benefits-of-a-dim-supplement-for-women
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/health-benefits-dim