DIM provides benefits in two ways:
 
1) the indole group binds to chemical carcinogens and activate enzymes which, in turn detoxify these harmful chemicals.

2) Acts as a catalyst to direct estradiol down a benign pathway to 2-hydroxyestrone thus decreasing levels of the carcinogenic 16-alpha hydroxyestrone, “bad estrogen” and also reducing the conversion of estrogens to Estrone.

There are 3 estrone metabolites

• 2-hydroxy-estrone which is shown to be beneficial
• 4-hydroxy-estrone which is shown to be carcinogenic
• 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone is implicated in cancer promotion
   

 WHAT DOES DIM DO?

DIM shows great potential in preventing cancer, especially hormone-related cancers such as those of the breast and prostate. Researchers have been able to show that these plant indoles have powerful and diverse ways of stopping cancer. In 1991 researchers at the Institute for Hormone Research in New York City proved that plant indoles such as DIM significantly reduced the incidence and number of tumours in female mice prone to developing breast cancer. In human studies, levels of a carcinogenic estrogen declined and levels of a benign estrogen increased. Most important, there was a marked decrease in the level of the estrogen metabolite associated with breast and endometrial cancer (16-alphahydroxyestrone).

A summary of recent studies shows that plant indoles such as DIM

• Increase the conversion of estradiol to “weaker” (2-hydroxyestrone) estrogen, which has been shown to reduce the incidence of breast cancer.
• Works in estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells. 
• Stops human cancer cells from growing (54-61%) and provokes the cells to self-destruct (apoptosis).
• Provides antioxidant protection
• Inhibits MCF7 human breast cancer cells better than tamoxifen under laboratory conditions.
• Protects against the environmental toxin, dioxin