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DIM

DIM (diindolylmethane) is a compound formed when indole-3-carbinol, found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage, breaks down.

Also listed as Diindolylmethane

Women's HormonesHair & SkinLongevityOrgan Function

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

Menstruation SupportWomen's HormonesModerateB2 studies
Estrogen BalanceWomen's HormonesModerateB2 studies
Skin InflammationHair & SkinSmallC1 study
Oxidative stressLongevitySmallC2 studies
Anti-aging SkinHair & SkinSmallC1 study
Prostate HealthOrgan FunctionSmallC2 studies
All 7 rated effectsGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

What is DIM?

Diindolylmethane, or DIM, is a breakdown product of indole-3-carbinol, a compound associated with cruciferous vegetables. Laboratory studies suggest effects on cancer cells, but human clinical evidence remains limited. 1

What does changing estrogen metabolism mean?

A small preoperative study gave seven women with thyroid proliferative disease 300 mg daily for 14 days. Researchers detected DIM in thyroid tissue and observed changes in urinary estrogen breakdown products. This established biological activity, not prevention of thyroid disease. 2

Key studies

The most recent publications linked to DIM's ratings.

Unveiling the Multifaceted Pharmacological Actions of Indole-3-Carbinol and Diindolylmethane: A Comprehensive Review2025Anti-Cancer and Other Biological Effects of a Dietary Compound 3,3ʹ-Diindolylmethane Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Human Clinical Trials20203,3-Diindolylmethane (DIM): a nutritional intervention and its impact on breast density in healthy BRCA carriers. A prospective clinical trial2020Oxidative stress, aging, and diseases2018Effect of Diindolylmethane on Estrogen-related Hormones, Metabolites and Tamoxifen Metabolism: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial2017
All 11 studiesEvery publication linked to DIM

Why people take it

Women's Hormones13.7%
Men's Hormones13.6%
Detox13.2%
Immune Support9.8%
Energy9.3%
Essential Health9.2%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

Does DIM detoxify the body?

MSK finds no scientific evidence supporting that claim. 1

Can a changed estrogen ratio prove cancer prevention?

No. The human review found no established breast-cancer prevention or treatment benefit from those biomarker changes. 3

Can DIM clear HPV?

The larger placebo-controlled cervical trial did not support a benefit for HPV infection. 4

Can DIM be combined with tamoxifen?

The trial found lower tamoxifen metabolite levels. This interaction needs discussion with the treating team. 5

Did the thyroid pilot prove a treatment benefit?

No. It measured tissue exposure and estrogen metabolism over 14 days before surgery. 2

Sources

  1. Diindolylmethane Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Further reading

Illustration for DIM.GuideDIM supplementsDIM changes estrogen metabolism, but a benefit for symptoms has not been shown. An overview of the studies, supplement forms and key interactions.Read the article