Why It’s Important to Regulate Estrogen
As we age, our hormones tend to shift. Unfortunately, when that happens, they can easily end up out of balance. That’s where DIM supplements hold a lot of promise.
Diindolylmethane or DIM is a natural compound that you can get from cruciferous vegetables. It’s also available in convenient supplement form.
Are you an older male experiencing the ill effects of shifting hormones and want to get your youthful edge back? Then taking a diindolylmethane supplement might be your best bet.
What Are DIM Supplements?
Diindolylmethane supplements are a convenient way to obtain a necessary natural compound that has powerful hormone regulating effects.
By putting your hormones in balance, diindolylmethane (DIM) supplements could counter the effects of aging as well as reduce your risks for certain cancers.
If you’re feeling skeptical about diindolylmethane supplements, we understand. DIM may sound too good to be true. But, there’s plenty of evidence backing DIM’s potent and beneficial effects.
Before we dig into the science, though, it might be helpful to define what DIM is, where it comes from, and how it works.
DIM Explained
Diindolylmethane is a natural substance that forms from indole-3-carbinol (I3C). I3C comes from the breakdown of glucobrassicin. Glucobrassicin is a naturally occurring compound found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage.
When we eat cruciferous vegetables, our bodies break them down to create I3C. Then, in our stomachs, I3C undergoes acid-catalyzed condensation. That’s a chemical reaction that generates a bunch of biologically active substances, including DIM.
DIM works to modulate the expression and activity of certain enzymes. These enzymes are involved in the elimination and metabolism of toxins, carcinogens, and steroid hormones like estrogen.
In other words, DIM helps our bodies get rid of what it doesn’t need and create what it does. It’s this balancing effect that makes DIM supplements effective at regulating hormones, especially as we age.
Why Our Bodies Need DIM
DIM is one of the many reasons doctors and dieticians are constantly telling us to eat our veggies! Our bodies need DIM to keep our hormones from getting out of whack.
When hormones go haywire, we end up with all sorts of issues. For example, our risk for certain cancers increases, and we may have trouble with our skin. Acne may develop even though we’re way past our teenage years. And, for men, prostate health and sexual function can become a concern.
Unbalanced hormones also affect our brains, bone health, and more. DIM helps manage our hormones and keep them in a balanced state. It does this by affecting one of the most prominent hormonal players in our body: estrogen.
DIM and Estrogen
Estrogen, often referred to as the female hormone, comes in several forms.
DIM promotes the production of 2-hydroxy estrone, a less potent form of estrogen that scientists sometimes refer to as “good estrogen.” 2-hydroxy estrone (2-OHE1) seems to be anticarcinogenic and protective against tumors, especially those that develop in hormonally driven cancers.
At the same time, DIM reduces the effects of 16-alpha-hydroxy estrone, which some colloquially call “bad estrogen.” 16-alpha-hydroxy estrone (16-OHE1) forms a strong bond with our bodies’ estrogen receptors and promotes cell growth, including the growth of cancerous cells.
In breast cancer studies, a low ratio of 2-OHE1 to 16-OHE1 suggests a high risk of developing invasive breast cancer amongst premenopausal women. Since DIM promotes the opposite, it’s gotten a lot of attention as a breast cancer-preventing compound.
DIM, Aromatase, Estrogen, and Testosterone
We talked about the way DIM promotes “good estrogen” while decreasing “bad estrogen” above. We didn’t discuss how DIM may help increase testosterone while reducing harmful estrogen in males. This makes it that much more potent of a regulating substance.
In the male body, DIM acts as an inhibitor for a particular enzyme called aromatase. Aromatase is responsible for converting testosterone to estrogen. Men need some aromatase to convert some of their testosterone into estrogen, but balance is key.
By naturally inhibiting aromatase, DIM could help men avoid the effects of unbalanced estrogen and testosterone.
So if you’re looking to naturally boost testosterone, here’s a link to our blog post, “5 Testosterone Boosting Ingredients In Nature” to help you figure out how to do it.
Why It’s Important for Men to Regulate the Estrogen Hormone
Though we call it the female hormone, estrogen is crucial to men’s health. Estrogen, mainly in the form of estradiol, is something men need to feel their best physically, mentally, and sexually.
Too much of it, though, can cause all sorts of problems. It can make men feel tired and even depressed. It can also lead to the build-up of breast tissue, officially known as gynecomastia but commonly called man boobs.
On top of that, too much estrogen can negatively affect sexual health and can be detrimental to our skin and bones.
So, regulation of estrogen in men is crucial. Below we discuss why estrogen is essential for men and what happens when it gets too high or too low.
Estradiol and Men’s Health
Estradiol is a form of estrogen that comes from the breakdown of testosterone in men. The aromatase enzyme, found in men’s brains, adrenal glands, and testes, breaks down testosterone and leaves estradiol behind.
This byproduct of a testosterone breakdown is necessary in the right amounts for all sorts of biological functions. These include those that revolve around reproductive health, brain function, body composition, skin health, and bone health.
Reproductive Health
Evidence suggests that estradiol regulates libido, erectile function, and the creation of sperm, meaning it’s essential for male reproductive health.
Too much or too little of it can lead to:
- Low sex drive
- Low sperm count
- Erectile dysfunction
Brain Function
Though the research is still in progress, we know estradiol receptors in the male brain affect things like memory and mood.
Having the right amount of estrogen as a male can improve verbal memory.
Clinical trials have shown giving supplemental estrogen to men who’ve experienced a traumatic brain injury or have unchecked aggression due to dementia is effective. It seems that estrogen regulates psychotic symptoms, which suggests it influences mood and behavior significantly.
More so, we know that low testosterone, which leads to low estradiol, can cause:
- Memory function issues
- Depression
- Irritability
- Fatigue
Body Composition
A growing body of clinical research suggests that unbalanced estradiol levels in men often lead to body composition issues. To be specific, it causes men to gain more fat.
At the same time, it seems to inhibit muscle growth. Men with unbalanced hormones may experience an increase in fat and a loss of muscle mass at the same time. This isn’t a combination anybody wants!
On top of that, too much estrogen in men can cause a condition called gynecomastia. Gynecomastia occurs when male breast tissue swells. It often becomes tender and painful as well.
Common treatments for gynecomastia are surgical, either liposuction or the removal of breast tissue. However, getting hormones in line could fix the problem without surgery, which is another reason regulating estrogen in males is beneficial.
Skin Health
A few studies seem to show estrogen has a beneficial effect on male skin as well.
Estrogen in the right amounts seems to fight the effects of aging on the skin by encouraging collagen production. That translates to less skin sagging and wrinkles!
When estrogen levels are off in men or women, it can also lead to skin conditions like acne, regardless of your age. So if you’re experiencing a case of adult acne, unbalanced estrogen may be to blame.
Bone Health
Studies show that estrogen in the form of estradiol has strong correlations with bone mineral density, bone turnover, and bone loss. When estradiol levels are too high or too low, the risk of bone fractures increases.
On top of that, unregulated estradiol makes men more prone to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis weakens bones, making breaks more likely. And a broken bone in someone over fifty is no casual injury.
One in three Americans over 50 who fracture a hip die within 12 months of the accident. Maintaining bone health is crucial to staying healthy with age, and to do that, we need our hormones to be in a balanced state.
Clearly, having the right amount of estrogen, especially in the form of estradiol, is essential to male health. Since DIM regulates estrogen by promoting good estrogen, discouraging bad estrogen, and inhibiting aromatase, it may be able to help.
Age and Stress Effects on Hormone Balance in Men
The evidence is clear: hormone balance is essential for men’s health. And DIM is a powerful hormone regulator. But why are men’s hormones off-kilter to begin with? Surely, we’re not born like this!
While genetic conditions could predispose a man to have less testosterone and more estrogen, most of the problem comes down to one factor: age.
As men age, testosterone naturally begins to decrease. And when testosterone decreases, estradiol ends up off-balance as well.
This can make it harder to build muscle and keep off excess fat. The natural decline in testosterone also lowers men’s sex drive and may lead to a whole host of other negative issues.
Beyond age, obesity, certain chronic diseases, high-stress lifestyles, and certain liver conditions can also lead to hormone imbalance.
We can’t stop the clock; aging will inevitably happen to us all. And, our 21st-century lifestyles make us prone to high-stress living. Add in the standard American diet, which seems to lead to obesity, and you have a perfect recipe for hormone imbalances.
Unless you pay careful attention to lifestyle and dietary factors, the effects of unbalanced testosterone and estrogen levels are difficult to combat. Which is why you should be consuming enough DIM.
What Are Some Natural Things You Can Add to Your Diet to Help DIM Production?
If you want to increase your DIM production naturally, it’s time to add some greens to your diet! Specifically, you’ll want to add cruciferous vegetables, such as:
- Arugula
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Collard greens
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Mustard greens
- Radishes
- Rutabaga
- Turnips
Cruciferous vegetables are significant sources of glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are sulfur-containing chemicals responsible for the pungent odor you sometimes experience when steaming Brussels sprouts, for instance.
Though the aroma isn’t for everyone, the sulfur-containing glucosinates are what break down into I3C. As we noted in the beginning, a byproduct of I3C is the super hormone-regulator DIM. So, despite their potent smell, you want them!
Cooking Method Matters
Before you load up on kale salads and raw broccoli, though, it’s crucial to understand how DIM works in foods. DIM is a byproduct of I3C, which means the I3C needs to break down for DIM to be available.
Chewing and digestive processes break down cruciferous vegetables to a point. But studies suggest cooking your vegetables may be the best option to obtain the maximum DIM.
For example, boiling cabbage for 40-50 minutes increases it’s DIM by six-fold over its uncooked form. Boiling Brussels sprouts shows similar effects.
Raw preparations are still beneficial for obtaining DIM. So, if you love salads, don’t give up on them! But, it’s clear that cooked cruciferous veggies have an advantage. Besides, roasting, sauteing, or braising vegetables can be absolutely delicious.
How Much Should I Eat?
To obtain the amounts of DIM that researchers have studied and shown to be beneficial, you’d have to eat several servings a day. The single helping of steamed broccoli with dinner won’t quite cut it.
The USDA recommends 1.5 to 2.5 cups of cruciferous vegetables per week. However, studies suggest you’d need closer to three cups per day to combat disease and receive a potent dose of DIM.
That means a cup of broccoli, cabbage, or the equivalent with every meal! It might seem doable until you consider the other types of fruits and vegetables you need in your diet.
The USDA suggests five and a half servings of orange and red vegetables per week. You also need five servings of starchy vegetables per week and two servings of fruits per day. That’s a lot of produce to fit on your plate!
Why You Should Consider a Supplement
Even if you’re willing to eat massive amounts of veggies with every meal, absorption rates and enzymatic reactions vary from person to person. Your gut health, biology, and the freshness of your produce all play a role in how much DIM you get.
That’s why many choose to supplement with a super-absorbable form of DIM. Supplements provide a guaranteed and convenient way to get the hormone-regulating benefits of DIM without having to create a special meal plan.
Plus, researchers have shown that DIM supplements are well tolerated in most people. So you don’t have to worry about a laundry list of side effects.
As long as you’re over 18, DIM supplements are safe to take. If you’re under 18, you should probably wait because of DIM’s hormonal effects. Puberty is a time of shifting hormones that you don’t want to mess with!
For older adults, especially men over 40, DIM in supplement form seems to have nothing but benefits. It can help regulate estrogen, and a supplement is just plain convenient.
What Is the Best Dim Supplement on the Market?
At this point, you might be considering a DIM supplement, and understandably, you’ll want the best one available.
There are a lot of DIM supplements to choose from. However, only one of them offers a 3X absorption system and added vitamin E, and that’s PrimeGENIX DIM 3X.
Promotes Balance With a Clinical Dose of DIM
PrimeGENIX DIM3x offers a clinical dose of high-quality diindolylmethane or DIM. As discussed, DIM can do all of the following:
- Balance “good” and “bad” estrogens
- Block the aromatase enzyme, which turns testosterone into estrogen
- Support healthy testosterone production by regulating estrogen
PrimeGENIX offers 200 mg of DIM in every dose, which is the maximum amount shown to be well tolerated in human and animal studies. More than 200 mg isn’t dangerous per se, but it can cause nausea and headaches. So, 200 mg is the perfect amount.
3X Absorption System
Of course, DIM in supplement form is only beneficial if your body can absorb it. Otherwise, you’re just purchasing pricey urine!
That’s where PrimeGenix DIM 3X’s absorption system comes into play. PrimeGENIX uses a dual-patented formula that features AstraGin® and BioPerine®.
AstraGin® features Panax Notoginseng and Astragalus Membranaceus. Panax Notoginseng is a fancy name for Chinese ginseng, a flowering plant. Astragalus Membranaceus is a flowering Mongolian herb. Together, these two natural ingredients help increase nutritional absorption. Plus, they may help promote good gut health overall.
BioPerine® is a patented black pepper extract that studies show increases absorption of DIM by between 30% and 60%. So, having it in your supplement is a significant benefit.
Added vitamin E
It’s estimated up to 90% of Americans don’t get enough vitamin E. That’s a problem for adults who hope to regulate their hormone levels.
Vitamin E is essential for steroid production and provides the precursors for steroid hormones like testosterone.
If you’re like most people and don’t get enough vitamin E in dietary form, having it in a supplement is crucial for regulating hormones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Taking a new supplement doesn’t come without questions; let’s see if we can answer a few of them.
How Long Does It Take for DIM Supplements to Work?
Balancing hormones won’t happen overnight. It takes some time, even with a potent supplement like PrimeGenix DIM 3x. You may start seeing results in about two weeks, but it could take a little longer than that.
Stick with it, and over time you’ll likely find you have a better mood, more energy, better focus, and a healthier sex drive.
Who Shouldn’t Take DIM?
Most DIM supplements, including PrimeGenix DIM, are formulated for older adults, typically those over forty years old. That’s because hormonal issues tend to develop with age, especially in men. So you shouldn’t take DIM if you’re relatively young, and if you’re under 18, DIM is an absolute no-go.
Is It Better to Take DIM Supplements in the Morning or at Night?
You should always follow the dosage guidelines on your DIM supplement. With PrimeGenix DIM 3x, you should take one capsule three times per day with food. So, you’ll end up taking it in the morning, the afternoon, and with your evening meal.
What Will Happen When I Stop Taking DIM Supplements?
DIM is safe, and there are no known side effects at a 200 mg dosage like PrimeGenix DIM 3x provides. So if you decide to stop taking it, there shouldn’t be any ill effects.
Your hormones may shift, and you may feel like you did before you started supplementing, but there won’t be any withdrawal symptoms.
Should Women Take DIM?
Sometimes DIM is recommended to post-menopausal or perimenopausal women to help regulate shifting hormones. However, supplements like PrimeGenix DIM 3X were developed with men in mind, and women should avoid them.
Really, women of reproductive age should probably avoid DIM supplements altogether unless their doctor advises differently. Women of reproductive age need estrogen in higher amounts to support normal sexual function. High doses of DIM, like you’d get in supplement form, could be problematic.
Final Thoughts
Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice mental or physical performance. Balancing hormones, especially estrogen and testosterone, can help men regain their youthful edge.
DIM supplements are one of the best and most natural ways to do that. With a Diindolylmethane supplement, you can promote good estrogen, discourage bad estrogen, and naturally inhibit aromatase which turns testosterone into estrogen.
Over time, that means you could feel stronger and more mentally sharp. Plus, you won’t have to worry about problems in the bedroom anymore.
On top of that, high DIM levels could improve bone density, benefit skin health, and even reduce cancer risks. Taken altogether, it’s hard to imagine why you wouldn’t try a DIM supplement.
Also you should look into, “Lowering Chronic Stress May Be the Best Thing for Your Gains, to get in the best health you can.