Broccoli Extract Brassica oleracea Botrytis cymosa Sulforaphane indole-3-carbinol

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a secondary metabolite found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage and brussels sprouts. A secondary metabolite is one not found preformed in vegetables, but formed after an enzyme in the vegetable (myrosinase) is exposed to a phytochemcial in the vegetable (glucobrassicin). This can occur only when vegetable cells are crushed or eaten, and is referred to as enzymatic hydrolysis.

I3C, thus formed, is then broken down in the presence of acid (as in the acid environment of the stomach) to various by-products such as diindolylmethane (DIM), which are then absorbed.

Why is this important? Because I3C has been shown to inhibit cancer cells in animal cancer models of the mammary, liver, and lung.5-7 It is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials as a potential chemopreventive agent against breast and ovarian cancers.8

I3C appears to work by upregulating or modulating certain enzymes that improve the detoxification of various potential carcinogens¡ªalthough it appears to be the breakdown products that have this effect rather than IC3 itself. Furthermore, it is not clear that DIM is the only breakdown product of importance.9

Certainly DIM by itself has an effect, but these other products may also be important for the overall cancer-inhibiting action. As most of the research to date has focused on I3C, it seems prudent at this time to use supplements containing I3C instead of DIM. Just make sure you take it with meals and have sufficient acidifying capacity in your stomach