Hormone Health: Sulforaphane & DIM

By Jes Williams

Suboptimal hormonal health is a reality for both men and women, alike. However, in this post, we’ll focus mostly hormonal health as it relates to women. Some similarities do exists, however, as estrogen is a pivotal enzyme for survival and health in both genders, though their quantum, tropism, tissue-specific distribution, and receptor affinity varies with different phases of life. (6,10) Discussion around using the compounds sulforaphane and DIM for optimal hormonal health will both be examined.

Prevalence of Suboptimal Hormonal Health

As a result of modernity, an approximated 80% of women experience hormonal imbalances. Additionally, about 30% of women experience a menstrual flow that deviates from what is considered normal. (1,2)

“Up to 30% of women will experience alterations in the volume or pattern of menstrual blood flow, which is defined as the symptom of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), which in turn can be caused by multiple etiologies and sometimes more than 1 etiology at the same time. In addition, many women will have other symptoms such as pain, dysmenorrhea, anxiety, depression, and fatigue associated with their menstrual cycle that require attention for them to achieve early diagnosis of reproductive health issues such as endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder and attain optimal health.” (2)

Additionally, about 43% of American women in a 2019 survey stated that their hormonal imbalance impacted their well-being. Areas of their life that were said to be affected are energy levels, libido, sex life, overall self-esteem & self-confidence, feeling alienated, and more. (3)

Furthermore, a survey out of the UK survey found that only 77% (64% regarding menopause) felt comfortable talking to their practitioner about menstrual issues. And, over 84% of those surveyed shared that they were not listened to by their healthcare practitioner. Making matters worse, their symptoms were not taken seriously (or were dismissed), they had to incessantly advocate for themselves to secure a diagnosis (sometimes over months and years), and if they did receive a diagnosis, there were limited opportunities to discuss comprehensively, including holistic options. (4)

Understanding Hormone Replacement Therapy

The mainstream knee-jerk treatment for correcting any hormone imbalances is often hormone replacement therapy. Commonly, a synthetic form of a hormone like estrogen or progesterone is prescribed in order to assist the body in regaining normal levels.

In some instances, bioidentical hormones are used, which are thought to be more effective with posing fewer side effects than synthetic hormones. Also, it’s shown in the literature that certain types of HRT to an increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease in postmenopausal women. (7, 8)

While everyone ought to have sovereign say over what type of treatment they choose, there is a huge piece of the puzzle commonly overlooked to address hormone rebalancing: using plant compounds to rebalance hormones, upregulate specific hormones, and/or inhibit excess accumulation of hormones. Those of which are shown to be safe and effective.

What is Sulforaphane?

Sulforaphane is the beneficial compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and brussel sprouts. Cruciferous vegetables contain a category of phytochemicals that are capable of shifting estrogen metabolism. (11) Sulforaphane offers your body’s physiology a multitude of benefits including improved detoxification, enhanced brain function and cognition, and improved detoxification processes.

In addition to these core benefits it provides, sulforaphane has been shown to reverse estrogen-induced metabolic changes. This is due, in part, to changes in glycolysis and energy metabolism, and also amino acid, purine, and folic acid metabolism. (5)

In addition, sulforaphane assists with phase II detoxification, which is comprised of conjugation: where the liver further transforms substances into a less-toxic, hydrophilic product. Phase II detoxification promotes the healthy removal of excess estrogen. This part of the detoxification process also supports healthy levels of more protective forms of estrogen, linked to increased antioxidant activity. (9, 10)

Though most of the literature around sulforaphane focuses on its exhancements to phase II detox (including increased glutathione production)(20), some also suggests positive effects on phase I, too.

This is key for hormonal health because many cycle-related symptoms like heavy periods, mood swings, tender breasts, and weight gain are linked to a state commonly referred to as “estrogen dominance.”

Cruciferous vegetable consumption (naturally containing lower levels of sulforphane, found in BrocElite Plus) has additionally been shown to be a potentially effective and acceptable dietary strategy to balance estrogen, elicit positive metabolic changes, and also protect against tumor formation (11, 5, 12). Also, cruciferous vegetable intake has been shown to improve unpleasant menopausal symptoms, and improve fasting blood sugar & a1c levels, and bone loss. (13, 14, 15)

Meeting DIM

DIM, short for diindolylmethane, is another plant compound that’s also found in cruciferous vegetables. We mentioned earlier that sulforaphane helps to support phase II detoxification; in the case of DIM, you are supporting phase I detoxification. Phase I detoxification is a different detox/enzymatic pathway, where the liver begins to biotransform toxic substances. (16)

Comparing Sulforaphane & DIM

When comparing DIM to sulforaphane, consider the difference in the pathways they target as well as the nuanced effects they offer. Also, know that both, in varying doses, can induce apoptosis (healthy, programmed cell death), which is a necessary part of keeping the body repairing & healing.

Maybe you’re trying to figure out which compound has the “leg up” here. Consider these study findings:

-Sulforaphane has been shown to be more effective in aiding detox in an even lower dose than DIM. (17)

-Sulforaphane exhibits anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. (18)

-Sulforaphane has been shown to minimize harmful BPA accumulation in tissues. (22)

-Sulforaphane has been shown to reverse estrogen-induced metabolic changes, restore estrogen receptor gene expression, modulate epigenetic changes and events, and interfere with tumor growth rate. (23,24)

-Sulforaphane has been shown to modulate detox phase I and II xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, as well as directly block specific binding sites of carcinogens with the DNA molecule (18), while DIM is highlighted in a study as possessing enzymes involved in estrogen metabolism. (19)

-Both compounds have exhibited ability to halt unhealthy cell profileration, independently. (19)

-Both compounds have the ability to modulate DNA methylation and regulate gene expression. (21)

Conclusion

For maximum benefits, one may explore using a combination of sulforaphane & DIM to support both phase I & II detox, as well as take advantage of the study-backed synergistic relationship of utilizing both compounds at higher concentrations. Interestingly, sulforaphane and DIM appeared to be antagonistic as lower concentrations (below 20 microM).(19)

Know that even a small increase in Brassica vegetable consumption across the population could have a positive impact. As mentioned earlier, sulforaphane and DIM are both naturally occurring in this type of vegetable in small concentrations, relative to sulforaphane and/or DIM-containing supplements.

Studies: