Diindolylmethane: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Diindolylmethane is made in the body from a chemical called indole-3-carbinol, which is found in cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli.

Diindolylmethane might act like estrogen in the body, but might also block estrogen effects. It appears to help destroy cancer cells and reduce swelling.

People commonly use diindolylmethane for breast cancer, prostate cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Diindolylmethane overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Diindolylmethane is commonly consumed in foods. A typical diet supplies 2-24 mg of diindolylmethane daily. It is possibly safe for most people when taken in doses up to 150 mg daily for up to 1 year. The most common side effects include headache, nausea, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea.

Taking larger doses of diindolylmethane is possibly unsafe. Taking 600 mg of diindolylmethane daily might lower sodium levels in some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Diindolylmethane is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if larger amounts are safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: Diindolylmethane is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if larger amounts are safe.

Hormone-sensitive conditions: Diindolylmethane might act like estrogen, so it might make hormone-sensitive conditions worse. These conditions include breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, ovarian cancer, a painful uterine disorder (endometriosis), or non-cancerous growths of the uterus (uterine fibroids). Until more is known, don't use diindolylmethane if you have a hormone-sensitive condition.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with Diindolylmethane
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Diindolylmethane might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with Diindolylmethane
Diindolylmethane can decrease sodium levels. "Water pills" can also decrease sodium levels. Taking "water pills" along with diindolylmethane might make sodium levels drop too low.
Estrogens interacts with Diindolylmethane
Diindolylmethane might have effects similar to estrogen. But in some cases, diindolylmethane might oppose the effects of estrogen. Taking large amounts of diindolylmethane might interfere with hormone replacement therapy.

Dosing

Diindolylmethane is naturally made in the stomach after eating vegetables that contain the chemical called indole-3-carbinol. Vegetables that contain this chemical include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts. A typical diet supplies 2-24 mg of diindolylmethane daily.

In supplements, diindolylmethane has most often been used by adults in doses of 100-150 mg by mouth daily for 1-12 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

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Diindolylmethane - Uses, Side Effects, and More