DIM or Sulforaphane for Estrogen?

The answer is - it depends! First, this might sound greek if you’re not familiar with supplements or foods that support estrogen detoxification! I have another article on DIM here to catch you up. It comes from mature broccoli and supports phase 1 estrogen detoxification. Sulforaphane predominantly comes from young broccoli sprouts and supports phase 2 estrogen detoxification! My personal favorite is to start with eating broccoli sprouts or using a broccoli sprout/sulforaphane product. This essentially works to open all the drains in your house so the water can drain out to the sewer line.

In fact, sulforaphane seems to activate over 500 genes in your body - many of which are centered around detoxification. It also supports the formation of glutathione and is anti-inflammatory.

When would you need them?

DIM (diindolymethane) helps take estradiol or estrone in your body and direct it down the “better” pathway in phase 1 detoxification. As a result, it seems to also lower your estradiol or estrone in circulation. This may or may not be your goal. If your estrogens are high based on lab testing, then this could be a helpful option to get them lower. However, If your estrogens are already low, it might not be in your best interest to use DIM.

Another concern for DIM is that it moves or redirects your phase 1 detoxification, similar to water in a bathtub, but it does not open the drain. If the drain is closed or clogged, your water may fill up the tub and spill all over your bathroom floor. This means you need support opening your drain!

That’s where broccoli sprouts or sulforaphane shine - they help open your drains and move the process along.

If your practitioner suggests a product with DIM in it, know that it could be lowering your estradiol and estrone in circulation and influencing phase 1 detoxification. The big questions are: do you want this? Are your phase 2 drains open?

If your practitioner suggests a product with sulforaphane (or you add in a few tablespoons of broccoli sprouts to your food), know that it focuses on phase 2 detoxification by activating some 500 genes largely focused on opening phase 2 detoxification drains.

You can use both at the same time if you need it!

Lastly, I haven’t yet mentioned phase 3! This is how you ELIMINATE out of the body. When it comes to estrogens, it relies on your kidney health and intestinal/bile health. Think of these like the sewer line attached to your drain pipes. If you struggle with either, you may struggle with overall detoxification elimination.