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DIM Supplements This month’s question is: “I have been changing some of my supplements, and I am considering taking DIM. There are a lot of ways it would be beneficial to me, and I'd really like to take it. I recently read that people who are on thyroid medication need to watch their intake of broccoli because it contains enzymes that can disable thyroid function. The advice was to monitor your intake and don't consume broccoli at the same time you take your thyroid medication. My thyroid function is low, and I take Armour thyroid to give it a boost. I have found a good DIM supplement that is the equivalent of eating lots of broccoli. Can I still take the supplement without it interfering with my thyroid medication?” This is a wonderful question! Surfing the Internet you will get a wide variety of information on this subject. My first comment is – when in doubt – “Don’t.” As exciting as all the hoopla is, your body is the most precious thing you have and there is never a reason to put it at risk because of lack of good information. DIM (Diindolylmethane) is a natural compound found in vegetables like broccoli, turnips, kale and several more. Green vegetables have long had the reputation for being beneficial for anyone with concerns about cancer, however we have been talking about “eating” these vegetables in their natural state – not taking a commercially prepared supplement that may be chemically altered for “more potency” against tumors. I am an advocate of the belief that God has made the perfect balances of nutrition for the human body and that man tends to dink around with these things a little too much. For instance, DIM has a precursor – indole-3-carbinol, known as 13C. This precursor 13C has had many issues arise when it comes to safety. The National Health Institute (NIH) has published articles that indicate much more testing is necessary due to the possibilities of carcinogenesis and additionally genetic toxicity. DIM may actually be a blessing, but determining which DIM products to use could be a very in-depth and long-term investigation for any individual. You should begin by studying the databases in the National Library of Medicine. DIM has been tested on humans and there are studies involving both DIM and 13C. DIM is purported to be the supplement of choice in cases of cervical dysphasia and those with breast cancer risk. My concern is that too much effort has been placed on 13C – we may need more testing on DIM specifically. Also, how do you choose a DIM supplement and trust the manufacturer when it comes to an issue this sensitive? According to researchers, DIM supplementation has been shown effective in amounts that are parallel to those obtainable from our diet (0.3 mg per day). So, wouldn't it be easier to eat these vegetables in their natural state? The thyroid would be influenced only if these vegetables were eaten too close to the thyroid medication times. This really becomes a personal issue – about diet, supplementation preferences, and your personal allopathic medication protocols. I suggest that you do not let the “fear” of estrogenic-related conditions, including cancers, force you into a decision you have not weighed out carefully. Check out these websites for more information: — Joan © 2007 Joan Goodman
Joan Goodman,
CTN, MH 281-493-9473 All articles are copyrighted by Joan Goodman. They may only be reprinted with her express permission. |