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The Truth About Hormones and DIM’s Role in Breast Health

Posted By jenny Woudenberg On In Essential #6: Repair with Therapeutic Plants | Comments Disabled

Quick Read:

Hormones are your body’s messengers that influence everything: mood, metabolism, immune function, cellular health…you name it! Your body contains more than 50 different hormones, secreted by glands such as the thyroid, pancreas, pineal gland [1], ovaries, and pituitary. 

Yet hormones remain one of the most misunderstood areas of medicine.

As the renowned Dr. Berkson once explained, “Hormones are the most misunderstood genre of medicine. It is the ignorance of many (not all!) people in the medical community.”

Much of the latest hormone research, particularly research related to estrogen metabolism and breast cancer, is still not widely discussed in conventional medical training. That is why education, testing, and working with a knowledgeable private coach [2] are essential.

When hormones become imbalanced, the effects can range from mild symptoms like fatigue or weight gain to more serious concerns such as estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance will be explained in more detail below, but in short, it’s when breast tissue receives repeated signals to grow and divide because of an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone. Over time, this may increase the likelihood of DNA errors and tumor development.

Hormones fluctuate throughout your life—remember your awkward puberty days and the hot, cranky moments of menopause!? (Side note: Please read this blog [3] on naturally managing menopause.) The fluctuation can make you more or less susceptible to developing breast cancer at various times. However, once you understand this relationship, you are empowered to reduce your risk.

One powerful compound that helps restore healthy estrogen metabolism is DIM [4] (Diindolylmethane), and it’s even more powerful when combined with Estro Clear [5] and Broccoli Seed Extract [5].

Now, buckle up–we have a lot of estrogen exploring to do!

What Is DIM? [4]

But first, let’s start with the main focus of this blog post: DIM (Diindolylmethane). It’s a natural compound formed when your body digests cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, cabbage, etc. When these vegetables are broken down in the stomach, they produce indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which then converts into DIM.

DIM’s most important function is its ability to help regulate estrogen metabolism, supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways and encouraging the production of healthier estrogen metabolites. Because of this, DIM has become one of the most researched nutrients for hormone balance and breast health. It’s so important that it landed a spot in our signature line of supplements: DIM Balance [4].

DIM Balance [4] provides 100 mg of diindolylmethane (DIM) per softgel to support optimal estrogen metabolism.

This formula utilizes a proprietary blend of: MCT oils, Non-soy lecithin, Vitamin E for enhanced absorption and effectiveness.

Estrogen Is Not the Enemy.

One of the biggest misconceptions in breast cancer discussions is that estrogen itself is the problem. Estrogen is actually essential for health, and it comes in three different forms:

Your estrogen plays a key role in:

The real issue is xenoestrogens (harmful estrogens—and more on this later) and how estrogen is metabolized inside the body. When estrogen breaks down in the liver, it forms different metabolites. Some are protective, while others may stimulate cancer growth.

The goal is not to eliminate estrogen, but to ensure it metabolizes along protective pathways. This happens through a combination of supporting:

The EQ Ratio.

Knowing and understanding your hormone levels (especially estrogen and progesterone) is a critical first step in any healing journey because, without testing, you’re essentially guessing. 

One important marker to understand is the Estrogen Quotient (EQ). The EQ ratio looks at the balance between three key estrogens in your body:

Estriol/(Estradiol + Estrone)

As you learned above, Estriol is considered the more protective estrogen, while estradiol and estrone can be more stimulating to breast tissue. 

The ideal Pg (progesterone)/E2 Estradiol range is 100-500. 

If the ratio is low, it may indicate estrogen dominance, which can create an environment that favors breast cancer growth. Learn more about what your EQ ratio means, how to test it, and how to support healthier estrogen balance in our full blog post. [6]

DIM and Breast Cancer Research.

Now that we have explored the many avenues of estrogen, let’s get back on the DIM and breast cancer road to see what the latest studies are showing.

Research suggests DIM may:

Support healthier estrogen metabolism

DIM helps promote the formation of protective estrogen metabolites, reducing the formation of potentially harmful ones. (Study [7]) Additionally, DIM supplementation improved estrogen metabolism in women taking tamoxifen. (Study [8])

Improve outcomes with hormone therapies

DIM may help certain breast cancer medications, like tamoxifen, work better by influencing how estrogen signals to cells. (Study [9])

Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress

DIM may help calm inflammation in the body, which can otherwise support tumor growth and spread. (Study [10])

Influence cancer cell signaling

Laboratory research suggests that DIM may positively influence several biological processes linked to cancer growth, including how quickly cells multiply, how damaged cells self-destruct, and how tumors form new blood vessels. (Study [11])

Xenoestrogens: The Hidden Hormone Disruptors.

Xenoestrogens [12] and Metalloestrogens [13] are TOXIC estrogens that can bind to estrogen receptors, take up vital space in the body’s mammary tissues, and mimic the effects of estrogen in harmful ways. Basically, they are toxic chemicals that will masquerade as hormones in your body and wreak havoc on hormonal balance, which can lead to breast cancer.

Common sources include:

For more details and solutions to detoxifying these damaging forms of toxic estrogen, please review these two blog posts with great detail:

  1. Phytoestrogens Vs. Xenoestrogens [12]
  2. How Hidden Metalloestrogens Actually Threaten Breast Health [13]

DIM is known as the “dirty estrogen buster” for good reason: It powerfully clears the damaging estrogens mentioned above and balances hormones. Think of it as a metaphor for your body: DIM unclogs the toilet bowl; then you should collaborate with Broccoli Seed Extract [5] to clean out the pipes, and with Estro Clear [5] to make sure all toxins actually clear out of your body.

Estro Clear and Broccoli Seed Extract = DIM’s Besties.

We have mentioned both a few times, but this section is their time to shine and bring insight into why they make the perfect trio with DIM.

Estro Clear [5]

Estro Clear [5] is formulated with calcium D-glucarate, a compound naturally found in foods like broccoli (the best source), kale, apples, oranges, and cabbage. This compound supports the glucuronidation pathway, one of the body’s primary detox systems.

This detox pathway helps remove:

By helping prevent the recycling of estrogen in the digestive tract, calcium D-glucarate may support lower harmful circulating estrogen levels and give toxic estrogens the boot!

Broccoli Seed Extract

Cruciferous vegetables have long been associated with cancer prevention, and you can dig into all the details via this blog post. [14]

One of the key compounds responsible is sulforaphane, a potent plant compound found in broccoli sprouts. Broccoli Seed Extract [15] is a highly effective way to ensure you are getting this powerful compound [15] because one capsule equals 500 grams of fresh broccoli. Side note: the whole family can benefit from Broccoli Seed Extract [15]! 

Sulforaphane has been shown to: (Review this study [16] for more details)

More Ways To Support Hormone Health

While supplements can be powerful tools, they should always be paired with daily lifestyle choices. 

A few to start with include:

Healthy Hormones = Healthy YOU!

Hormones are incredibly powerful messengers. When balanced properly, they help the body function optimally. When disrupted, they can create an environment that invites diseases in. Supporting healthy estrogen metabolism with compounds like DIM and lifestyle changes plays an important role in maintaining breast health—and they are all things you have control over. So take charge of your healing today, starting with hormone balancing. 

Hormone Health Library

We could only pack in so much to this blog, so please review these other blogs and podcast episodes for more info: