Are you looking for a natural way to balance your hormones and improve your overall health?
If so, you may have heard about the benefits of taking DIM and milk thistle together.
DIM, or diindolylmethane, is a phytonutrient found in vegetables like broccoli and kale that helps reduce excess estrogen and testosterone in the body.
Milk thistle, on the other hand, is a natural herb that supports liver detoxification and removal of hormones from the body.
But can these two supplements be taken together safely?
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and potential risks of combining DIM and milk thistle, so you can make an informed decision about your health.
Can I Take Dim And Milk Thistle Together?
The short answer is yes, you can take DIM and milk thistle together. In fact, combining these two supplements can provide a powerful approach to balancing hormones and supporting liver health.
DIM works by blocking androgen receptors, which are responsible for male hormones like testosterone. By inhibiting the aromatase enzyme, DIM stops the conversion of testosterone into estrogen, which can lead to estrogen excess and hormonal imbalances.
Milk thistle, on the other hand, supports liver detoxification and removal of hormones from the body. The liver is a main mode of estrogen breakdown, so it’s important to support its function to ensure that estrogens are safely removed from your body.
Milk thistle provides the active flavonoid silymarin, which is thought to help support liver detoxification. Artichoke is another species of thistle that supports digestion and intestinal health, as well as normal blood lipid levels and liver function. Choline also helps support the normal metabolism or breakdown of fats, preventing the build-up of fats in the liver.
Combining DIM and milk thistle can provide a two-step approach to balancing hormones and supporting liver health. First, DIM reduces excess estrogen and testosterone in the body. Then, milk thistle supports liver detoxification and removal of hormones from the body.
What Is DIM And How Does It Work?
DIM, short for diindolylmethane, is a compound found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage. When you eat these vegetables, your stomach acid breaks down indole-3-carbinol into DIM. DIM has been found to be beneficial in creating a healthy balance of estrogen and testosterone in the body. This is because DIM converts the more potent form of estrogen (estradiol) into the weaker form (estriol), which helps prevent estrogen dominance.
Estrogen dominance can lead to PMS symptoms, PCOS, and certain kinds of cancer. DIM helps to eliminate active estrogen by promoting its conversion to good estrogen metabolites. These metabolites have a great attraction to the SHBGs that bind up testosterone, helping bump testosterone off those proteins, freeing it.
DIM works at the Phase 1 detox level to help your liver make the most favorable metabolite, 2OHE1 and reduce the excess production of potentially harmful 4OHE1 and 16OHE1. This improves estrogen metabolism and helps resolve all three forms of estrogen dominance. By blocking androgen receptors and inhibiting the aromatase enzyme, DIM stops the conversion of testosterone into estrogen, which can lead to hormonal imbalances.
What Is Milk Thistle And How Does It Work?
Milk thistle, also known as Silybum marianum, is a flowering herb native to Europe that has been introduced to North America and other parts of the world. The plant can grow up to 2 meters high and has large, bright purple flowers. The seeds and above-ground parts of the plant are used to make medicine. Milk thistle is commonly used for liver disorders, including liver damage caused by chemicals, alcohol, and chemotherapy, as well as liver damage caused by Amanita phalloides (death cap) mushroom poisoning, jaundice, chronic inflammatory liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic hepatitis. Milk thistle is also taken for loss of appetite, heartburn (dyspepsia), gallbladder complaints, enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), and infertility.
Milk thistle works by providing the active flavonoid silymarin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that protect the liver from toxins, repair damaged tissue, and reduce inflammation. Silymarin stimulates the production of bile, which helps break down fats and eliminate toxins from the body. Additionally, milk thistle supports liver detoxification and removal of hormones from the body. The liver is a main mode of estrogen breakdown, so it’s important to support its function to ensure that estrogens are safely removed from your body.
Although scientific studies show mixed results on the effectiveness of milk thistle for liver disorders, most studies show that it improves liver function and increases survival in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. However, problems in the design of studies make it hard to draw any firm conclusions. Milk thistle is also promoted as a dietary supplement for other conditions such as diabetes, indigestion, and increasing breast milk flow in lactating mothers. While some studies suggest that milk thistle may have immunomodulatory effects and support a person’s immune system, more research is needed to confirm these results.
The Benefits Of Taking DIM And Milk Thistle Together
There are several benefits to taking DIM and milk thistle together. First and foremost, this combination can help balance hormones and reduce estrogen excess. By blocking androgen receptors and inhibiting the aromatase enzyme, DIM can reduce the conversion of testosterone into estrogen, which is often the root cause of many hormonal issues.
Milk thistle, on the other hand, supports liver detoxification and removal of hormones from the body. This can help prevent the build-up of excess estrogen in the body, which can contribute to estrogen dominance-related breast cancer.
In addition to their hormonal benefits, DIM and milk thistle also offer antioxidant support for cellular protection. DIM Detox, a supplement that provides compounds naturally found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale, also contains silymarin, alpha lipoic acid, and n-acetyl-l-cysteine. These ingredients act to support phase II detoxification enzyme activity in the liver and offer antioxidant support for cellular protection.
Finally, taking DIM and milk thistle together can be especially beneficial for people with genetic variations in the COMT gene. These individuals may have reduced ability to detoxify estrogen as well as neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. DIM Detox is often recommended as part of a protocol for COMT SNPs, and the PureGenomics program from Pure Encapsulations can help analyze an individual’s genetic profile related to detoxification pathways.
Potential Risks And Side Effects Of Combining DIM And Milk Thistle
While combining DIM and milk thistle can provide many benefits, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and side effects.
One potential risk is that milk thistle has been shown to have estrogenic-mimicking effects, similar to common soy isoflavones. This makes milk thistle a theoretically poor choice for people with breast cancer, as it could potentially worsen the condition. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking milk thistle if you have a history of breast cancer or any other estrogen-sensitive condition.
Additionally, milk thistle may lower blood sugar levels, so it’s important to monitor blood sugar closely if you’re taking diabetes medications.
It’s also important to note that while DIM is generally considered safe, some people may experience side effects such as headaches, nausea, or gastrointestinal issues. It’s important to start with a low dosage and gradually increase as tolerated.
How To Take DIM And Milk Thistle Together Safely
When taking DIM and milk thistle together, it’s important to follow some precautions to ensure safety and effectiveness.
First, it’s recommended to start with a low dose of DIM, around 100-250mg per day, taken with meals. This allows you to test the dosage that works best for you. It’s also important to supplement with milk thistle or other liver support supplements while taking DIM, as the cleansing process can put a strain on your liver.
Additionally, if you have been diagnosed with diabetes or hypoglycemia, or are taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking DIM. Some research has shown that DIM could affect blood sugar levels.
It’s also important to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle while taking these supplements. Eating plenty of fiber can support regular and healthy bowel movements, which is important for removing toxins from the body. If you suffer from constipation, it’s recommended to address this issue before starting on DIM and milk thistle.
Who Should Not Take DIM And Milk Thistle Together?
While DIM and milk thistle can be taken together by most people, there are some who should avoid this combination. Pregnant or lactating women should not take DIM and milk thistle, as there is not enough research to determine their safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Additionally, individuals with allergies to members of the aster (Compositea/Asteraceae) family, daisies, artichoke, kiwi or thistle should avoid milk thistle.
It’s also important to note that milk thistle, calcium-d-glucarate, and broccoli sprout extract can affect the way and speed that the liver breaks down medications. This can alter the effects of these medications and possibly the dose needed for treatment. Therefore, individuals taking any medication, including the contraceptive pill, should consult with their physician before taking DIM and milk thistle together.
Moreover, taking DIM and calcium D-glucarate for a prolonged amount of time can lower “clean” and “dirty” estrogens. Low estrogen levels can impact missed or irregular periods. Although there are many things that impact estrogen and menstruation, it’s important to take these supplements for a length that fits your body’s needs.
