However, testosterone exerts its actions differently depending on whether it is free or bound to carrier proteins in the blood. Testosterone also supports libido, interest in sex, and mood. Active protein synthesis produces bigger muscles and stronger bones, especially in response to exercise, as well as increases metabolic rate and fat utilization. This hormone is classified as an anabolic hormone due to its ability to promote protein synthesis. 1 2ĭIM also impacts testosterone, which is an important contributor to healthy hormone balance in both men and women. 2 An active metabolism of estrogen in the “good” direction automatically pulls unmetabolized estrogen away from the “bad” pathway, actually lowering the production and levels of these harmful estrogens. Simply put, DIM stimulates the pathway that leads to “good” estrogen production and healthy hormone balance. Since DIM requires a metabolic pathway similar to that of good estrogen, supplementing the diet with DIM or eating cruciferous vegetables multiplies the chance for estrogen to be broken down into its beneficial form. As noted above, estrogen can follow one of two metabolic pathways, creating either good or bad estrogen. The connection between DIM and estrogen is due to their molecular similarities.6 In order for estrogen to be utilized in the body it must be metabolized.
2 For example, it is known that women with breast and uterine cancer make too little of the “good” estrogen and too much of the “bad” variety. 1 3 The “bad” estrogen act as an unregulated form of “super estrogen,” and often result in estrogen dominance and its related health problems. The “bad” estrogen is responsible for many of estrogen’s undesirable actions, including weight gain and cancer in estrogenresponsive tissue. The “good” estrogen are involved in beneficial functions throughout the body, such as protecting the heart and brain. In the body, estrogen is metabolized into either 2- hydroxy, the “good” estrogen, or 16-hydroxy, the “bad” estrogen. 4 Therefore, healthy estrogen metabolism is of great importance.
For example, estrogen impacts the brain, heart, and liver. There are presently 300 known functions for estrogen in the body and we are only beginning to understand all its interactions. 1 As the body ages, hormone production and balance changes, which contributes to multiple symptoms (such as weight gain, muscle loss, brittle bones, etc) as well as that “getting older” feeling. Both hormones play a significant role in both sexes and serve a number of functions aside from their reproductive roles, which makes their balance critical to health. Although estrogen is identified with women and testosterone with men, both sexes have both hormones present in their bodies. Estrogen and testosterone are called sex hormones because they facilitate the functions of the reproductive system. Hormones are chemical messengers that communicate with your body and tell it to perform various functions. Luckily, you can get this powerhouse nutrient in a dietary supplement form. 1 2 Unfortunately, to get the maximum benefit from DIM you would have to eat close to 2 pounds of cruciferous vegetables a day. Besides helping balance hormones and reducing your risk of various types of cancer, DIM also provides antioxidant activity to prevent damage from free radicals in the body, supports weight loss, enhances energy, boosts mood, improves memory, supports strong bones and healthy joints, reduces PMS symptoms, helps balance estrogen dominance, improves cardiovascular health, increases healthy muscle development, and improves prostate health in men. The key compound I am talking about is called diindolylmethane (DIM for short) and is found in cruciferous vegetables. Vegetables you ask? YES – vegetables, but not just any kind of vegetable. Research is surfacing about the power of a natural substance in vegetables that may help lower your sex hormone related cancer risk. Most of us have been touched in some way by cancer and it is safe to say we all have a desire to avoid developing this devastating disease. Cancer is on the rise, particularly sex hormone related varieties, such as breast and prostate.
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