Calcium-D-Glucarate

We are proud to announce that we now carry NOW's Calcium-D-Glucarate. This is a versatile supplement that many people can benefit from, but despite its name, it is not a good source of calcium. The primary benefit of Calcium-D-Glucarate is the “D-Glucarate,” it just needs to be bound to a small amount of calcium to be used. It converts to glucaric acid, a natural detoxifying agent, which is naturally found in foods like oranges, grapefruits, apples, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, and Kombucha.  

Calcium-D-Glucarate is a powerful detoxifying agent, especially because of how it boosts the liver’s detoxification function. Dave Asprey of Bulletproof explains: 

“One of the ways the body gets rid of toxins is through a process called conjugation. During conjugation, toxins are packaged into water soluble compounds called glucuronides. Glucuronides are meant to pass through the liver, to the bile, then to the gut where they are excreted. However, high levels of an enzyme called beta-glucuronide can inhibit this process. This enzyme separates toxins from their conjugate bond and allows them to be reabsorbed. This allows toxins to keep circulating in the body where they make you fat, tired, and weak. 
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Calcium-d-glucarate prevents beta-glucuronide from disturbing this process.  It keeps the toxins bound inside a glucuronide which is then removed from the body.  Toxins are most damaging in their free form, which is why you want them to be bound (conjugated) and released from the body.  Calcium-d-glucarate inhibits beta-glucuronidase which allows toxins to be removed.”   4 Reasons Bulletproof (and Paleo) People Should Take Calcium-D-Glucarate

The antagonistic beta-glucuronide enzyme he is referring to is an enzyme naturally found in the gut, where it should stay in balance with the rest of the gut. It is useful in the digestion of carbohydrates at normal levels, but high levels lead to detoxification problems in the whole body. It is possible to have high levels of beta-glucuronide after taking antibiotics that kill bacteria that keep the balance in the gut. High beta-glucuronide can also be from ingesting too many toxic free radicals from smoking, drinking too much alcohol, eating a highly processed and high sugar diet, or too much exposure to xenoestrogens. Essentially, the more toxic substances we expose ourselves too, the higher risk of an imbalance of beta-glucuronide, which can prevent our bodies from naturally detoxifying well. ​

Uses of Calcium-D-Glucarate
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Cancer Prevention  
Studies on animals have shown that Calcium-D-Glucarate inhibits beta-glucuronidase, which is associated with increased risks for hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast, prostate, and colon cancer. It also reduces inflammation of cancer tumors because it induces apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death essential for stopping the proliferation of cancer cells. This was demonstrated in two different studies: A study on mice showed that it helped inhibit cancerous tumors in the lungs. The other study also showed that it inhibited the development of skin cancer in mice.  
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Additional Sources:
Potential use of d-glucaric acid derivatives in cancer prevention - ScienceDirect

Metabolism, uptake, and excretion of a D-glucaric acid salt and its potential use in cancer prevention - PubMed (nih.gov)

Reduce LDL Cholesterol  
A study on rats also shows that Calcium-D-Glucarate reduced total LDL levels, but what’s just as exciting is that a different study showed that adding Calcium-D-Glucarate to a rat’s diet preventing the development of high cholesterol.

Reduces Excess Estrogen 
Both men and women can have too much estrogen. In women, too much estrogen can be a part of conditions such as endometriosis, PMDD, polycystic ovarian syndrome, fibroids, and more. In men, too much estrogen can cause testosterone to be less effective, and they can develop breasts and store fat in their hips and thighs. It is possible to get an excess of xenoestrogens, chemicals that act like estrogen in our bodies, from plastics, synthetic fragrances, and certain plants. Because of the way Calcium-D-Glucarate binds toxins, including excess estrogen and xenoestrogens, and supports the liver’s detox process, it helps to open up the pathways to clean it from our bodies. It helps to balance our hormones and maintain normal healthy levels. 

Additional Sources:
Calcium D-Glucarate for excess estrogen treatment & restoring natural hormone balance | European HRT for women Network Foundation | Natural HRT techniques and information (hrtnet.org)

Calcium-D-glucarate - PubMed (nih.gov)
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Effects of A Breast-Health Herbal Formula Supplement on Estrogen Metabolism in Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women not Taking Hormonal Contraceptives or Supplements: A Randomized Controlled Trial (nih.gov)

A Companion for a High-Protein Diet 
A high-protein diet can be beneficial to meet certain goals, but it can lead to an increase in ammonia that our livers and kidneys can struggle to excrete. Our bodies are meant to be able to handle the ammonia from a high protein diet, but if our total toxic burden in our bodies is too high then our bodies may be too overwhelmed to process the ammonia. Calcium-D-Glucarate supports the liver and kidneys in keeping the ammonia bound so it can be naturally excreted.  

​How Much to Take?
The trouble is we have a lack of human studies on Calcium-D-Glucarate, but many animal studies. It is well tolerated by humans. Follow the directions on your supplement label. A normal dose is between 500-1000 mg, but according to Dave Asprey, a higher dose may be required for detoxing excess estrogen.

​Side Effects?
Calcium-D-Glucarate may increase the absorption of certain medications through the liver, or even remove these prescription drugs from your body too quickly. If you take prescription drugs, consult with your doctor before taking this supplement. There is no evidence of foods high in Calcium-D-Glucarate, such a broccoli, causing interactions with prescription drugs.  

​Author: Sarah Langer