DIM (Diindolylmethane) has been shown to help regulate and promote a more efficient metabolism of estrogen, and an optimal ratio of estrogen metabolites important for male as well as female health. DIM Vitex PMS Formula is a unique formulation containing pure DIM, which is an indole. Indoles are plant compounds with health promoting properties, found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. This formula is co-solubilized with phosphatidylcholine and microencapsulated in starch particles. It also includes herbs thought to be beneficial to female reproductive health.

Benefits of DIM Vitex PMS Formula:

• Helps Maintain Healthy Reproductive Tissue (i.e. the breast, uterus, and cervix)
• Promotes Healthier Reproductive Hormonal Metabolism and Balance
• Helps Promote the Conversion of Estrogen to it’s Beneficial, Protective 2 Hydroxyestrone Metabolites and Reduces Production of Genotoxic 16 alpha-Hydroxyestrone
• Helps Promote a Healthy Mood and Sense of Well-Being in Perimenopausal Years
• Stimulates Detoxification Enzyme Systems

Ingredients per Vegicap:

• Vitex agnus-castus Berry Extract…20 mg
• BioResponse DIM (A patented Diindolylmethane complex), starch, DIM (25% min)
• Vitamin E succinate, phosphatidycholine, silica …75 mg
• Decaffinated Green Tea Extract (standardized to 60% Catechins)…600 mg

Suggested Use: Take one capsule, twice daily with a meal.

Caution: Do not take this product if you are pregnant or lactating, or using birth control pills.

Are there any side effects in using this product?
Harmless changes in urine color may occur. Increased water consumption reverses this side effect.

Benefits of Phytochemicals
The phytochemicals in cruciferous vegetables have been shown to beneficially affect the body’s hormonal and detoxification systems. Epidemiological studies have supported the health benefits of consuming these vegetables.

Estrogen Metabolism
Research over the past thirty years has determined that disrupted estrogen metabolism is closely linked to several health risks in women as well as men, particularly those involving the breast, uterus, prostate, and other reproductive tissue. Genetics, excess weight, poor diet and other lifestyle factors may result in an imbalance of estrogen metabolites. Modulating different aspects of estrogen metabolism, particularly the production of 16 alpha-OHEI, may potentially contribute to healthy aging.

May Inhibit Cancer Cell Growth
Research using human breast cells(MCF-7) has shown that DIM not only supports the body in inhibiting cell growth, but also inducing apoptosis.

Maintaining Health
It is becoming increasingly apparent that dietary supplements like DIM may provide an important mechanism for maintaining health despite the increasing levels of xenoestrogenic compounds in our modern world.

Benefits of Vitex Agnus-Castus
The berries of the tree Vitex agnus-castus have been used for millennia to support the body’s moderation of hormone levels in women as well as men. A recent clinical study of 170 women with premenstrual syndrome demonstrated Vitex’s therapeutic effectiveness. There was a highly significant improvement in the women’s self assessment of PMS symptoms, including anger, bloating, breast fullness, headache, irritability, and mood alteration.

Green Tea
Consumption of green tea has been shown to be nutritionally supportive for individuals with a variety of health concerns. This effect is thought to be due to the tea’s polyphenol content, primarily epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG). In fact, in animal studies EGCG significantly reduced levels of reproductive hormones, as well as the growth of associated tissue.

References:

1. Bell MC, Crowley-Nowick P, Bradlow HL, et al. Placebo-controlled trial of indole-3-carbinol in the treatment of CIN. Gynecol Oncol 2000; 78: 123-9.
2. Berger D, Schaffner W, Schrader E, et al. Efficacy of Vitex agnus castus L. extract Ze 440 in patients with pre-menstrual syndrom. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2000; 264: 150-3.
3. Bonnesen C, Eggleston IM, Hayes JD. Dietary indoles and isothiocyanates that are generated from cruciferous vegetables can both stimulate apoptosis and confer protection against DNA damage in human colon cell lines. Cancer Res 2001; 61: 6120-30.
4. Chang YC, Riby J, Chang GH, et al. Cytostatic and antiestrogenic effects of 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-3, 3’- diindolylmethane, a major in vivo product of dietary indole-3 carbinol. Biochem Pharmacol 1999; 58: 825-34.
5. Fujiki H, Suganuma M, Okabe S, et al. Mechanistic findins of green tea as cancer preventive for humans. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1999; 220: 225-8.
6. Huddleston M, Jackson EA. Is an extract of the fruit of agnus castus (chaste tree or chasteberry) effective for prevention of symptoms of PMS? J Fam Pract 2001; 50: 298.
7. Kao YH, Hiipakka RA, Liao S. Modulation of endocrine systems and food intake by green tea epigallocatechin gallate. Endocrinology 2000; 141: 980-7.
8. Liu J, Burdette JE, Xu H, et al. Evaluation of estrogenic activity of plant extracts for the potential treatment of menopausal symptoms. J Agric Food Chem 2001; 49: 2472-9.
9. Loch EG, Selle H, Boblitz N. Treatment of premenstrual syndrome with a phytopharmaceutical formulation containing Vitex agnus castus. J Womens Health Gend Based Med 2000; 9: 315-20.
10. Schellenberg R. Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: propective, randomized, placebo controlled study. Bmj 2001; 322: 134-7.
11. Shertzer HG, Senft AP. The micronutrient indole 3-carbinol: implications for disease and chemoprevention. Drug Metabol Drug Interact 2000; 17: 159-88.