This month is breast cancer awareness month and I want everyone to be aware of a supplement that I think is essential in preventing breast cancer.

That supplement is indole-3-carbinol (IC3). The supplement Bioresponse DIM is equally as good. This is how these supplements work:

Estrogen and its metabolites (which is what estrogen breaks down into) have a variety of functions. However, imbalanced estrogens can cause increased levels of some metabolites that are more potent and pose challenges to the health of breast tissue. Estrogen gets detoxified and eliminated through the liver. There are two major hydroxylation pathways in the metabolism of estrogen. One pathway yields the protective metabolite called 2- hydroxyestrone, and the other pathway yields a more dangerous metabolite known as 16 alpha -hydroxyestrone. This “bad” metabolite has more estrogenic activity and is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.

The goal is to increase or help shunt estrogen into the 2-hydroxylation pathway which is what indole-3-carbinol can do. It promotes the formation of this “good” metabolite. This product is a naturally occurring compound derived from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. One capsule is the equivalent of about a bushel of broccoli! IC3 is broken down upon contact with stomach acids and is converted into diindolylmethane (DIM). With most of our diets lacking cruciferous vegetables, Biorespone DIM or IC3 is an effective way of promoting a healthy balance of estrogens.

There are tests that can measure ones estrogen metabolites, either by blood or urine. Ask your practitioner for more information about these tests.

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