Cookies, candies, and parties… what a fun time of the year. However, one important ingredient might be in short supply on those party trays…indole-3-carbinol.

Indole-3-carbinol occurs naturally in “cruciferous” vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, and kale. Indole-3-carbinol is demonstrating a lot of promise because of its possible anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, and anti-atherogenic effects.

The mechanism of action is felt to be the ability of indole-3-carbinal to alter estrogen metabolism and other cellular effects. Animal studies demonstrate dose-related decreases in tumor susceptibility. In 2006, Hsu et al proved that indole-3-carbinol induces a growth arrest of human reproductive cancer cells.

In addition, researchers at Rockefeller University have found that the body metabolizes estrogens into several different forms that can impact cancer development. One form, 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), tends to inhibit cancer growth. Another, 16-µ-hydroxyestrone (16-µ-OHE1), actually encourages tumor development. A woman’s “biochemical individuality” determines how much of each form is produced.

An “Estronex 2/16 Test” is a measurement of these two forms of estrogen. Studies have shown that measuring the ratio of the 2-OHE1 (the “good” estrogen) and 16-µ-OHE1 (the “bad” estrogen), determined from a single urine specimen, provides an important indication of future risk for development of breast cancer.

Women with low ratios have much higher rates of breast cancer. Low ratios also indicate increased long-term risk for other estrogen-sensitive cancers, including uterine, ovarian, cervical, and even head and neck cancers.

What does indole-3-carbinol have to do with this ratio? Studies have demonstrated that consuming more foods containing indole-3-carbinol can raise the ratio.

Back to all the holiday foods…sometimes we simply do not consume enough of the protectant cruciferous vegetables. The good news is that indole-3-carbinol is also available in supplement form.

However, with supplementation comes a caution: be advised against the indiscriminant overuse of indole-3-carbinol in the hopes of preventing cancer. Researchers extend the caution  due to indole-3-carbinol’s effect on estrogen levels.

Like anything else, balance seems to be the key. Hmm, does that also mean to balance out the cookies with a little indole-3-carbinol this holiday season?  :  )