Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is derived from the breakdown of glucobrassicin, a compound found in cruciferous vegetables. It is the precursor of DIM.

Diindoylmethane (DIM) is a molecule named for its structure (2 indole groups, 1 methane group) found as a component of Brassica vegetables.

I3C (Indole-3-carbinol) and DIM (di-indolyl-methane) favorably modulate estrogen metabolism and support healthy liver function ^3-7

I3C and DIM have been found to support healthy liver function.

Preclinical studies suggest that I3C and DIM support healthy breast tissue.

Preclinical studies showed that I3C and DIM support normal signaling pathways. ^9,10

Indole 3 Carbinol (I3C) and DIM support healthy cell division.^11-15

3. Cell Cycle. 2005 Sep;4(9):1201-15

4. C. Lett. 2008 Apr 18; 262(2): 153

5. Semin C. Biol. 2017 Oct;46:132-137

6. Curr Comput Aided Drug Des. 2017 Nov 10;13(4):294-302

7. Nutr C. 2004;50(2):161-7

9. Mol Cell Biochem. 2011 Dec;358(1-2):345-54

10. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2018 Jul 21. pii: S0003-9861(18)30087-0

11. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;928:131-154

12. J Surg Res. 2006 May 15;132(2):208-13

13. On. 2000 Nov 23;19(50):5764-71

14. Br J C. 2006 Feb 13;94(3):407-26

15. Br J C. 2014 Sep 23; 111(7): 1269–1274

Phytochemicals are organic compounds, found exclusively in plants. In plants, they play an essential role in plant survival.

Some estimates suggest more than 5,000 phytochemicals are known, but a large percentage of them are undiscovered.

Research has supported the health benefits of vegetables

“Research evidence strongly suggests that consumption of dietary phytochemicals found in vegetables and fruit can support health. Glucosinolates, a class of sulfur-containing glycosides, and their breakdown products such as the isothiocyanates, like Indole 3 Carbinol and DIM (Diindolylmethane), are present at substantial amounts in cruciferous vegetables.”¹

1. Asian Pac J C Prev. 2013;14(3):1565-70

Only a small percentage of Americans consumes the five daily servings of fruits and vegetables that the government recommends for good health. Even more distressing, the typical American diet is deficient in some of the most healthy foods available: (Brassica) cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collard/mustard greens, radish, rutabaga, turnip, and kale.

DIM and I3C are specifically referenced in Red Cabbage, Broccoli, and Cauliflower

Nutrient losses to storage and cooking

Studies have shown that even if you eat these vegetables every day, their beneficial glucosinolates may be lost during food storage, or degraded or leached out during food processing. Moreover, cooking cruciferous vegetables tends to inhibit the conversion of much of their glucosinolate content to beneficial compounds. Boiling cruciferous vegetables for 9–15 minutes resulted in an 18–59% decrease in the total glucosinolate content of cruciferous vegetables.2

Cooking methods that use less water, such as steaming or microwaving, may reduce glucosinolate losses. That is why many have looked for additional ways to supplement their dietary intake of these beneficial compounds like Indole 3 Carbinol & DIM.

2. Br J Nutr. 2003 Sep;90(3):687-972

Xenoestrogens are Estrogen-like compounds in the environment. We ingest and absorb xenoestrogens from plastics used in beverage bottles and food containers, such as BPA, industrial chemicals, and pesticides. In today’s world, they are almost impossible to avoid, but we can take steps to reduce our risk like avoiding canned foods and plastic water bottles.

We can also increase our intake of cruciferous vegetables and supplementation of Indole 3 Carbinol and DIM because these compounds support healthy liver function.⁸

8. Drug Metab Rev. 2000 Aug-Nov;32(3-4):395-411

There is much research ongoing to understand the health properties of Cruciferous vegetables.^17-19

16. Eur J C Prev. 2002 Aug;11 Suppl 2:S86-93

17. J Nutr. 2003 Jul;133(7 Suppl):2470S-2475S

18. J Nutr Biochem. 2006 Oct;17(10):659-64

19. C Res. 1999 Mar 15;59(6):1244-51