Diindolylmethane: Hormone Balance - Hormonal Health

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Hormone Balance - Hormonal Health

 

 

by Carrie Louise Daenell, ND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The discovery of an absorbable form of diindolylmethane is most clinically

promising for people suffering from hormonal imbalances, and poor breast,

prostate and uterine health. Diindolylmethane is a phytochemical produced inside

the body from the indole-3-carbinol (I3C) that occurs naturally in cruciferous

vegetables. (Phytochemicals are simply chemicals that come from plants.)

Vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower contain

I3C. I3C forms the hormone balancer diindolylmethane. Diindolylmethane

encourages estrogens in the body to select certain enzymatic pathways that

result in break-down products that are actually balancing for hormonal health.1

As a result, they are cardio-protective, and cancer protective for certain

tissues in the body including those found in the breast, prostate and uterus.

 

The effects of diindolylmethane can be measured in laboratory testing on urine.2

When the body produces unhealthy estrogen breakdown products, they are measured

in high levels, while the healthy breakdown products are measured in low levels.

Until diindolylmethane was produced in an absorbable form, achieving powerful

clinical advantages (proven with positive laboratory outcomes) was not possible.

Unfortunately, in order to get enough diindolylmethane to achieve positive

changes in hormonal health by eating these vegetables, a person would have to

eat so many of them that it would be bad for their thyroid and their digestive

health. No one can afford to compromise these very important systems in the

body! It was then thought that the I3C might be extracted directly as a dietary

supplement. Unfortunately, once extracted, it is unstable in supplement form,

and loses its potency before it can be used. Diindolylmethane itself, is very

stable as a supplement. Diindolylmethane, however,

does not absorb well in the body. As you can see, researchers were so close to

a clinical solution to hormonal health, and yet so far away.

 

The good news is that a research physician was able to make diindolylmethane

absorbable, while retaining its stability in a supplement form. This was done

naturally. It resulted in the production of what scientists call " bioavailable "

diindolylmethane. This is simply diindolylmethane made into a form that the body

can use. Since this form is all natural, it retains its safety while ensuring

its clinical effectiveness.

 

DIINDOLYLMETHANE FOR MEN

 

If diindolylmethane is responsible for healthy estrogen breakdown in the body,

how does that ensure prostate health? As very few people realize, estrogen

levels in men rise as they age. Researchers are beginning to suspect that it is

this increase in estrogen production, with a shift in its metabolism toward

unhealthy breakdown products, that leads to changes in prostate tissue health.

Inappropriate testosterone metabolism also plays a role. However, that role may

be secondary to the substantial role played by improper estrogen metabolism.3-4

 

DIINDOLYLMETHANE FOR MENOPAUSAL WOMEN

 

Hormone replacement therapy, especially when taken in a natural form, has the

ability to enhance health and quality of life for many women. The health

benefits include decreased mortality, increased memory, lower risk of

Alzheimer's and dementia, stronger bones, a decreased incidence of cancerous

changes in breast and uterine tissues, and a significant reduction in

cardiovascular disease.5-10 The quality of life benefits include an increased

sense of vitality and well-being, enhanced sexual function, and a decrease in

hot flashes, insomnia, mood changes and urinary incontinence. The body's ability

to obtain the health benefits of estrogen, when supplemented, depends upon its

ability to break estrogen down in a healthful fashion. Diindolylmethane ensures

this healthful breakdown of estrogen. The consequences of the unhealthful

breakdown of estrogen include cancer cell initiation and promotion in

estrogen-related breast and uterine cancers. Even women that choose not to

pursue hormone

replacement therapy have much to gain from the use of diindolylmethane. It will

help her metabolize the limited estrogen that her body makes on its own into

breakdown products that are cancer- and cardio-protective. It will also increase

her body's own production of progesterone.11-12 Increased levels of progesterone

will further balance her hormones, resolving mood changes, headaches, insomnia

and breast pain. Additionally, progesterone is an important hormone for

maintaining strong bones. From a physician's perspective, diindolylmethane can

be essential for hormone, breast and uterine health.

 

DIINDOLYLMETHANE FOR WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE

 

Many women, starting with their first menses, are unable to metabolize estrogen

in a balanced fashion. Taking the birth control pill can further complicate the

unhealthy breakdown of estrogen. The unhealthful breakdown of estrogens,

resulting in increased levels of a particular type of " bad estrogens " -- called

16 Hydroxylated estrogens -- is associated with cervical dysplasia.13 Without

conducting a laboratory test, a woman who demonstrates symptoms such as heavy

bleeding, cramping, PMS, fibrocystic breast changes, uterine fibroids,

endometriosis or ovarian cyst formation is obviously suffering from a hormonal

imbalance. If the birth control pill was prescribed in order to treat these

symptoms, it is simply masking them. This leaves the underlying problem of

poorly metabolized estrogens unchanged.

 

Low levels of progesterone may also complicate this imbalance. Years or even

decades before menopause, many women demonstrate abnormally low levels of

progesterone on blood testing. Diindolylmethane will ensure the healthful

breakdown of estrogens, balancing estrogen in the body. It will also support the

body in its production of normal levels of progesterone. The symptoms of

hormonal imbalance listed above will be resolved with both the proper breakdown

of estrogens and the body's production of normal levels of progesterone. When a

woman is looking to treat the cause of her hormonal imbalance, in lieu of simply

masking the symptoms, diindolylmethane may be the support her body needs to

bring itself to normal. The long-term health benefits of hormonal balance, the

healthful breakdown of estrogens, and proper levels of progesterone are

preventative for estrogen-related cancers in breast and uterine tissues,

cardiovascular disease, and bone density losses.

 

DIINDOLYLMETHANE AND BREAST, PROSTATE AND UTERINE CANCER

 

Diindolylmethane promotes the healthful breakdown of estrogens. It

simultaneously decreases levels of unhealthful estrogen breakdown products. What

does this mean for cancerous changes? Some of the healthful estrogen breakdown

products include: 2-Hydroxy Estradiol, 2-Hydroxy Estrone, 2-Methoxy-estradiol

and 2-Methoxy-estrone. These " good estrogens " prevent and attack cancerous cell

formation in several different ways.14-18 The anti-cancer properties of these

" good estrogens " are so varied, and work in so many different ways, that some

studies actually link them with decreased risks for other cancers such as lung,

stomach, colon and rectal cancers.19-20 This is in addition to the widely

confirmed studies that show its direct affect on decreasing the estrogen-related

cancers in breast, prostate and uterine tissues. In the prostate, the " good

estrogens " lead to decreased Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) activity. When

this happens, prostate cell growth, PSA levels, and cellular

estrogen and testosterone levels all normalize. Regulated activity of SHBG also

prevents a certain phase of cell division. This support at a cellular level

prevents the over growth of prostate cells. Conversely, the unhealthful

breakdown products include: 16-alpha Hydroxy Estrone, 4-Hydroxy Estrone and

2-Methoxy-estriol. Unfortunately, the first two of the " bad estrogens " listed

are actually considered to be " carcinogenic " or cancer-promoting substances. The

last of the " bad estrogens " listed merely interrupts the body's natural timing

for normal cell death, allowing cells to grow out of control. Uncontrolled cell

growth is called " cancer. " An increase in levels of these " bad estrogens " is

associated with an increased risk for breast, prostate and uterine cancer.

Diindolylmethane decreases levels of " bad estrogens " and promotes higher levels

of " good estrogens " through its ability to encourage the healthful breakdown of

estrogen.21-26

 

 

 

SELECTED REFERENCES

 

1. Jellinck PH, et al. Ah receptor binding properties of indole carbinols and

induction of hepatic estradiol hydroxylation. Biochem Pharmacol 1993 Mar

9;45(5):1129-1136.

 

2. Kall, MA, et al. Effects of dietary broccoli on human drug metabolizing

enzymes: Evaluation of caffeine, oestrone and chlorzoxazone metabolism.

Carcinogenesis 1996;17:793-799.

 

3. Farnsworth WE. Role of estrogen and SHBG in prostate physiology. The Prostate

1996;28:17-23.

 

4. Nakhla AM, et al. Estradiol activates the prostate androgen receptor and

prostate specific antigen secretion through the intermediacy of sex hormone

binding globulin. J Biol Chem 1997;272:6838-6841.

 

5. Calaf I, Alsina J. Benefits of hormone replacement therapy - overview and

update. International J. of Fertility and Women's Medicine 1997;42 Suppl

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6. Groodstein F, et al. Postmenopausal hormone therapy and mortality. NEJM

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neuroprotection: potential relevance for Alzheimer's Disease. Molecular

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8. Maxim P, et al. Fractur protection provided by long term estrogen replacement

therapy. Osteoporosis Int. 1995;5:23-29.

 

9. Manson JE. Postmenopausal hormone replacement and atherosclerotic disease.

American Heart Journal 1994;128:1337-1343.

 

10. Spector TD, et al. Is hormone replacement therapy protective for hand and

knee osteoarthritis in women? The Chingford study. Annals of the Rheumatic

Diseases 1997;56:432-434.

 

11. Spicer LJ and Hammond JM. Comparative effects of androgens and

catecholestrogens on progesterone production by porcine granulosa cells.

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12. Tekpetey FR and Armstrong DT. Catecholestrogen modulation of steroid

production by rat luteal cells: mechanism of action. Molecular and Cellular

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13. Sepkovic DW, et al. Estrogen metabolite ratios and risk assessment of

hormone-related cancers: assay validation and prediction of cervical cancer

risk. Ann NY Acad Sci 1995.; 768:312-316.

 

14. Yue T, et al. 2-Methoxyestradiol, an endogenous estrogen metabolite, induces

apoptosis in endothelial cells and inhibits angiogenesis: Possible role for

stress-activated protein kinase signaling pathway and fas expression. Molec

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15. Telang NT, et al. Inhibition of proliferation and modulation estradiol

metabolism: Novel mechanisms for breast cancer prevention by the phytochemical

indole-3-carbinol. Proc Soc Experi Biol Med 1997;216:246-252.

 

16. Fishman J. Biological action of catechol oestrogens. J Endocrin

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17. Nakhla AM, et al. Estradiol causes the rapid accumulation of camp in human

prostate. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1994;91:5402-5405.

 

18. Chen I, et al. Indole-3-carbinol and diindolylmethane as aryl hydrocarbon

(Ah) receptor agonists and antagonists in T47D human breast cancer calls.

Biochem Pharm 1996;51:1069-1076.

 

19. Verhoven DTH, et al. Epidemiological studies on brassica vegetables and

cancer risk. Cancer epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1996;5:733-748.

 

20. Guo D. Protection bychorophyllin and indole-3-carbonol against

2-amina-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)-induced DNA adducts and

colonic aberrant crypts in the f344 rat. Carcinogenesis 1995;16:2931-2937.

 

21. Cavalieri EL, et al. Molecular origin of cancer: Catechol estrogen-3,

4-quinones as endogenous tumor initiators. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA

1997;94:10937-10942.

 

22. Schneider J, et al. Abnormal oxidative metabolism of estradiol in women with

breast cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1982;79:3047-3051.

 

23. Bradlow HL, et al. 16 a hydroxylation of estradiol: a possible risk marker

for breast cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1986;237:138-151.

 

24. Kabat GC, et al. Urinary estrogen metabolites and breast cancer: a

case-control study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1997 Jul;6(7):505-509.

 

25. Meilahn EN, et al. Do urinary oestrogen metabolites predict breast cancer?

Guernsey III cohort follow-up. British J of Cancer 1998;78:1250-1255.

 

26. HoGH, et al. Urinary 2/16 alpha-hydroxyestrone ratio: correlation with serum

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cancer risk. Ann Acad Med Singapore 1998;27:294-299.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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