Ascorbigen

PhytochemicalIndoleBest with a meal

What is it

Ascorbigen is a condensation product of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and indole-3-carbinol (I3C, from cruciferous vegetables). It forms naturally in vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts during digestion and processing.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Estrogen metabolism support

Mixed Evidence

Most evidence in this area is for I3C and DIM rather than ascorbigen specifically. Human clinical data for ascorbigen as an isolated supplement is essentially absent.

How it works

Ascorbigen is one of the breakdown products of glucobrassicin (a glucosinolate in crucifers) reacting with vitamin C. In the digestive tract it can release indole-3-carbinol and other indole compounds. These metabolites are studied for effects on estrogen metabolism (favoring the 2-hydroxylation pathway, sometimes claimed as 'estrogen detox') and for potential anticancer properties in preclinical models. Human evidence for ascorbigen as a discrete supplement is limited; most clinical research focuses on I3C and its dimer DIM.

Dosage

No established dose. Found at small amounts in cruciferous vegetable extracts and some glucosinolate-focused supplements.

When and how to take it

If consumed as part of a vegetable-based supplement, take with meals.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Natural component of crucifers

Found in cooked and stored cruciferous vegetables and some specialty extracts.

Variable; depends on processing.

Safety

At dietary intake from crucifers, considered safe. Concentrated supplements are uncommon; safety data is limited.

Who should be cautious

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: limited data; stick to dietary amounts. People on medications metabolized by CYP1A2/CYP3A4 should consult a clinician for concentrated supplements.

Interactions

Indole-derived compounds (related to ascorbigen) may induce cytochrome P450 enzymes (especially CYP1A2 and CYP3A4), potentially altering drug metabolism. Caution with narrow-window medications.

Food sources

Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sauerkraut

Amount
Variable
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is ascorbigen the same as DIM?⌄

No. Both come from indole-3-carbinol breakdown, but ascorbigen is an ascorbic acid adduct, while DIM (diindolylmethane) is a dimer of I3C. They have related but distinct profiles.

References

Ascorbigen on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Ascorbigen (ChEBI:64944) — ChEBI link

Ascorbigen (PubChem CID 3081416) — PubChem link

Ascorbigen on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Ascorbigen (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Ascorbigen with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

Coming to App Store
Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.