Indole-3-Carbinol 400mg by Pure Encapsulations

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is for adults who are working with a clinician on estrogen metabolism and want the compound found in broccoli, cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables in a measured amount. It is most often considered when urinary estrogen metabolite testing shows a low 2-OH(E1+E2) / 16α-OHE1 Ratio. It is not a general wellness supplement to take without a reason: it changes how the liver handles hormones and some medicines, so it suits people with a specific goal and someone following their labs.

I3C forms when cruciferous vegetables are chopped or chewed. In stomach acid it converts into several compounds, the main one being diindolylmethane (DIM). These compounds raise the activity of liver enzymes that convert estrogen to 2-hydroxy metabolites instead of the 16-alpha-hydroxy form, which shifts the balance between the two. The change in metabolites is well documented. Whether it translates into long-term health outcomes is not settled, and the clinical evidence is limited.

Each capsule provides 400 mg of indole-3-carbinol in a vegetarian capsule. The serving size is 1 capsule; follow the directions on your bottle or your clinician's advice on how often to take it. Take it with a meal, which reduces stomach upset. Because I3C relies on stomach acid to convert, acid-suppressing medicines may blunt its effect.

The cautions matter with this one. I3C raises the activity of the liver enzyme CYP1A2, which can lower blood levels of medicines that enzyme clears; if you take any prescription medicine, ask your prescriber or pharmacist before starting. Because it alters estrogen metabolism, people using hormonal contraception, hormone therapy or tamoxifen, and anyone with a hormone-sensitive condition, should use it only under a clinician's direction. Do not take it during pregnancy or while nursing. Dizziness, unsteadiness or a skin rash are reasons to stop.

There is nothing to feel. Urinary estrogen metabolites shift within about a month, so retest after one to three months to see whether it is doing what you wanted. The usual alternative is DIM, the main compound I3C becomes in the stomach. DIM does not depend on stomach acid and is the more widely used of the two; I3C delivers the broader mix of compounds that form from it. Which fits is a question for the clinician reading your results.