How DIM Helps Detox
This discussion is for people who don't mind diving into the deep end of the pool. My primary goal is to reduce the complexity of health topics into the most simple and meaningful way possible.
Helps to Know Your Genetic Strengths and Weaknesses
We have used different genetics analysis programs over the years with varied results. The goal was to learn which genes seem to need some additional help, sometimes in the form of dietary supplements. Some physiological processes respond to some simple supplementation, and some will have to wait for techniques that actually alter the genetic code. That technology has been worked on since I was in college in the 1970s and is just beginning to bear fruit.
Genetic Information is Cheap and Easy for the First Time in History
When we check a person's genetic profile, we are looking for DNA sequences that code for specific proteins. Many of these significant proteins are enzymes that help speed along specific biochemical processes that help ensure your health and well-being. First step is to get your DNA sequenced with some commercial service like ancestry.com or 23andme. Other services can access this raw data and create useful reports. We have used nutrahacker.com in the past but this program seems to get less and less friendly with each "upgrade". I am referring to links that have information that may or may not be helpful depending on when you are reading this.
Some Possible Gene Reporting Services
Look for Detox and Endocrine Pathways
It is helpful to know which enzymes you aren't being produced at a healthy level. Some of these key enzymes that we will be discussing are active in detox pathways and some in HPA axis and endocrine pathways.
DIM is often Helpful
The point of this particular discussion is the application of DIM or diindolylmethane. I don't want to just give you a list of reasons to take DIM. I prefer for you to have a basic understanding of the underlying physiology so you can better utilize a resource like DIM to your advantage.
In many of the genetic profiles, I see some of the same enzyme deficiencies and some of these can be helped by DIM. I will list some of these here and will discuss these in general terms. My goal isn't to make your eyes glaze over but to familiarize you with some of these names so you will recognize them more readily when you see them again.
Detox Enzymes and Hormone Enzymes
The key enzymes are CYP1A1, CYP1A2, ESR1 and ESR2. The CYP1A2 has two different forms, ESR1 has two forms and ESR2 has three forms.
The CYP enzymes are so named because they are cytochrome P450 enzymes. These enzymes are responsible a few key functions including breaking down foreign substances like drugs, poisons (actually every controlled drug is officially classified as a poison), breaking down estrogens and converting DHA and EPA to substances your body can use.
DIM Supports Detox Pathways
Every day you are exposed to chemicals from the environment. The liver has robust pathways that help alter these chemicals so they can be eliminated from the body. If your body has certain genetic mutations in the CYP group, you will not have optimum function of these enzymes, so you won't be able to breakdown these drugs or other chemicals fast enough to stay ahead of the onslaught. As certain chemicals build up, your physiology will begin to shift, and you will be more subject to certain disease processes. DIM can help support these pathways to improve your chemical breakdown abilities in these cases.
You may have heard of estrogen dominance. One cause is environmental estrogen-like compounds. Some examples are BPA containing plastics, cosmetics, some drugs, detergents, pesticides and others. The list is really long. Some natural products also work in an estrogen like manner such as caffeine, black cohosh, isoflavanoids and soy.
Estrogen Dominance Is Too Common
Not everyone needs external estrogens to be estrogen dominant. Both men and women are subject to shifts in physiology that can lead to too much estrogen. Again, cytochrome P450 enzymes are key to our body's ability to maintain estrogen at a healthy level. If you are deficient in these CYP genes, you might find big help in DIM supplementation.
You probably already take fish oil to get your daily dose of EPA and DHA. Countless studies indicate that EPA is cardio protective, and DNA is instrumental in brain development and health. The mechanism for this protective action has been a little fuzzy. Some recent evidence suggests that CYP enzymes help convert DHA and EPA to biochemicals that are responsible for this beneficial action. Again, if you have fewer optimum forms of these enzymes, you won't be getting all that benefit. The missing factor could be DIM that will help make this conversion more efficient.
Ideally you will get some genetic testing and find out if DIM will be good for you or not. Less ideally, you can try it and see what happens over time. It is sometimes difficult to separate out the benefit if you are taking several supplements, so we do like the testing if at all possible.
So far, no negative effects have been notable in doses of 200 mg per day so starting with 100 or 200 mg is a good idea.
In summary, DIM is helpful for the function of CYP enzymes (cytochrome P450 family) especially to help detox pathways, estrogen conversion and activation of EPA and DHA.
Another time we will talk about the ESR enzymes and how DIM can help as well as talking a little more about estrogen, CYP and DIM.
To supplement DIM, look at the links below!
Gene identifiers have different types of code. That is why you see the following genes in two different designations.
For further research you can use the following identifiers for detox genes:
CYP1A1 rs2600345
CYP1A2 rs72547513
CYP1A2 rs762551
The following identifiers will help give you information about HPA axis and/or endocrine-related genes:
ESR1 rs3798577
ESR1 rs2234693
ESR2 rs1256030
ESR2 rs1256031
ESR2 rs1256065
