Health Alert 107
The word cancer evokes fear in both men and women, young and old. But you don’t have to sit back and wait for cancer to strike. In this letter I’ll show you the startling new evidence that suggests that a supplement called DIM could inhibit prostate cancer cell growth by 70%.
* The Secret behind Veggies *
DIM (diindolylmethane) is a compound naturally present in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and cauliflower. DIM may just be the key in cancer prevention.
When you eat a vegetable, like broccoli, your body breaks down the broccoli’s nutrients. One compound in vegetables is particularly important. It is glucobrassicin. Glucobrassicin metabolizes into a valuable compound called indole-3-carbinol (I3C).
I3C plays an active role in flushing your body of cancer-causing chemicals. But we need to take metabolism one step further to reach the ultimate power of DIM. I3C is naturally broken down in your digestive tract. The end result is DIM.
Cruciferous Vegetables
to
Glucobrassicin
to
I3C
to
DIM
It’s DIM that is the most effective at clearing away the substances in your body that promote cancer growth. DIM works to defeat the mechanism that makes cancer cells grow: rogue steroids in the body.
These steroids cause cancers to grow in both men and women. Breast, cervical, and prostate cancers all fit this scenario. The steroids trigger the growth of cancer cells. DIM works by clearing these rogue steroids out of your body. If they aren’t present, they can’t make cancer grow.
We have actually known that cancer cells grow slower in the presence of DIM for several years. Several animal and human studies have concentrated on breast, uterine, and cervical cancer. All have had positive results. Cancer cell growth slows down when introduced to DIM.1
Yet, the most impressive result came this June. The Journal of Biological Chemistry published an amazing study about DIM. University of California, Berkeley researchers discovered that when DIM was administered to prostate cancer cells, they stopped growing. The cells reduced growth by 70%. 2
The implications of this study are astounding. This is supporting evidence that DIM may be the most effective natural therapy available.
* Improving Life with DIM *
The most natural way to get DIM is through eating cruciferous vegetables. This variety comes “prepackaged” complete with I3C (also important in cancer fighting), vitamins, and other nutrients. Your mom knew what she was doing when she made you eat that broccoli!
Make vegetables a part of every meal. And make sure that you eat cruciferous vegetables at least daily. This is easy to do if you plan your meals ahead of time.
You can also take DIM as a supplement. A couple DIM supplement tablets can provide the benefit equivalent to a pound of vegetables. DIM supplements are available at health food stores and on the Internet.
I use DIM at 200-400 mg daily for men.
Al Sears, M.D.
1 Auborn K., et al. Indole-3-carbinole is a negative regulator of estrogen. J Nutr 2003 Jul; 133(7 Suppl): 2470S-2475S
2 Le H., et al. Plant-derived 3,3-Diindolylmethane is a strong androgen antagonist in human prostate cancer cells. J Biol Chem 2003 Jun 6; 278(23): 21136-21145