Calcium D-glucarate and its effect on the body

Effective detoxification is a key for maintaining good health. Calcium D-glucarate plays a crucial role in the body's proper detoxification process. It inhibits enzymes that reverse detoxification and supports the proper functioning of the detoxification process.

What is calcium D-glucarate and how does it work in the body?

Calcium D-glucarate is the calcium salt of D-glucaric acid. This acid occurs naturally in small amounts in mammals and in some fruits and vegetables (apples, oranges, grapefruits, and cruciferous vegetables).

In the body, it releases D-glucaric acid, which is converted into D-glucaro-1,4-lactone, an inhibitor of the beta-glucuronidase enzyme. This supports the removal of hormones (e.g., estrogens) and potentially harmful substances from the body through a process called glucuronidation.

Glucuronidation involves the attachment of glucuronic acid (a glucose derivative) to a target substance (drug, hormone, bilirubin), forming a glucuronide. Glucuronides are typically more water-soluble than their parent compounds, facilitating their excretion from the body through urine or bile.

Through this process, undesirable compounds (drugs, hormones, toxins) become more water-soluble and are more easily excreted from the body, primarily through the kidneys and bile ducts. This is an important mechanism for detoxification and regulation of various substances in the body.

How calcium D-glucarate affects the body?

Calcium D-glucarate can affect the body in several ways:

Body detoxification. Suppression of beta-glucuronidase can accelerate the elimination of toxic substances, as demonstrated in animal models. However, human studies are limited.[1]

Cancer prevention. In studies on mice and rats, D-glucarate reduced tumor formation in breast, colon, skin, lung, and liver cancers. [1,17]Initial data in humans are limited and insufficient to support definitive recommendations.

Estrogen hormone regulation. Animal studies have shown a reduction in estradiol levels by approximately 23% at high doses of D-glucarate. [18,19]Some preliminary clinical observations indicate that the combination of DIM + D-glucarate improves estrogen metabolism in women after 28 days. [19] By improving estrogen excretion, D-glucarate may support hormonal balance, which can be helpful in disorders such as PMS and PCOS. Clinical data in this area are preliminary.

Lowering cholesterol levels. Calcium D-glucarate supplementation may be considered to support cardiovascular health, especially in individuals with elevated cholesterol levels. Calcium D-glucarate may contribute to lowering LDL cholesterol (the so-called "bad" cholesterol) and supporting vascular health.[20]

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In vitro and animal studies have demonstrated reduced proinflammatory cytokines, increased IL-10, and protection against oxidative stress, for example in diabetic models.[21]

What do animal studies show?

Model studies in rats and mice confirm the potent effects of calcium d-glucarate: a single dose of 4.5 mmol/kg reduced beta-glucuronidase activity in serum by ~57%, in the liver by ~44%, and in the intestine by ~39%.[1,20]

Long-term administration of calcium d-glucarate (4% of the diet) reduced bacterial enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract by up to 70% in the small intestine and 54% in the colon.[1,20]

In a mouse model of skin cancer (DMBA), D-glucarate inhibited tumor growth by affecting key apoptotic mechanisms: it unblocked caspases and inhibited Bcl-2 and mutant-p53, leading to increased tumor cell death.[1,2,20]

In a mouse model of induced lung cancer, D-glucarate administration led to decreased levels of proinflammatory IL-12p70 following exposure to benzo[a]pyrene, increased IL-10, and enhanced tumor cell apoptosis.[1,2,20]

In a rat model of breast cancer, a diet containing calcium d glucarate reduced disease incidence by 18–50%, depending on the phase, increased latency, and reduced tumor number.[1,20]

Summary

Calcium D-glucarate is a natural supplement that can support the body's detoxification process, supporting liver function and hormonal balance, particularly in the context of estrogen metabolism.

Animal studies have shown promising detoxification, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. Furthermore, its effects on hormone metabolism and cholesterol levels in humans also appear promising, although this requires confirmation in larger, controlled clinical trials.