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Diindolin contains DIM associated with a special matrix that improves absorption. The daily usage of a 300 milligram dosage of Diindolin approximately equals the DIM obtainable from 2-4 pounds of raw broccoli. This supplement is clearly useful not only for people that just don't like cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, but also don't want to eat several pounds of it each day to ingest beneficial levels of DIM.
By increasing the levels of beneficial 2-hydroxy estrogens, the testosterone/estrogen ratio is increased in favor of testosterone. More importantly from an anabolic point of view, the level of free testosterone rises in the blood with use of DIM. The mechanism behind this is that 2-hydroxy estrogens have a greater binding affinity for the blood proteins that "lock up" testosterone in the blood. Thus, these plasma binding proteins instead latch on to 2-hydroxy, leaving greater levels of free testosterone, including that produced through the use of supplemental prohormones. The 2-hydroxy estrogens promoted by DIM usage also increase testosterone synthesis through another mechanism. Estrogen, even more than testosterone itself, incurs a negative hormonal feedback loop to the pituitary gland, where the rate-limiting gonadotropin for testosterone synthesis, luteinizing hormone (LH) is synthesized and released. What this means is that high blood levels of estrogen, as may occur through aromatization of free testosterone, turn off the release of LH from the pituitary gland. This leads to a vicious biochemical cycle characterized by an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen in favor of the latter. These events, however, are nullified by 2-hydroxy, which doesn't provide the negative feedback message to the pituitary induced by estrogen. The net effect is greater testosterone synthesis in the Leydig cells of the testes, as well as lower levels of bad estrogen and all the effects that go with it. DIM differs from other natural substances currently touted to decrease estrogen levels, such as the soy isoflavones, genistein and diadzen. DIM, while promoting the synthesis of beneficial estrogens, such as 2-dehydroxy, isn't itself a phytoestrogen or an estrogen mimic as are the soy isoflavones. Thus, there is no danger of a paradoxical estrogen-agonist or pro-estrogen effect with DIM as can possibly occur in some cases with soy isoflavones. Diindolin also helps to burn fat through extending the activity of catecholamines, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones help the body oxidize fat through interacting with beta-adrenergic fat cell receptors. This leads to an enzymatic cascade resulting in the release of free fatty acids into the blood. However, catecholamines are rapidly degraded by an enzyme called catechol-O-methyl transference (COMT). This same enzyme also metabolizes 2-hydroxy estrogens. An increase in 2-hydroxy estrogens, such as that induced by Diindolin, will promote a competitive inhibition effect with the catecholamine and COMT, leading to less rapid breakdown of catecholamines and thus enhanced fat mobilization. The implications of this process are that Diindolin will serve to potentiate the increased catecholamine secretion that normally occurs during exercise. It will also provide synergistic fat oxidizing effects when combined with a ephedrine-caffeine stack, since this stack works by also increasing the release of catecholamines.
Keeping DHEA honest DHEA, an adrenal androgen, was the first of the prohormone supplements to be marketed. The problem with DHEA, however, is that it isn't as direct a precursor for conversion into testosterone as is the supplements released later, such as androstenedione. DHEA, while capable of being converted into testosterone, can also take divergent pathways, such as conversion into estrogen or DHT. This is particularly true in men under age 40. Since DHEA also offers various health benefits, such as a heightened immune response and increased insulin sensitivity, the problem of possible conversion into estrogen by way of aromatase enzyme is a daunting one.
Diindolin can once again offer benefits by promoting the conversion of any estrogen produced as a result of DHEA usage into the beneficial 2-dehydroxy form, which if anything, would provide synergistic health benefits with DHEA usage. As noted earlier, Diindolin, through increasing 2-hydroxy synthesis, blunts the effects of estrogen in promoting prostate enlargement. It is synergistic with other phytochemicals that prevent prostate enlargement, such as saw palmetto (which blocks conversion of testosterone into DHT), green tea, pygeum africanum, and stinging nettle.
Diindolin may also increase insulin response. By potentiating catecholamines, Diindolin can increase carbohydrate clearance and "reset" the insulin system to a lower starting point. This effect, in turn, increases the response of insulin to high glycemic carbohydrates or simple sugars. Since such simple sugars are needed to promote uptake and absorption of creatine into muscle through a insulin-stimulated muscle creatine uptake carrier, the increased insulin response promoted by Diindolin serves to increase creatine supplemental efficacy. Diindolin also may increase workout recovery. Studies show that estrogen appears to limit muscle damage induced by intense training. The damage may be incurred by increased free radical release from the upgraded oxygen intake typical during exercise. These free radicals damage cell membranes, leading to an inflammation discernable as muscle soreness.
One of the good things about estrogen is that it is a potent free radical quencher. Evidence shows that you can obtain this same protective effect of estrogen minus the negative aspects with 2-hydroxy estrogen metabolites promoted by Diindolin. Studies show that dietary antioxidants, such as vitamin E, increase exercise recovery by minimizing the inflammatory effects of free radical release during exercise. The 2-hydroxy estrogens are even more potent in their free radical-quenching effect than vitamin E. Thus, by relieving muscle inflammation after exercise, Diindolin may speed exercise recovery. Add it all up and you can only draw one conclusion: the future of DIM or more precisely, Diindolin, looks bright!
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(0)Farnsworth WE. Roles of estrogen and SHBG in prostate physiology.
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