Calcium D-Glucarate
- Our bodies can convert calcium D-glucarate (CDG) into d-glucaric acid, a natural substance produced by all mammals. Taken orally, calcium D-glucarate inhibits beta-glucuronidase, allowing toxins to be removed from the body.
- Your liver filters toxins from various sources, impacting your energy and performance. Calcium D-glucarate can support this process, preventing toxins from disrupting your well-being.
- Calcium D-gluconate supplementation may offer other benefits such as reducing excess estrogen and offering support to combat fatigue, brain fog and digestive distress caused by toxin buildup.
Your liver works hard for you. Even if you follow a sober lifestyle, the toxins you inadvertently breathe, eat, drink and even slather on your skin are a burden on your liver. This can start to take its toll on your energy and performance over time. Environmental toxins can even disrupt your hormone balance, making it hard to lose fat.[1]
As for its role, your liver is always filtering toxins. But there are some things you can do to support this process, like supplementing your everyday diet with calcium D-glucarate by way of capsules or foods like apples, oranges, and cauliflower.[2] Despite having “calcium” in its name, calcium D-glucarate only contains around 9 percent of calcium—not enough to replace a calcium supplement. Its health benefits, however, are vital to your overall well-being and bodily function.
Read on to explore the different ways calcium D-glucarate may benefit your health, including decreasing LDL cholesterol and removing toxins and excess estrogen. The latter can negatively impact people currently or formerly suffering from obesity.[3]
How the Body Gets Rid of Toxins
One of the ways the body gets rid of toxins is through a process called conjugation.[4] During conjugation, toxins are packaged into water-soluble compounds called glucuronides.[5] Being water-soluble, glucuronides can be eliminated through the feces or the urine. However, high levels of an enzyme called ta-glucuronidase can inhibit this process.[6] This enzyme separates toxins from their conjugate bond and allows them to be reabsorbed. This allows toxins to keep circulating in the body, which can lead to fatigue, brain fog, digestive discomfort and more.[7]
Oral calcium D-glucarate may help to prevent beta-glucuronide from disturbing the conjugation process.[8] 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 may inhibit beta-glucuronidase which allows toxins to be removed.
Calcium D-Glucarate Benefits
Calcium D-glucarate is a supplement form of D-glucaric acid, a natural substance produced by all mammals, including humans.[9] Small amounts are also found in fruits and vegetables. Early humans were able to get enough D-glucaric acid from their own production since they ate relatively low amounts of toxins and lived in a clean environment. As toxin exposure has increased, humans may need more to help excrete the extra toxins.
There is no technical deficiency of D-glucaric acid because it is not essential. However, humans produce small amounts, so it’s easy to not have as much as you might need for optimal well-being.
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Liver Support
When taken orally, calcium D-glucarate is metabolized into glucaric acid. This is the active form of calcium D-glucarate and the one produced naturally by the body.[10] Glucaric acid inhibits the activity of beta-glucuronidase, helping to maintain the integrity of the liver’s toxin elimination process.[11] Glucaric acid is not available as a supplement by itself which is why you must take a calcium D-glucarate supplement to experience these benefits.
Hormone Support
High levels of beta-glucuronidase increase the level of circulating unconjugated estrogen.[12] This means estrogen that would have been excreted is now able to bind to more receptors. This can cause increased tissue growth and inability to lose stubborn fat.
High estrogen can also cause health-related issues for males. But whether you’re a man or woman, calcium D-glucarate may help maintain proper hormone balance.
Calcium D-Glucarate Dosage and Possible Side Effects
There is no standard dose of calcium D-glucarate. It is usually suggested to take 200 to 500 mg, 2-3 times per day. People with high estrogen may benefit from taking as much as 1,500 to 3,000 mg per day (divided into smaller doses throughout the day). However, common dosage amounts are based on animal studies and not further researched, so it is hard to give an accurate dosage that may work for humans. The best time to take calcium D-glucarate is up to personal preference and what works best with your schedule.
The tolerance of calcium D-glucarate was observed to be high, and no side effects were reported in preliminary studies. However, possible side effects of calcium intake include irregular heartbeat, nausea, constipation, weakness, drowsiness, headache, dry mouth, metallic taste, muscle pain and bone pain. Additionally, glucaric acid supplements may interact with alcohol and certain medications that target the liver, like statins, so it’s crucial to consult your licensed healthcare provider before introducing a new supplement to your routine. If you notice any adverse reactions, seek immediate advice from your healthcare provider.