DIM Plus----Carla and Edith, Part I

[Guest guest]

Dear Carla and Edith,

I've read through the other postings in re to DIM-Plus. As I have

been taking it for nearly six weeks now, I think it is fair to add my

personal experience for whatever it is worth.

I was skeptical of DIM supplements when I began reading about methods

of treating fibroids over the summer. Briefly, I experienced my first

two bouts of flooding in May, 2003. The first time, went to the ER

after a week of flooding and an afternoon of vomiting and intense

cramping that was attributed to a possible rupture of an ovarian

cyst. To say it reminded me of how mother's describe childbirth is

not an understatement by any means. I also had a UTI and was severely

anemic. I was placed on 10 mg of progestin, 2x a day for 10 days, to

stop the bleeding, was told to start oral iron therapy and was told I

might need a hysterectomy in a manner that was so strong, I felt I

was being propagandized. So...though the flooding continued for three

more weeks and was worse after stopping the progestin, I dared not

return to the ER. Instead, I was already seeking alternative

treatments that I could do to see if that would stop the bleeding.

The not having any health insurance syndrome is a real bitch, btw.

So why skeptical of DIM? Lack of research and contradictions to it,

for one. Reading about it on the Life Extension website, there are

concerns expressed over there that isolating DIM from its precursor,

I3C, may not be a good thing. I3C is being touted as a possible

preventative for breast cancer and estrogen dominant conditions. DIM

is touted by the supplement market as a powerful estrogen metabolizer

that might prevent breast cancer. The article on Life Extension's

website is concerned that we actually need ALL of the chemical

constituents that I3C breaks down to and not just DIM and that DIM

might actually promote breast cancer. A similar though is also behind

the thinking of those who encourage consuming a variety of whole

foods rather than relying on supplements....because foods contain

into the thousands of chemicals most of which have not been isolated

by research. It is possible that they work synergestically to promote

good health. So what happens when we isolate one particular compound

to the exclusion of others in foods? Harmful or helpful? In regards

to indole compounds, we don't know.

The indole compounds are found in cruciferous veggies btw and it's

now a trend in the supplement market to promote pills made from

dehydrated veggies that are rich in indoles. To give an example, one

concerned friend of mine sent me a generous supply of Juice Plus over

the summer when she found out about my fibroids. She swears they help

her with her IBS symptoms and she genuinely wanted to help. Since

they likely contain bioflavanoids, I take them thinking I'm getting

something out of them. One problem with these kinds of supplements is

that there is no standardized amount of compounds like bioflavanoids

or vitamins. You don't know how much you are getting of any one

nutrient. And since I3C is heat sensitive, I doubt these supplements

can provide me with that compound to yield any DIM, if that interests

anyone.

I am going to post this link for the curious. These researchers who

study bone density found two people who had serious bone density loss

and Vit D deficiency, which also means poor calcium absorption, who

were also long term users of I3C/DIM. I don't have follow-up

information about this pilot study related to the use of I3C/DIM and

the effect it might have on bone health. It does bring up a

legitimate concern, however, about the impact of self dosing with

properties that are said to be anti-carcinogenic on other important

functions/systems in the body. http://207.158.255.80/Vitamin%20D%

20Question.htm

Gloria

>

> DIM has been on an uphill incline in the research world since 1995.

> There has been some efficacy shown in prostate cancer research --

but

> much more needs to be studied before I would recommend anyone just

> " try " this potential solution on their own. For instance, it does

> disturb me that fish treated with DIM in studies have acquired liver

> cancer. Success with prostate cancer only to possibly promote liver

> cancer? Granted, a supplement showing success with prostate cancer

> would definitely be of interest to those looking into treatments

for a

> wide variety of other hormonally-associated tumors. But, the

passage

> you've quoted above doesn't mention DIM's role as an anti-androgenic

> -- which is part and parcel to " metabolize estrogens

> effectively " ...check PubMed to learn much, much more....

>

> Admittedly, I don't understand all of the research underway -- but

> have read enough confusing details regarding findings that I just

> would be extremely cautious with this one. Besides, doesn't it make

> more sense to simply up your fruit/vegetable intake that fits this

> category?

>

> Self treating may have many pros and cons. Be certain you're not

> blinded by the pros in the form of prose found online that doesn't

> cover its bases with the cons also found in research.....

>

> As a matter of blatant curiosity...have any of the women who are

> trying DIM experienced any differences in their sexual experiences?

> Less desire, vaginal dryness, etc.? Anything at all of note?

>

> Carla Dionne