Indole-3-carbinol comes from a substance called glucobrassicin, which is found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale.
The amount of glucobrassicin found in vegetables varies depending on the plant, soil, rainfall, amount of sunlight, and other factors. Indole-3-carbinol is formed when these vegetables are cut, chewed or cooked. It might have effects that prevent the growth of certain types of cancer cells.
People use indole-3-carbinol for cancer prevention, liver disease, fibromyalgia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse indole-3-carbinol with cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, or with other chemicals found in these vegetables such as ascorbigen, diindolylmethane, or sulforaphane. These are not the same.
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