NOW Indole-3-Carbinol 200 mg with Lignans – 60 Veg Capsules
NOW Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) with Lignans delivers powerful phytonutrients found in dark green cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage to support healthy hormone balance and natural liver cleansing. Each single vegetarian capsule pairs 200 mg of pure Indole-3-Carbinol with 200 mg of Flax Seed Lignan Extract, providing dual-action cellular defense for both women and men. By helping your body steer estrogen breakdown down the cleanest, most protective biological highway, this targeted formula promotes breast, uterine, and prostate tissue health.
Quick Specs Snapshot
✓Active Form & Potency: 200 mg of verified Indole-3-Carbinol plus 200 mg of standardized Flax Seed Lignan Extract (Linum usitatissimum, seed coat) per single capsule serving.
✓Primary Cellular Target: Healthy estrogen metabolism (the protective 2-hydroxyestrone pathway), liver Phase I and Phase II detoxification systems, and antioxidant cellular defense.
✓Supply & Value Math: 60 servings per bottle delivers a full 2-month supply at 1 capsule per day, giving you concentrated vegetable nutrition for just pennies a day.
✓Formulation Purity: 100% vegetarian and vegan, non-GMO, and free from gluten, wheat, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, and sesame.
Buyer’s Guide & Form Comparison
Why the Form Matters: I3C + Lignans vs. Isolated DIM & Raw Powders
Many shoppers wonder whether they should take isolated DIM (diindolylmethane), raw broccoli powder, or Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C). When you swallow I3C, your stomach acid naturally turns it into DIM plus a full family of other active indoles (such as ICZ and LTr-1). This natural cascade mirrors eating an entire plate of fresh cruciferous vegetables, providing broader cellular support than synthetic, isolated DIM alone [1, 2]. Furthermore, plain grocery store vegetable powders contain tiny, unpredictable amounts of active compounds, whereas this formula guarantees an exact 200 mg dose of pure I3C paired with 200 mg of standardized flax lignans [3].
Is This Formula Right for You?
Ideal For Shoppers Who:
✓Want targeted nutritional support for healthy estrogen breakdown and hormonal harmony (both women and men).
✓Want to assist their liver’s natural detox pathways to help clear out environmental toxins and xenoestrogens.
✓Seek the proven breast, uterine, and prostate cellular defense of brassica vegetables and flax seeds in one convenient daily pill.
Consider Another Option If:
✗You take strong prescription acid-blocking medications (like proton pump inhibitors) or have severely low stomach acid, as normal stomach acid is necessary to activate I3C into DIM (a pre-converted DIM supplement may work better for you).
✗You are pregnant or nursing (hormone-modulating botanical supplements should not be used during pregnancy or lactation without doctor approval).
✗You have difficulty swallowing standard two-piece vegetarian capsules and require a liquid or chewable format.
Risk-Free Assurance: Every purchase at VitaNet®, LLC is backed by our unconditional 100% money-back guarantee—we even cover return shipping costs, even on opened bottles—so you can evaluate your personal results with total peace of mind.
How It Works: Biochemical Pathways & Cellular Mechanisms
To understand how Indole-3-Carbinol protects your body, think of your liver as a busy sorting center that handles used hormones. Indole-3-Carbinol and flax lignans work together through four coordinated steps to keep your cells clean, balanced, and functioning smoothly:
1. The Stomach Acid Spark (Oligomerization)
Indole-3-Carbinol has the chemical formula C9H9NO. When you swallow it, normal hydrochloric acid (HCl) in your stomach acts like a master key. It connects individual I3C units together into a team of active compounds called oligomers. The primary compound created is Diindolylmethane (DIM, C17H14N2), alongside indolo[3,2-b]carbazole (ICZ) [1]. These active metabolites travel into your bloodstream and liver cells to trigger cellular protection.
2. Steering the Estrogen Highway (The 2:16 Ratio)
Your liver breaks down circulating estrogen along different pathways. One pathway turns estrogen into 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), often nicknamed the "good" or protective metabolite. Another pathway creates 16α-hydroxyestrone (16α-OHE1), a more reactive compound that can overstimulate breast, uterine, or prostate tissues. I3C activates specific Cytochrome P450 liver enzymes (CYP1A1 and CYP1A2), guiding estrogen down the protective 2-OHE1 highway and improving your 2:16 metabolite balance [1, 2].
3. Phase I & Phase II Liver Cleansing (Nrf2 Activation)
Detoxification happens in two stages. Phase I unpacks toxins, while Phase II acts like a soapy rinse cycle that neutralizes them and prepares them to leave the body. I3C turns on the body’s master antioxidant switch (the Nrf2 pathway), boosting essential Phase II enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and quinone reductase [2, 4]. This protects your cells from everyday oxidative damage.
4. Flax Lignan Support (SDG to Enterolignans)
The 200 mg of flax seed coat extract delivers secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG). Beneficial bacteria in your colon turn SDG into mammalian lignans called enterodiol and enterolactone [3]. These plant compounds gently bind to estrogen receptor beta (ER-β) and support sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), buffering hormone activity in the blood and providing sustained antioxidant shielding [3, 4].
Authoritative Scientific References:
Michnovicz, J. J., & Bradlow, H. L. (1990). Induction of estradiol metabolism by dietary indole-3-carbinol in humans. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 82(11), 947–949.
Reed, G. A., et al. (2005). A phase I study of indole-3-carbinol in women: tolerability and effects. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 14(8), 1953–1960.
Hallund, J., et al. (2006). The effect of a lignan complex isolated from flaxseed on inflammation markers in healthy postmenopausal women. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 60(4), 497–502.
Higdon, J. V., Delage, B., Williams, D. E., & Dashwood, R. H. (2007). Cruciferous vegetables and human cancer risk: epidemiologic evidence and mechanistic basis. Pharmacological Research, 55(3), 224–236.
Daily Dosing, Timing & Smart Synergies
Optimal Timing & Meal Pairing
Take 1 capsule 1 to 2 times daily, always with food. Taking your capsule alongside a solid meal is essential because digestion stimulates hydrochloric acid (HCl) production in your stomach, which powers the conversion of I3C into DIM and active indoles [1]. Taking it with food also protects sensitive stomachs from mild digestive upset.
Morning vs. Evening & Split Dosing
If you take 1 capsule daily, take it with breakfast or lunch. If you and your doctor decide on 2 capsules daily for added support, split the dose: take 1 capsule with breakfast and 1 capsule with dinner. Splitting your intake maintains steady levels of protective indoles in your bloodstream throughout the entire day.
Smart Synergies & Spacing Rules
NOW Indole-3-Carbinol pairs well with Calcium D-Glucarate (which supports Phase II glucuronidation, preventing recycled hormones from being reabsorbed by your intestines) and Milk Thistle (Silymarin) for overall liver cell support.
Spacing Rule: If you take antacids, acid reducers, or calcium carbonate chewables, separate them from this product by at least 2 hours so your stomach acid can properly activate the I3C.
Timeline of Results
✓Week 1 (Initial Activation): Your body begins absorbing active indoles and activating Phase I and Phase II liver detox enzymes.
✓Weeks 3–4 (Hormone Pathway Shift): The ratio of protective 2-hydroxyestrone metabolites rises, supporting breast, tissue, and cycle comfort [2].
✓Months 2–3+ (Sustained Cellular Defense): Long-term protection builds across breast, uterine, and prostate tissues while supporting ongoing liver detoxification.
Delivered in standard two-piece vegetarian capsules made from plant cellulose (hypromellose). The capsules feature a smooth, slick exterior that glides down easily with a standard 8-ounce glass of cool water.
Natural Aroma, Taste & Color Notes
Because Indole-3-Carbinol is concentrated from cruciferous vegetables, it carries a distinctive, natural sulfur or cabbage-like aroma when you open the bottle. This is completely normal and confirms the presence of genuine, active indoles. In addition, natural color variations occur: the powder may develop a faint pinkish tint over time. This pink hue is a harmless, natural characteristic of genuine I3C and does not affect the safety, potency, or quality of the product.
Other Ingredients Demystified
✓Hypromellose: Plant cellulose derived from pine trees that forms the 100% vegetarian capsule shell; dissolves quickly and cleanly in the stomach.
✓Rice Bran: Natural outer layer of rice grain used as a gentle, non-allergenic plant filler to ensure uniform capsule filling.
✓Silicon Dioxide: Pure, food-grade mineral silica that prevents clumping and shields the active powder from environmental moisture.
✓Magnesium Stearate (Vegetable Source): Plant-derived lubricant that prevents botanical powders from sticking to encapsulation machines.
Storage & Stability Instructions
Keep the bottle tightly sealed away from heat, steam, and direct sunlight. Refrigeration is recommended after opening to preserve freshness and minimize natural pinkish color changes. Keep out of reach of children.
NOW Foods Lab Testing Standards & Contaminant Screening
In the dietary supplement world, cheap mass-market brands sold at big box stores often cut corners by using unstandardized raw powders contaminated with heavy metals, pesticide residues, or degraded active ingredients. NOW Foods operates one of the most advanced private quality-assurance programs in the nutritional science industry, running over 19,000 analytical tests every single month to guarantee purity.
Stringent Quality & Purity Testing Disciplines:
✓ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited In-House Labs: NOW conducts raw ingredient and finished batch testing inside state-of-the-art testing facilities in Bloomingdale, Illinois and Sparks, Nevada, accredited to the highest international scientific benchmarks.
✓ICP-MS Parts-Per-Billion Heavy Metal Screening: Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), raw I3C and flax extracts are screened down to parts-per-billion (ppb) for toxic elements, including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, beating California Proposition 65 and USP safety ceilings.
✓HPLC Potency & Identity Verification: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints every lot of raw powder, verifying exactly 200 mg of genuine Indole-3-Carbinol and 200 mg of flax lignans per capsule with zero fillers or adulterants.
✓GC-MS/MS & LC-MS/MS Pesticide Screening: Tandem mass spectrometry screens incoming botanical shipments against an extensive panel of over 500 agricultural chemicals, fungicides, and synthetic pesticide residues.
✓Microbiological Pathogen Testing: Automated microbiological plating assays confirm the absolute absence of harmful pathogens, including Salmonella species, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, alongside strict limits on yeasts and molds.
NOW manufacturing facilities are audited and certified for Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) by UL Solutions and carry an "A-rated" Good Manufacturing Practices rating through the Natural Products Association (NPA).
Verified Supplement Facts & Product Information
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Veg Capsule Servings Per Container: 60
Other Ingredients: Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Rice Bran, Silicon Dioxide, and Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source).
Allergen Declaration: Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Safety Warnings: For adults only. Consult a physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. This product may cause digestive upset in some sensitive individuals. If you experience any gastrointestinal discomfort after using this product, reduce dosage or discontinue use. Keep out of reach of children.
Manufacturing Attributes: Made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. Family owned since 1968.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Why Buy NOW Indole-3-Carbinol from VitaNet®, LLC
When purchasing dietary supplements online, product freshness, climate-controlled storage, and retailer authenticity are crucial for your safety. VitaNet®, LLC is an independent, family-owned supplement and nutrition retailer that has served health-conscious consumers online since 1995.
✓31+ Years of Human Biochemistry Experience: Founded in 1995 and based in Hartville, Ohio, our three decades of hands-on curation ensure you receive professional-grade health guidance.
✓Factory-Direct Freshness: We maintain verified wholesale distributor accounts with NOW Foods. Your supplements never sit in overheated, unmonitored third-party warehouses.
✓Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee: We stand behind every bottle we sell. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, we refund your purchase price and cover return shipping, even on opened bottles.
✓BBB A+ Accredited Business: VitaNet maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, reflecting our dedication to honest business practices and consumer trust.
✓Live Personalized Phone Support: Have a question about your order or formulation? Call our customer desk at (330) 877-8786 to speak with a real person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) and Diindolylmethane (DIM)?
Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) is the natural parent compound found in fresh cruciferous vegetables. When swallowed, your stomach acid converts I3C into DIM plus a full family of other active indolic compounds (including ICZ and LTr-1). Isolated DIM supplements provide only a single metabolite, while I3C provides the complete broad spectrum of vegetable nutrients just as nature intended.
Why do my capsules have a sulfur smell and look slightly pink?
Because I3C is concentrated from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, it naturally carries a distinct sulfur or earthy cabbage-like aroma. In addition, I3C can naturally develop a slight pinkish tint over time. This is a normal physical property of genuine I3C that does not affect safety, potency, or purity. Keeping your bottle refrigerated after opening helps maintain freshness and minimizes color changes.
Can I open the vegetarian capsule and stir the powder into water or food?
While you technically can pull the capsule apart, we strongly recommend swallowing it whole. Indole-3-Carbinol has a very sharp, bitter taste and a strong sulfur aroma that most people find unpalatable when mixed directly into food or liquids. Swallowing the vegetarian capsule whole ensures the powder reaches your stomach acid intact for smooth conversion into active indoles without throat irritation.
Will taking NOW Indole-3-Carbinol break an intermittent fast?
A single capsule contains virtually zero calories and will not break a fast from a macronutrient perspective. However, I3C requires active stomach acid to convert into DIM and should always be taken with food to prevent mild gastrointestinal sensitivity. For best results, take your capsule during your normal eating window alongside a meal.
Can men benefit from taking Indole-3-Carbinol with Lignans, or is it only for women?
Both men and women produce estrogen and need healthy pathways to process it. In men, excess estrogen or sluggish hormone metabolism can affect prostate cellular health and energy. The active indoles in I3C help men maintain an optimal estrogen-to-testosterone balance and support prostate cell integrity, while flax lignans provide natural antioxidant protection.
