Indole-3-Carbinol
200 mg / 60 vcaps

MORE INFORMATION

What is Indole-3-Carbinol?

It is often stated that Indole 3 Carbinol is found in cruciferous vegetables (the cabbage family). Strictly speaking, this is not true. Actually, the natural compound found there is Indole 3 glucosinolate (I3G), which is found in good concentrations in broccoli, kale, cabbage, bok choi, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and even turnip. I3G has minimal anti-cancer activity but upon cutting, mastication or light cooking, an enzyme (called myrosinase) is released in the vegetables and this converts indole 3 glucosinolate to indole 3 carbinol. A mass of research now indicates that the latter has significant anti-cancer properties.

Indole 3 Carbinol (I3C) is a member of the glucosinolates family. This group of compounds contains other indoles and also isothiocyanates, such as sulphoraphane. These are known antioxidants and natural detoxifying enzymes. Sulphoraphanes have also been shown to have strong anti-cancer properties.

The first recorded use of the bioactive natural compounds in cruciferous vegetables was the recommendation of Cato the Elder, a Roman Statesman around 200 BC, who wrote that, If a cancerous ulcer appears on the breast, apply a crushed cabbage leaf and it will make it well.

Between 1990 and the current time, there have been over 120 peer-reviewed scientific studies on indole 3 carbinol with cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer and even respiratory tract cancers. For example, in one (albeit small) double blind study on women with cervical cancer, supplementation of 200 mgs to 400 mgs of I3C reversed the early stages of cancer in 8 of the 17 women. I3C is potent stuff.

So what does it actually do?

First, a caveat. I3C is unstable and much of it converts in the intestine to its metabolites Diindolymethane (DIM) and indole carbazole (ICZ). I3C, DIM and ICZ are all absorbed into the bloodstream and any or all could be active, separately or in conjunction, in the real world.

Indeed there is an increasing amount of research on DIM for a Cancer Watch report on the latest studies. Some cancer experts believe that DIM has by far the strongest properties and is easier to use as a controlled-dose supplement. Blood levels may be pre-determined more accurately with DIM whereas I3C ingestion or supplementation may see inconsistent levels of I3C in the blood stream as it is broken down.

I3C and/or DIM seem to work at a number of levels and in several ways on cells and tissues.

1. General activities:

They are antioxidants, neutralising free-radicals. According to research covered in Cancer Watch, they can inhibit the negative action of the HPV virus, restrict carcinogenic aflatoxins and prevent them causing certain cancers. They can also denature dangerous chemicals called dioxins and prevent them from causing DNA damage.

2. Anti-cancer action involving anti-oestrogenic activity

I3C/DIM inhibit and reverse oestrogen-driven cancers, where aggressive oestradiol binds to cellular receptor sites causing havoc inside the cells.

1. a) by denaturing the aggressive form of oestrogen (oestradiol) to a weaker form.
2. b) by regulating a binding protein and modifying oestrogen receptor sites on cell membranes so that oestradiol cannot bind to them and thus cause havoc inside the cell.

This is applicable in male and female cancers such as breast and prostate.

3. Anti-cancer action not involving oestrogen

1. a) DIM, in particular, has been shown to restore the p21 gene activity preventing synthesis of DNA for new cancer cells. It thus stops cancers forming or growing.
2. b) It has also been shown to decrease HIF-1 alpha and stop tumours forming a blood supply (May, 2008, Biochemical Pharmacology Journal)
3. c)  Orally taken supplements of I3C can cause destruction of the Cdc25A molecule, which is responsible for the rapid cell division in cancers such as breast, prostate, colorectal, oesophageal, liver and lymphoma (Ohio State Medical School, Cancer Watch, 2010)

Scientists from the Florida A&M University and Dr Stephen Safe from Texas A&M University have actually gone on record saying they believe DIM is the effective treatment for triple negative breast cancer, they are so confident in their research. Triple-negative breast cancer does not involve oestrogen, progesterone or HER-2.

From this short summary it is easy to see why pharmaceutical companies are so excited – but you can eat the cruciferous vegetable (but it is essential to avoid overcooking) or supplement with I3C, DIM, or both.

The detail:

Antioxidant:

Indoles and isothiocyanates are known antioxidants and can naturally neutralise free radicals. For example, research has shown that they can inhibit free radicals which cause the oxidation of fats, for example, in the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein.

Anti-artherogenic activity:

A by-product of I3C in the body inhibits smooth muscle proliferation and would therefore inhibit some heart and artery wall problems.

Anti-cancer activity:

I3C has been shown in research to inhibit the action of some aflatoxins, which are carcinogenic. It also prevents aflatoxin-induced liver cancer, leukaemia and colon cancer.

I3C can reduce, and even reverse, breast tumour growth

In cell cultures, I3C inhibits human papilloma virus (HPV) proliferation, and the development of cysts and pre-cancerous lesions. There is some evidence that I3C may help prevent recurrences of respiratory papillomatosis.

Further research indicates that I3C may well protect your liver, but the most interesting aspect of I3C is its seeming ability to reduce, even reverse, oestrogen-driven tumour growth. The Roman was right!

I3C seems to act in five ways:

• By converting highly active oestrogen forms, and their by-products, to much safer compounds
• By partially blocking oestrogen receptor sites on cell membranes.
• By returning alpha and beta receptor site expression to normal levels
• By blocking other cancer-enhancing receptor sites
• By directly killing cancer cells.

What is Indole-3-Carbinol used for?

Indole-3-Carbinol can be used for a range of health issues. Besides being taken to balance out hormonal levels, assist in detoxing or perhaps just as a general health boost, it can be used to treat:

Cancer: A study conducted in Haifa, Israel at the Israel Institute of Technology investigated the use of I3C on mice as a preventative as well as a therapeutic treatment for cancer. Injected directly into the prostate tumour, it hindered the growth. It was found to regulate genes that played a significant role in the control of cell cycle, cell proliferation and signal transduction.

Although more studies are being conducted worldwide to include a spectrum of factors, Indole-3-Carbinol was found to impede estrogen receptors in breast membranes, reducing the risk of breast cancer.

There is a repair protein known as BRCA that prevent damaged genetic DNA being passed to the next generation. Faulty BRCA genes increase the risk of developing cancers. As low amounts of BRCA are seen in cancer cells, it is suggested that higher levels of BRCA will prevent further growth. It is proposed that Indole-3-Carbinol will assist in boosting this repair protein.

The studies that are currently being undertaken include assessing I3C in conjunction with various illnesses including Lymphoma and Leukemia. Please seek advice from your doctor for further information regarding Indolei-3-Carbinol to treat cancer.

Fibromyalgia: A range of symptoms defines this musculoskeletal condition including muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, sleeping difficulty, fatigue and decreased pain threshold on tender points. These tender points, also defined as trigger points, include hips, knees, outer elbows, upper chest, shoulders and back of head. Suffering from this syndrome often leads to anxiety and depression.

Laryngeal papillomatosis: This is a tumour, caused by a virus, inside the voice box. It can also be used to treat tumours in the respiratory tract.

Cervical dysplasia:This is a condition where there are abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. It is a precancerous condition thats most commonly found in sexually active women under the age of 30. Symptoms are not obvious and prognosis is often discovered after a Pap test. If left untreated, the risk of developing cervical cancer heightens.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Also known as lupus, this autoimmune disease is characterised by severe fatigue, joint pain, headaches, anaemia, facial rash and blood clots. This disease attacks certain parts of the body in alternative phases, which generally allows affected people to live a normal life. SLE is not curative and the aim is to relieve the symptoms through diet and lifestyle choices. Taking Indole-3-Carbinol may support cellular reproduction and assist in detoxifying the body.

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia: A trial conducted in the United Kingdom assessed women who suffered this disease and were randomized to receive 200 and 400mg of Indole-3-Carbinol. It was found there was no difference between those who consumed 200mg and those who consumed 400mg. Nevertheless it proved to be successful with lesion size and severity dramatically reduced with a better symptomatology and vulvoscopic appearance however the vulval areas with the most traumas did not improve.