Diindolylmethane (DIM), a naturally occurring compound in cruciferous vegetables, offers potential health benefits for men, particularly related to hormonal health.
Some studies suggest that DIM supplements provide cancer-fighting properties and regulate steroid hormones that affect the prostate, weight loss, skin, and sexual drive.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of DIM for men.
What Are DIM Supplements?
DIM is a compound created when your body digests cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Although data is limited, some research suggests that eating a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables may reduce the risk of several human cancers.
Cruciferous vegetables have many nutrients, including antioxidants, vitamins C, E, and K, folate, beta carotene, minerals, and many others. They also include glucosinolates, which are the sulfur-containing chemicals that give them their characteristic bitter flavor and strong smell.
When we prepare these vegetables, chew them, and digest them, the glucosinolates break down to form compounds known as indoles, nitriles, thiocyanates, and isothiocyanates. In human stomachs, stomach acid breaks down I3C into another compound, DIM.
DIM then controls the expression and activity of certain enzymes, specifically those that eliminate and metabolize toxins, carcinogens, and steroid hormones. DIM works to help our bodies get rid of waste and balance out hormones. This compound promotes the production of 2-hydroxy estrone (2-OHE1), a type of estrogen.
Research suggests that this estrogen protects against tumors, specifically those driven by sex hormones.
DIM Benefits for Males
The benefits of DIM supplements for females are numerous, including easing PMS, reducing menopause symptoms, protecting against breast cancer, and encouraging healthy hormonal balance. But does DIM have any benefits for men?
Hormone imbalance can affect both men and women alike, and the consequences of hormone imbalance are numerous, including affecting our brains, bones, skin, and sexual functioning. People often use DIM supplements to help regulate hormones, especially estrogen.
For men who may be dealing with excess estrogen or looking for other ways to balance reducing testosterone, DIM may have some fascinating benefits.
#1 May Help Prevent Cancer
According to a 2013 study, indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a phytochemical in cruciferous veggies with the most frequently examined anticancer effects. But, there is some evidence to suggest that taking DIM supplements in low doses may also help prevent cancer.
These studies, based on animal studies, suggest that DIM protects cells against oxidative stress and hinders cancer cells from invading and increasing. Yet, human studies are limited. Research shows that most of the effects lower the risk of breast cancer, but these effects may extend to all cancers affected by steroid hormones.
DIM supplements may protect against prostate and colon cancer risks in men.
#2 Possible Prostate Protection
The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland that produces seminal fluid that sustains and transports sperm. This gland is below the bladder. It surrounds the top portion of the urethra. The prostate's muscles aid in ejaculation and push semen through the urethra during orgasm.
Men over 40 often develop a larger prostate that can grow to the size of a lemon. Some prostate enlargement is benign, but others cause issues such as prostate cancer and prostatitis (an inflammation of the prostate due to bacteria).
Symptoms of prostate issues include the following:
- Frequent urge to pee (especially at night)
- Pain while peeing or ejaculating
- Dribbling of pee
- Difficulty peeing
- Pain in the penis, testicles, or perineum
- Erectile dysfunction
- Blood or semen in urine
- Lower back, hip, or chest pain
Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) is a disease that is a precursor to prostate cancer, where prostate cell growth increases. PIN is associated with hormonal imbalance. As men age, female hormones, such as estrogen, increase. Estrogen stimulates stromal cells in the prostate, leading to abnormal cells and inflammation. Unmetabolized estrogen can collect in the prostate tissue as men age.
A study conducted in 2016 found that giving men with PIN 900 mg of DIM a day improved their prostate health. DIM has strong anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce prostate enlargement. The supplement also reactivates tumor suppressor genes.
The benefits of DIM supplements can include lowering your risk of prostate issues. Aging men may benefit from adding this supplement to their diets for additional prostate support.
#3 Could Support Weight Loss
Estrogen levels affect fat collection. High levels of estrogen trigger the pancreas to secrete more insulin. If the body continually gets signals from insulin to convert sugars in the blood to energy, it can become resistant. Insulin resistance affects how blood sugars are broken down by the body, leading to higher blood sugar and weight gain.
Men with high estrogen levels may experience weight gain. Medications, medical procedures, and stress are frequent causes of increased estrogen in men. Estrogen balance affects men's central nervous system, adipose tissue, immune regulation, and skeletal muscles. All of these contribute to body weight and body composition in men.
But, low estrogen levels may also cause weight gain in men. One cause of estrogen level deficiency occurs when men undergo androgen deprivation treatment (ADT) for prostate cancer. The treatment works to reduce the levels of androgens in the body to treat prostate cancer, but this treatment also reduces estrogen. ADT patients are at a higher risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease.
The enzyme aromatase converts testosterone to estrogen. Accelerated testosterone metabolism can be an issue for older men or men going through ADT. DIM may help to slow down the conversion of testosterone into estrogen.
DIM supplements help balance estrogen levels, aiding in weight loss. Animal studies have seen that DIM promotes healthy estrogen metabolism and encourages fat loss, reducing the formation of new fat cells.
#4 May Treat Acne
You may have thought that you left acne behind during your teenage years, but acne can affect men and women of all ages. Acne is a skin condition in which hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin. It can be unsightly and painful, and severe acne can lead to scarring and lower self-esteem.
There are many different types of acne, including whiteheads (closed, clogged pores), blackheads (open, clogged pores), papules (red, tender bumps), pustules (pimples), nodules (large, painful lumps, and cystic lesions (painful, pus-filled lumps). Acne usually appears on the face, chest, upper back, shoulders, and forehead.
Women tend to get adult acne more than men do, but fluctuating hormones, stress, hair and skin care products, medications, and medical conditions may cause adult acne in both men and women. The sudden onset of acne in older adults may be a signal of an underlying disease such as androgen-secreting tumors, Cushing's disease, or Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).
Taking DIM supplements may slow the growth of acne-causing bacteria. It may also prevent microorganisms from forming a film on the skin. Hormonal acne is a leading cause of adult acne, and DIM may help to rebalance hormones and decrease sebum production. This hormone rebalance can reduce acne flare-ups.
#5 Could Support Testosterone Regulation
For years, people considered testosterone a male hormone and estrogen a female hormone, but these sex hormones are far more complex than that. Estradiol, a predominant form of estrogen, also plays a critical role in male sexual function. Without healthy estrogen levels, men may experience low libido, erectile dysfunction, and low sperm count.
The brain, penis, and testis are the main areas where the enzyme aromatase resides. In the brain, these enzymes function to create sexual arousal. Regarding the penis, low testosterone levels and high estrogen levels increase the likelihood of erectile dysfunction. In the testes, the balance of estradiol is vital in creating healthy sperm.
DIM may correct some of these estrogen hormone imbalances, leading to better testosterone regulation and better sexual health. However, there have been no studies on DIM supplements' effects on testosterone regulation in humans.
Hormonal imbalance can affect your overall wellness. If you want to balance your hormones as you age, consider Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). Here at Male Excel, we understand that aging can be brutal. Our mission is to provide you with a convenient and safe way to get TRT therapy online. We offer daily testosterone injections and topical creams that closely mimic your body's natural hormone production cycle.
This highly effective approach delivers optimal results, has less risk of side effects, and is easily customized for your body by your provider. This hormone therapy can help restore your energy, give you renewed confidence, increase your sex drive, promote weight loss, define muscles, and aid in mental clarity.
Risk Factors for DIM
As with all supplements, reviewing the side effects and interactions before taking anything new is important. Some of the side effects associated with DIM supplements include the following:
- Smelly urine
- Headaches
- Darker urine
- Increased bowel movements
- Gas
DIM can also affect people who are sensitive to hormones. If you've had trouble with hormone therapies in the past, DIM might not be right for you.
Some people may experience an upset stomach when taking DIM supplements. Usually, taking them with food solves this issue.
If you experience darker urine, this is normal. Eating large amounts of cruciferous vegetables produces a similar effect. If you drink 6-8 glasses of water per day, it will return your urine to a more appropriate color.
However, if you have abnormally smelly urine paired with a dark coloration, seek a healthcare provider. You could be suffering from a urinary tract infection.
How Do You Take DIM Supplements?
The American Health Association recommends 4-5 servings of vegetables daily to promote heart health. To reap the benefits of DIM, you would need to eat approximately five servings of cruciferous vegetables per week. One serving of cruciferous vegetables equals one cup of raw or cooked broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts.
Although most people can simply increase their consumption of cruciferous vegetables to reap the rewards of DIM, there are several reasons why people choose to take supplements instead. Some people do not like the taste of these vegetables. Others intend to add more to their diet but don't eat enough broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower to experience DIM benefits.
Cruciferous vegetables are also high in sulfur. They can cause bloating and gas, especially in people with irritable bowel syndrome. Some people may also be allergic to them. So, supplements are a better option for these lifestyle choices.
DIM is a dietary supplement available in pill, capsule, and powder form. It should be taken with food. Normal diets consist of about 2-24 mg of diindolylmethane a day. In a study, healthy people could take a 200 mg dosage daily with few side effects. Doctors have recommended higher doses to treat cancer and prostate enlargement.
DIM should be taken with food to prevent stomach upset. Most people take it first thing in the morning with a glass of water and a light breakfast.
DIM is available at most health and drug stores and online supplement stores. Be sure to research the brand of the supplement. Not all supplements are made at the same quality level. Also, be sure to check the ingredient list and the source of the DIM for the best possible supplements.
However, it is important to consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplements. Your doctor can help to recommend the best dosage for your body. They will also be able to tell you about any possible interactions or risks associated with adding DIM supplements to your diet.
Conclusion: The Benefits of DIM for Men
Some studies support that DIM supplements may prevent cancer and regulate hormone levels. These DIM benefits are great for both men and women for weight loss, skin care, and sexual function. Most of the studies on DIM were done on animals, so human studies are limited. It is important to consult a medical professional before starting any new supplements to make sure it is right for you and your body.
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