DIM
Diindolylmethane · Metabolic
A broccoli-derived compound sold for "estrogen balance" on largely preclinical grounds.
What the evidence says
DIM does shift estrogen metabolism toward 2-hydroxy metabolites, which is measurable and real. Whether that shift produces any benefit — for hormonal acne, for menopausal symptoms, for cancer risk — is where the evidence runs out; most work is cell, animal or small mechanistic human studies rather than outcome trials.
What studies used
Studies commonly used 100–300 mg/day. Published studies had not established a preferred timing.
Reported from published studies and product labelling — a record of what was used in research, not a recommendation. What is right for you is a conversation with a clinician.
Watch out for
- A randomised trial in women taking tamoxifen found DIM REDUCED tamoxifen metabolite levels including endoxifen — a genuine interaction with a cancer therapy, and the most important thing on this entry
- It is not an aromatase inhibitor and does not act like one, despite frequently being sold beside them
- Commonly turns urine orange or brown — harmless but alarming if unexpected
Evidence base
established literature
Strong human evidence: either a phase 3 or 4 trial report alongside review-level evidence, or ten or more randomised controlled trial reports.
This letter measures how much human research exists, not whether it works for you — the tier above (Limited) is the read on quality.
Research (12)
- Exosome-sheathed porous silica nanoparticle-mediated co-delivery of 3,3'-diindolylmethane and doxorubicin attenuates cancer stem cell-driven EMT in triple negative breast cancerJ Nanobiotechnology · 2024
- 3, 3'-diindolylmethane enhances macrophage efferocytosis and subsequently relieves visceral pain via the AhR/Nrf2/Arg-1-mediated arginine metabolism pathwayPhytomedicine · 2023
- Benzo[a]pyrene toxicokinetics in humans following dietary supplementation with 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) or Brussels sproutsToxicol Appl Pharmacol · 2023
- Decreased mitochondrial translation confers 3,3'-Diindolylmethane resistance to Schizosaccharomyces pombeBiochem Biophys Res Commun · 2024
- Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of 3,3'-Diindolylmethane in Gastrointestinal CancerInt J Mol Sci · 2016
- General Synthesis of Unsymmetrical 3,3'-(Aza)diindolylmethane DerivativesJ Org Chem · 2018
- The impact of 3,3'-diindolylmethane on estradiol and estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women using a transdermal estradiol patchMenopause · 2025
- 3,3'-Diindolylmethane disrupts the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope in Schizosaccharomyces pombeBiochem Biophys Res Commun · 2024
- 3,3'-Diindolylmethane Exhibits Significant Metabolism after Oral Dosing in HumansDrug Metab Dispos · 2021
- 3,3'-Diindolylmethane Ameliorates Metabolism Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease via AhR/p38 MAPK SignalingNutrients · 2025
- 3,3'-Diindolylmethane and 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid prevent chronic mild stress induced depressive-like behaviors in female miceJ Affect Disord · 2022
- 3, 3'- diindolylmethane hinders IL-17A/IL-17RA interaction and mitigates imiquimod-induced psoriasiform in miceInt Immunopharmacol · 2022
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