Written by Steve Theunissen | ISSA: CPT & Fitness Nutrition
Fact checked by Robert Iafelice, MS, RD, LDN
FACT CHECKED
We adhere to a strict methodology when reviewing products. We strive to deliver you an unbiased opinion on products and services so that you're able to make an informed decision. Learn More
We may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this page at no cost to you. Learn More
Estrogen is the main female sex hormone in the human body. If its levels are unregulated, it can cause a wide range of health problems, especially in men.
Diindolylmethane, or DIM, is a compound the body can make from vegetables that helps regulate estrogen levels and promote hormonal balance. Taking DIM supplements has become popular, with the market being saturated with different brands.
Finding a high-quality DIM supplement might sound easy, given that you have so many choices. In fact, the opposite is true. Some brands will not provide what your body needs to give you the benefits you should be getting from a DIM supplement. Sorting out the good from the bad is no easy task. This article directs you to the 5 best DIM supplements on the market. We'll delve into the science-backed benefits of DIM and provide you with a handy buyer's guide.
5 Best DIM Supplements
- Overall Best: Effective Nutra DIM
- Best Budget: BulkSupplements DIM Powder
- Best For Weight Loss: Nutricost DIM
- Best For Women: Nature's Way DIM Plus
- Best For Males: SM Nutrition DIM For Men
SFS Pick
Effective Nutra
Budget Pick
BulkSupplements
3rd Pick
Nutricost
1. Overall Best DIM Supplement: Effective Nutra DIM
Effective Nutra DIM is an extra-strength supplement that provides 300 mg of DIM in every veggie capsule. That means that you need only take one capsule per day to get the amount you need. You also get 5 mg of Bioperine, which is a completely natural black pepper extract that boosts the bioavailability and absorbability of the DIM.
Effective Nutra DIM is 3rd party tested, giving you the confidence that what you are swallowing is exactly what is stated on the label. This supplement is made in the USA and is non-GMO and vegan. Effective Nutra manufactures their supplements in GMP-certified facilities.
Pros
- 300 mg per capsule plus 5mg Bioperine
- Only requires one capsule per day
- 3rd party tested
Cons
- DIM dosage may be too high for some people
300mg of pure DIM and 5mg of BioPerine ensures you get all you need in just one easy to swallow capsule serving...
2. Best Budget DIM Supplement: BulkSupplements DIM Powder
BulkSupplements DIM Powder provides you with a bulk quantity of DIM to greatly reduce the cost and allow you to add the powder to your favorite beverage. It is available across a range of pack sizes from 10 grams to 5 kg.
This is a pure DIM supplement. The serving size is 200 mg, so your bulk pack is going to last a long time. BulkSupplements recommend taking one to two servings per day.
BulkSupplements DIM Powder is flavorless, allowing you to add it to beverages.
Pros
- Powder form so it can be added to beverages
- Cost-effective
- Pure DIM
Cons
- Can be difficult to measure out dosages
BulkSupplements DIM powder provides 200mg per serving. Add it to your beverage of choice or...
3. Best DIM Supplement For Weight Loss: Nutricost DIM
Nutricost DIM provides a similar profile as our top-rated DIM supplement, with 300 mg of DIM and 5 mg of Bioperine per capsule. However, the capsules are a little larger than you get from Effective Nutra, which may make them harder to swallow. As with Effective Nutra, you only need to take one capsule per day.
Nutricost make use of a 3rd party testing laboratory to ensure that every batch released onto the market is of the highest purity and potency. This product is made in a GMP-compliant FDA-registered facility in the United States.
A number of online reviews from verified purchasers of Nutricost DIM have specifically noted that it appears to have contributed to their weight loss.
Pros
- High dose
- Contains Bioperine for greater absorption
- 3rd party tested
Cons
- Capsules are quite large
120 vegetarian capsules of the highest quality Diindolylmethane (DIM) per bottle. Extra strength serving of 300mg of DIM per Capsule...
4. Best DIM Supplement For Women: Nature's Way DIM Plus
Nature's Way DIM Plus combines 100 mg of DIM with a 100 mg vegetable blend containing spinach, broccoli, and cabbage extract. The serving sizes for men and women are different, with Nature's Way recommending that women take two capsules per day while men should take two capsules twice per day. There are 120 capsules in each container.
Nature's Way makes use of a special complex called BR-DIM that it claims increases the bioavailability of the DIM. They assert that this assures that you get a more stabilized and consistent dose.
There are no preservatives or artificial sweeteners in this GMO-free and vegan-friendly supplement.
Pros
- Bioavailability enhanced version of DIM
- Includes a special vegetable complex
- GMO-free and vegan friendly
Cons
- Requires taking up to 4 capsules per day (for men)
Contains BR-DIM Complex, an enhanced bioavailability delivery system, plus plant-based Protectamins vegetable blend. Nature’s Way is a trusted health partner that...
5. Best DIM Supplement For Males: SM Nutrition DIM For Men
SM Nutrition DIM for Men has been specially formulated as an estrogen blocker for males, helping prevent excess estrogen from forming. It does this by acting as an aromatase inhibitor, supporting the breakdown of estrogen to promote muscle growth, increased energy, and prostate health.
Each capsule of SM Nutrition DIM for Men contains:
- 300 mg of DIM
- 100 mg of calcium-d-glucarate (CDG)
- 50 mg of broccoli sprout extract
- 25 mg of broccoli seed extract
- 5 mg of Bioperine
CDG has been shown to assist in estrogen metabolism, while broccoli sprout and seed extract are known to boost the body's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ability.
All SM Nutrition supplements are 3rd party tested, giving you confidence that you are getting a pure, unadulterated product.
Pros
- Fortified with CDG
- Includes broccoli extract for increased antioxidants and anti-inflammatory power
- 3rd party tested
Cons
- One reviewer reported experiencing extreme tachycardia from use
Every once-daily capsule of DIM 300 Complex for men contains 300mg of DIM, and each bottle contains a convenient 2-month supply. BioPerine is also included...
What is DIM?
Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a compound that the body creates when cruciferous vegetables are consumed. Cruciferous vegetables are part of the cabbage family and include broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and bok choy. When these foods are broken down in the body, a compound known as indole-3 carbinol is created. This compound, in turn, creates DIM.
So, the body does not naturally produce DIM. We rely on vegetables to get it. Yet, many people are not very good at including a sufficient supply of vegetables in their diet. To make up for the shortfall, DIM can be obtained through supplementation.
There has not been a great deal of research into the health benefits of supplementing with DIM. However, it is well established that it is able to regulate estrogen levels in the body and correct hormonal imbalance, which may help women deal with menopause symptoms.
Benefits of DIM:
There are many health benefits of DIM but DIM's main benefit in the body relates to its ability to regulate estrogen. Estrogen levels that are out of whack can lead to acne, fat gain and mood swings. It is also believed to control the negative effects of the overproduction of some other hormones that might cause hot flashes, night sweats, and even hormonal acne.
Here's an overview of four science-backed benefits of supplementing with DIM.
1. May help with weight loss
A number of studies have associated estrogen imbalance with weight gain. They indicate that both too much and too little estrogen production can result in unwanted fat accumulation. DIM's ability to balance out estrogen levels may, as a result, be able to help with weight loss.1
There is also some evidence that taking a DIM supplement can speed up the breakdown of stored body fat for use as energy by the body. However, the research to support this assertion is based on animal, rather than, human studies.2
2. Can help balance hormone levels
Men can suffer from a wide range of unwanted effects if their hormone balance is off and their estrogen levels are too high. This may include breast enlargement, infertility, and erectile dysfunction. Animal studies have demonstrated DIM's ability to lower estrogen levels. However, human studies are needed to confirm this ability in humans.
One study suggested that DIM may have the ability to lower the levels of the aromatase hormone, which has the ability to convert testosterone to estrogen.3
3. May help build lean muscle mass
DIM makes sure that there will be more 2-hydroxy estrogen("good" estrogen) than 16-hydroxy and 4-hydroxy estrogens, ("bad" estrogen), when estrogen is metabolized.
More testosterone will be released when there are more beneficial estrogens that bind to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Men who have high free testosterone levels have more muscular mass.
Only free testosterone can enter muscle tissue. Once inside, they'll start activating your neurotransmitters to encourage growth. Since testosterone is an anabolic hormone, it also encourages the creation of protein, which builds stronger and bigger muscles.
By making sure that more of this hormone is left unbound, DIM boosts testosterone levels.4
4. Anti-inflammatory properties
Recent research suggests that DIM may be able to significantly improve the body's inflammation response. It does this by acting on a group of receptors known as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (ppars).
Side Effects of DIM
At this stage, there has been insufficient human research to quantify the long-term side effects of supplementing with DIM. It can be stated that there are no serious short-term side effects of taking it which makes DIM supplements safe to consume for most however you should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplementation regimen.
The following side effects have been noted:
- Darkened urine
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Gas
What to look for when buying DIM supplements:
DIM is one of those supplements that may appear generic, so the cheapest brand will do. But that's not the case.
Here are four things you should take into account before pressing the "Buy Now" button:
1. Ingredients
DIM supplement ingredients are sourced from cruciferous vegetables. Check the label to make sure that only non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free ingredients are used unlike other DIM supplements that might use fillers or less user friendly. Make sure, too, that the product does not include any artificial ingredients. Don't be surprised to see vitamin E or Bioperine as ingredients on the label as they're thought to help improve the bioavailability of DIM.
2. Testing/Transparency
When you purchase from a manufacturer who employs a 3rd party testing laboratory, you get the assurance that what you are putting into your body is exactly what is stated on the label in the dosage that is listed. The product label will indicate that a 3rd party tester has been used.
3. Price
The best way to compare supplement prices is on a per-serving basis. The price of DIM supplements appears to range from about 16 cents to 28 cents per daily serving. The average cost of the 5 best DIM supplements reviewed on this page is 20 cents per serving.
4. Reviews
By checking verified user reviews of DIM supplements, you are able to build a picture of the effectiveness and side effects that people experience from using it.
DIM Supplements FAQs
Who shouldn't take DIM?
DIM should not be taken by children or pregnant women. People who have a hormone-related illness should consult their medical professional before taking a DIM supplement.
What does DIM do for weight loss?
DIM may be able to help with weight by controlling estrogen levels. In one study on animals, DIM was also seen to be able to enhance the conversion of stored body fat to energy.
Should DIM be taken in the morning or night?
Although there are no research-based recommendations, anecdotal evidence suggests that taking DIM in the morning with a small amount of food results in fewer side effects.
Should DIM be taken every day?
Yes, DIM can be taken every day for long as deemed necessary.
Summary
DIM is a popular supplement that may help control hormone levels, improve weight loss ability and boost free testosterone levels to help build muscle. If you're looking to correct hormonal imbalances, our pick for the best DIM supplement on the current market is Effective Nutra DIM, which provides 300mg of pure DIM and 5mg of BioPerine per serving.
We hope this post helped you navigate through the endless options of DIM online.
300mg of pure DIM and 5mg of BioPerine ensures you can promote healthy hormone ratios with one easy...
Looking for more supplements to help balance your hormone levels? Check out our post that covers the Best Saw Palmetto Supplements on the market.
References
- Brown LM, Clegg DJ. Central effects of estradiol in the regulation of food intake, body weight, and adiposity. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2010 Oct;122(1-3):65-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2009.12.005. Epub 2009 Dec 24. PMID: 20035866; PMCID: PMC2889220.
- Yang H, Seo SG, Shin SH, Min S, Kang MJ, Yoo R, Kwon JY, Yue S, Kim KH, Cheng JX, Kim JR, Park JS, Kim JH, Park JHY, Lee HJ, Lee KW. 3,3'-Diindolylmethane suppresses high-fat diet-induced obesity through inhibiting adipogenesis of pre-adipocytes by targeting USP2 activity. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2017 Oct;61(10). doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201700119. Epub 2017 Jul 18. PMID: 28586165.
- Thomson CA, Ho E, Strom MB. Chemopreventive properties of 3,3'-diindolylmethane in breast cancer: evidence from experimental and human studies. Nutr Rev. 2016 Jul;74(7):432-43. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuw010. Epub 2016 May 31. PMID: 27261275; PMCID: PMC5059820.
- Schulster M, Bernie AM, Ramasamy R. The role of estradiol in male reproductive function. Asian J Androl. 2016 May-Jun;18(3):435-40. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.173932. PMID: 26908066; PMCID: PMC4854098.
Steve Theunissen
Author