Indolplex

Supports healthy breast, uterine,cervical, and prostate tissue*

Provides diindolylmethane (DIM) to support healthy estrogen metabolism.*

Indolplex® is a dietary supplement contains a patented, bioavailable form of diindolylmethane (DIM®), a dietary indole found in cruciferous vegetables. Research shows DIM promotes healthy estrogen metabolism by increasing the production of 2-hydroxyestrone estrogen metabolites over the undesirable 16-hydroxyestrone estrogen metabolites.* These critical metabolites have been shown to promote healthy cell development.*

• Features a patented form of DIM that is 10 times more potent than its precursor, indol-3 carbinol (I3C)
• Enhanced absorption and bioavailability

Description

Indolplex® contains the key ingredient diindolylmethane (DIM®). DIM is naturally present in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli. One serving of Indolplex contains an amount of DIM found in approximately two pounds of broccoli. The main role of DIM in the body is to support healthy balance and metabolism of estrogens, which is important for both women and men.† Indolplex utilizes a patented technology that enhances the absorption and bioavailability of DIM.

Background

The healthy effects of eating cruciferous vegetables have been known for many years. Many constituents of crucifers have been found to possess beneficial properties. These include indole-3-carbinol, phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), sulphoraphane, and diindolylmethane (DIM).1 The connection between plant-derived dietary ingredients and estrogen balance is a subject that has been evolving and has experienced particular growth in the last decade.2–4

Diindolylmethane

Diindolylmethane (DIM), a dietary indole, is a naturally occurring component of Brassica (cruciferous) vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. DIM is formed from Indole-3 carbinol (I3C) after enzymes in the vegetable, such as myrosinase, are released by crushing or chewing. DIM can also be formed directly from I3C, without enzymes, in an acidic environment such as in the stomach, when I3C is taken as a food supplement.5,6

Estrogen Balance

Long term exposure to estrogens, in the form of hormone replacement therapy or xenoestrogens (estrogen mimics), can have an impact on health.7,8, The ratio of estrogen metabolites (e.g., 2-hydroxyestrone over 16-hydroxyestrone) is an established indicator of hormonal balance in women and men, influencing the health of the breast, endometrium, uterus, cervix, prostate and other tissues.9–18 Effective estrogen clearance is a growing concern among health care providers, and its implications for gynecologic health and healthy cell development are significant:

• The normal aging process is characterized by increased activity of aromatase enzymes that convert DHEA and testosterone metabolites into estrogen.10Modulation of this phenomenon can reduce age-related exposure to excessive estrogen and promote a more favorable balance of estrogen metabolites.
• Exposure to exogenous estrogens and estrogen-mimics (xenoestrogens) can cause hormonal overstimulation, leading to imbalances in estrogen metabolites. This may affect the female and male reproductive systems.5
• Imbalances of estrogen metabolites can lead to a reduction in the efficiency of protective apoptosis (programmed cell death) in various tissues.5

In the body, I3C is converted into DIM, its bioactive form. Although cruciferous vegetables are rich sources of DIM, it is difficult to consume sufficient quantities of uncooked cruciferous vegetables to consistently affect estrogen metabolism or support detoxification enzymes.5

In one study, consumption of 500 grams per day of broccoli produced only a minor shift in estrogen metabolism.19 Consumption of larger quantities would be necessary to obtain a desirable level of glucosinolates, and this is problematic because of gastrointestinal side effects.20

Both I3C and DIM have been shown to increase the production of 2-hydroxyestrogen.†5 DIM is the most potent inducer of 2-hydroxylase, the enzyme responsible for this beneficial shift in estrogen metabolites.†21 DIM induces 2-hydroxyestrone (2OH1) and 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OH2) in diverse tissues, leading to net inhibition of excessive estrogen stimulation.† Once present in the circulation, 2-0H1 and 2-0H2 are metabolized by catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), resulting in 2-methoxyestrone and 2-methoxyestradiol. These critical metabolites have been shown to promote healthy cell development in animals and humans.†6,22-34