If you suffer from hormonal acne, which many of us do in our teens, twenties and beyond, you may have heard of DIM, or Diindolylmethane, a supplement for acne derived from vegetables in the cruciferous family, such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. The supplement is gaining traction as some studies show its effectiveness is as powerful as prescription medications, specifically spironolactone – a medication often prescribed for hormonal acne. In fact, DIM was featured in Women’s Health this May as part of their Acne Week 2020. The article on the topic states that anecdotal evidence shows that taking approximately 200mg daily can make a difference in hormonal acne.
And all without side effects? Well, not exactly. DIM is classified as “possibly safe” and comes with a list of side effects, which include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, headaches, and amber-colored urine. DIM should not be used in children or adolescents suffering from acne. In addition to gut disruptions, DIM may act as estrogen in the body and could worsen hormone-sensitive issues (such as breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, as well as endometriosis and uterine fibroids). So, should we trade our hormonal acne issues for GI and hormonal issues? Or should we eat the broccoli? At Gutbliss, we say eat the darn broccoli!!
While acne can be extremely challenging to deal with, many dietary alterations have shown to make impactful shifts in your skin – and without any negative side effects whatsoever. Check out our in-depth article here on how to alter your diet for better skin. And remember, there is no substitute for a wide variety of whole, plant foods. They are your most promising path to better skin. Discover how you like to eat them – maybe blended in a green smoothie – and get after it!
