Indole-3-Carbinol
I3C is a naturally occurring phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables. I3C initiates a series of reactions in the body that culminates in the elimination of estrogen.* Researchers have observed that metabolism of estrogen occurs via one of two pathways: The ‘harmful’ metabolic pathway, 16 alpha-hydroxylation, or the ‘beneficial’ metabolic pathway, 2-hydroxylation. I3C encourages estrogen to take the least harmful path, a process that transforms estrogen into an antiestrogen.* Because testosterone converts to estrogen even in the male body, I3C may support individuals who take testosterone precursors.*
About I3C (Indole-3-Carbinol)
Estrogen is definitely vital for life, but it has a dark side. Consider all the women on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and the recent research exposing the hazard.
Then there are the estrogens that come from the environment and hormone laden livestock. Men have estrogen problems as well, since, as they age, they not only produce less testosterone than they did in their youth, but more of the testosterone they do produce is converted to estrogen. This effect, known as andropause, the male menopause, leads to many of the diseases of old age, especially cancer and heart disease.
How do you maintain estrogen’s good effects yet diminish its bad effects? If you can eat about 2 pounds of broccoli (or other cruciferous vegetable like cauliflower, cabbage or brussels sprouts) you could achieve your goal, but you could risk a goiter. The answer lies in a cruciferous vegetable derivative known as I3C (Indole 3 Carbinol). Estradiol and Estrone break down in the body to 3 metabolites; 16-Hydroxyestrone and 4-Hydroxyestrone, both cancer causing metabolites and 2-Hydroxyestrone, a non-carcinogenic metabolite. 2 I3Cs combine in the stomach to form DIM, which decreases the conversion of the 16 and the 4 metabolites by about 75% while increasing the 2 metabolite by about 50%.
Most scientists agree that much of what I3C accomplishes in the body is actually due to its metabolite, DIM. Why do they believe this? Experiments have shown that the beneficial effects observed from I3C only come from taking it orally. If it is injected, nothing happens! Scientists conclude that there must be something going on in the stomach that “activates” the I3C so that it can modulate the estrogen metabolites. Not coincidentally, the acidic stomach is where the 2 I3C molecules combine to form DIM, Indolylcarbazole (ICZ) and several metabolites.
So the choice is up to you. Take I3C and convert it yourself into DIM and related compounds or take our BioDIM formula to get your DIM directly. Either way, there are some other benefits you should know about.
I3C/DIM reduces the ability of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines (HAAs) to damage the body’s endogenous Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA).
I3C/DIM stimulates the endogenous production of Glutathione by Liver Cells (hepatocytes).
I3C/DIM counteracts the toxic effects of Dioxin.
I3C/DIM inhibits the ability of the fungal toxin, Aflatoxin to cause Liver Cancer.
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