5% Nutrition DIM

5% Nutrition DIM

What is DIM?

Before we dig into the benefits of DIM, let’s understand that DIM comes from Indole-3-Carbinol. That’s a phytochemical in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, Brussel sprouts, and cabbage which are broken down by the body into various molecules; one of those molecules is 3,3’-Diindolylmethane (DIM). 

What are the benefits of DIM?

First, it has a positive effect on estrogen regulation, helping to block the conversion of excess testosterone into estrogen. Supporting hormone balance, DIM can lower the negative side effects of having too much estrogen in the body.

When estrogen levels are imbalanced, the body can store additional fat and undermine your goals around a toned and low-fat physique. With proper diet and training, DIM may help shed that extra fat and prevent new fat cells from forming.

A natural energy enhancer, DIM can also support your body's estrogen metabolism, helping you to fight off fatigue, reduce the symptoms of stress, and give you the focus you need to get through your day.

DIM for Men

If you’re on or ending an aggressive supplement program, no doubt you’re concerned about hormonal balance. Getting your testosterone levels back to normal is a priority. Another priority is controlling estrogen. That’s because excess levels of estrogen in men can lead to several unpleasant problems such as gaining fat around your stomach and “man-boobs”. It also tends to leave you with a lack of energy and slower muscle growth.

The body naturally converts excess testosterone to estrogen by a process called aromatization. Normally, this is a good thing because it helps keep your hormones in balance. However, when you have higher than normal testosterone levels, your estrogen levels also increase.

What happens when you end your cycle? Your natural testosterone levels are low and take time to return to normal. Yet estrogen is reacting to the higher levels of test you had during your cycle. That means estrogen is way too high.

DIM for Women

DIM helps a woman’s body create the right balance of “good estrogens” to “bad estrogens”. Briefly, estrogens are a group of hormones that occur naturally in both men and women. Both men and women need a certain level for normal health. As estrogen breaks down in the body, its metabolites can either help or harm a woman’s health. That’s why they are called “bad” and “good” estrogen metabolites. The “good” estrogen metabolites have high antioxidant activity. The “bad” estrogen metabolites lead to unwanted body composition changes. That means we want to increase the proportion of good metabolites to bad metabolites. DIM supports this process.⁽¹⁾

Benefits Of "Good" Estrogen

It should be noted that for both men and women, DIM has been shown to help improve overall metabolism. That’s because it’s a natural regulator of energy metabolism. In other words, it helps convert stored fat into energy.  “Good” estrogens also help reduce inflammation. This can help ease post-workout soreness. These are the positive effects of normal levels of estrogen.⁽²⁾