DIM and why you need it

Even though you know a healthy diet should include lots of fruits and vegetables, are you getting enough of them?

Even with the best intentions, most Americans do not consume the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. And even when they do, they may not realize they are skipping some of the most important ones.

Recent research has shown all fruits and vegetables are not the same when it comes to their nutritional value and health benefits. Studies have determined cruciferous vegetables have more nutrients per serving than many other vegetables.

What is DIM?
DIM (phytochemicals, diindolylmethane) is an indole phytonutrient found only in cruciferous vegetables. The way DIM gets into your system is an interesting process. Chewing cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, plant enzymes release DIM into your system. When exposed to stomach acid, these enzymes form a compound called indole-3 carbinol. This compound then yields DIM.

What does DIM do?
With DIM, it’s all about the relationship with estrogen. DIM directly affects the estrogen hormone and how it metabolizes.

You may not realize how much estrogen does for the human body. Estrogen regulates the growth and development of reproductive organs, assists in fertilization and pregnancy, controls the growth of the uterine lining, maintains bone structure, maintains the normal structure of skin and blood vessels, effects weight management, and regulates various metabolic processes.

When in balance, estrogen keeps the body happy, healthy
Here’s where it gets fascinating. Did you know there is more than one type of estrogen in the human body? One is called 2-methoxyestrogens or “good estrogen.” Researchers have specu-lated increasing the production of this type of estrogen would be very beneficial. This is where DIM comes in. DIM can increase the ratio of “good” to “bad” estrogen. Regularly using it as a supplement promotes beneficial estrogen metabolism and helps restore a healthy hormonal balance.

DIM supplements can be used effectively by men and women
Since the benefits of DIM are directly linked to estrogen, you may think only women can take it. There’s a common misconception that estrogen is a female-only hormone. The male body also produces and requires small amounts of estrogen as well. Estrogen supports the production of healthy, viable sperm. In men, estrogen is converted from testosterone and metabolized in the liver. Imbalances in the “good estrogen” to “bad estrogen” ratio can be responsible for the development of certain cancers, weight gain, brain fog and joint pain in men just as in women.

DIM supplements’ side effects
Micronized DIM has been available and in use for many years. During this time, there have been no reports of adverse effects associated with DIM.
Some people have noticed harmless changes in urine color when taking DIM supplements. This happens because DIM metabolites have an amber color that transfers to your urine. This is not uncommon as dark urine also occurs in individuals who eat large amounts of cruciferous vegetables.

DIM supplementation excels at:

• Balancing hormones
• Providing antioxidants to prevent damage from free radicals in the body
• Supporting weight loss
• Improving memory
• Boosting your mood
• Supporting strong bones
• Enhancing energy
• Reducing PMS symptoms
• Helping to balance estrogen
• Improving cardiovascular health
• Increasing healthy muscle development
• Improving prostate health in men

If you love your cruciferous vegetables, you may also want to consider taking Micronized DIM. You would have to eat nearly eight pounds of cruciferous vegetables a day to get the same benefits as taking DIM supplements.

If you decide to start taking DIM, please find it in a micronized form. A micronized form is the only way for the body to adequately absorb DIM. The DIM we carry at Maricopa Wellness Center is a high quality, easily absorbable micronized form, medical grade, and third-party tested for potency.

520-464-6193
MaricopaWellnessCenter.com

 This sponsored content was first published in the July edition of InMaricopa magazine.