Calcium d glucarate, a byproduct of glucose oxidation, plays an integral role in detoxifying your body. It inhibits enzymes that counteract detoxification processes and ensures your system eliminates harmful substances correctly.
Your liver attempts to flush out hormones and other toxins by releasing beta-glucuronidase, a chemical enzyme. This release breaks up materials so they can be reabsorbed back into your system.
What is Calcium D-glucarate?
In mammals, including humans, calcium D-glucarate is a substance that occurs naturally in very small quantities. Many fruits and veggies contain it as the calcium salt of D-glucaric acid, but the highest concentrations are found in cruciferous vegetables, oranges, apples, and grapefruit.
Calcium D-glucarate has been shown to help with Phase II detoxification and may work synergistically when combined with other plant-based nutrients.
It has also been found to help the body excrete hormones, ultimately rebalancing the NEM stress response by ensuring that what the liver marked as toxic stays out of the body.
Calcium D-glucarate has shown efficacy at very high oral doses in reducing cancer induced by certain compounds, but may also reduce all steroid hormones as well.
Calcium D Glucarate Benefits
Detoxification
Detoxification is the body’s natural way of eliminating toxins from blood, liver and kidneys. It’s essential for cleansing your system from these impurities that may lead to obesity, cancer, diabetes and immune dysfunction in later life.
Calcium d glucarate is an antioxidant that aids the body’s detoxification process. It binds to glucaric acid, which can be found in various vegetables and fruits.
Glucaric acid helps the body rid itself of hormones and other toxins through glucoronidation, a detoxification process.
Glucuronic acid is then absorbed into the intestine and converted to another chemical known as d-glucaric acid.
D-glucaric acid can effectively neutralize steroid hormones and other toxins, as well as help eliminate free radicals and harmful substances that damage cells.
Furthermore, it may reduce the risk of certain hormone-dependent cancers like breast or prostate cancers.
Inhibits Beta-Glucuronidase Enzymes
Calcium D glucarate inhibits beta-glucuronidase enzymes produced in the colon by bacteria. Increased levels of this enzyme have been linked to estrogen dominance, a condition which may increase your risk for hormone-dependent cancers such as breast, prostate and colon.
The liver goes through two stages of detoxification: phase I converts many toxic and potentially hazardous compounds (like drugs, steroids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and some toxins) to a less hazardous metabolite.
Phase II (glucuronidation) breaks these metabolites down to their individual components which can then be excreted via the bile tract.
Phase II detoxification occurs when certain toxins and hormones become bound to glucuronic acid in the liver. But beta-glucuronidase can release these bound substances so they can be reabsorbed back into circulation rather than excreted from the body.
Calcium d glucarate inhibits beta-glucuronidase activity, preventing excess glucuronic acid from forming and increasing toxicity of toxins and hormones.
This process helps balance cholesterol levels by increasing liver circulation and decreasing production of cholesterol-producing proteins.
Decreases Estrogen Levels
Excess estrogen, commonly referred to as estrogen dominance, can cause a range of symptoms including infertility, PMS, menstrual problems, uterine fibroids, acne and weight gain.
Estrogen is naturally produced by the body, but if your levels of estrogen are too high you may require a supplement to reduce them. Calcium D-glucarate is an ideal choice for this as it aids the liver in eliminating extra estrogen.
This process, known as glucoronidation, involves the binding of steroid hormones and other fat-soluble substances to glucuronic acid. Once formed, this combines with bile to send toxins to the intestines for excretion from the body.
Calcium D-glucarate, by inhibiting beta-glucuronidase, can enhance detoxification and lower the risk of some cancers linked to excessive levels of steroid hormones in women’s bodies. This could contribute to improving their overall wellbeing and lead to an improvement in quality of life for these women.
Reduces Free Radicals
Free radicals are molecules with an unpaired electron that can damage cells in various ways. Over time, free radicals may contribute to health issues in areas such as lung, prostate, breast, liver and colon.
The body uses antioxidants to prevent free radicals from initiating a destructive chain reaction. The liver attempts to eliminate these toxins through glucuronidation, or binding them with water-soluble molecules in the gut that can then be excreted through bile, bowel movements and urine.
However, some toxins may remain in the body after glucuronidation. This is because the liver produces an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase that can reverse glucuronidation and allow these toxins to reenter circulation again.
What Are the Natural Sources of Calcium D-Glucarate
Calcium D-glucarate is a substance that is produced naturally in small amounts by mammals, including humans.
It is also found in many fruits and vegetables, with the highest concentrations to be found in oranges, apples, grapefruit, and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and spinach.
Other sources of calcium D-glucarate include Brussel sprouts, squash, cabbage, bean sprouts, cauliflower, and grapefruit. Making calcium D-glucarate involves mixing calcium with glucaric acid.
The Potential Side Effects of Taking Calcium D-Glucarate
Calcium D-glucarate is a popular supplement that has many benefits for health, including preventing the formation of cancer cells and helping with Phase II detoxification.
However, there are some potential side effects associated with taking calcium D-glucarate, especially if taken incorrectly or in high doses.
Some of the common side effects of calcium D-glucarate include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In addition, calcium D-glucarate can accumulate in the kidneys and form calcium oxalate kidney stones, especially in people who are deficient in vitamin D and vitamin K.
Another potential side effect is soft tissue calcification, which can occur if the supplement is taken on an empty stomach and enters the system too quickly.
The safety profile of calcium D-glucarate is relatively unknown due to a lack of well-designed clinical trials. In the few clinical trials that have been conducted, calcium D-glucarate and glucaric acid have been shown to cause no side effects or toxicity, even at extremely high doses.
To prevent any potential side effects from taking calcium D-glucarate supplements, it is recommended to take a break from using them every few months to give the body a break.
It is also important to consult with a doctor before taking calcium D-glucarate, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking any medications that may interact with the supplement.
What Is the Recommended Dosage of Calcium D-Glucarate?
The recommended dosage of calcium D-glucarate varies depending on the user’s age, health, and other factors. There is not enough medical evidence to establish a suitable range of dosages for calcium D-glucarate.
However, some sources provide general guidelines for casual usage. Supplement providers recommend a dosage range of 1,500-3,000 milligrams per day. Dr. Jolene Brighten, a medical practitioner, often starts patients on a dose of 200-500 mg as part of a holistic approach to balancing their hormones.
When taken at doses of 1,500 mg and 9 grams per day, calcium D-glucarate inhibits beta-glucuronidase.
Due to its lack of reliability even in theory and the high doses used, calcium D-glucarate does not seem to be a wise choice as a preventative supplement on a daily basis.
The use of calcium D-glucarate at a dosage of 100-200mg/kg may be prudent before exposure to glucuronidated toxins.
It is important to follow the instructions as directed on product labels and consult a pharmacist or doctor before using calcium D-glucarate.
