A naturally occurring substance called calcium D-glucarate (CDG) has lately come to light due to its potential hormone-related health advantages and usage as a dietary supplement. It comes from a molecule called D-glucaric acid, which is present in naturally in the body and in a number of fruits and vegetables, including apples, grapefruits, oranges, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. The chemistry, physiological processes, health advantages, ideal dose, negative effects, possible drug interactions, and responsible usage of calcium glucarate as a dietary supplement are all covered in this article.
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The Nature of Calcium D-Glucarate
The compound D-glucaric acid, which naturally exists in a numerous fruits and vegetables like apples, oranges, grapefruits, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, is known as calcium D-glucarate (CDG). It is primarily produced from glucaric acid as a dietary supplement.
Calcium D-Glucarate’s ability to facilitate the body’s detoxification process is what makes it so special. A metabolic process called glutcuronidation assists in the body’s removal of potentially hazardous chemicals. Toxins, medications, and certain hormones are made more water-soluble during this process by the action of glucuronic acid, a glucose derivative, making them more easily excreted from the body via urine or bile.
There are two functions for calcium D-glucarate in this mechanism. First off, it serves as a source of the glucuronic acid required for glucuronidation. The enzyme beta-glucuronidase, which may reverse glucuronidation by severing the connection between the molecule it has conjugated with glucuronic acid, is inhibited by CDG. The body’s detoxification process is aided by CDG because it inhibits beta-glucuronidase and encourages the continual excretion of potentially hazardous chemicals.
Additionally, CDG offers a supply of elemental calcium as a calcium salt. However, when compared to the daily required consumption of calcium, the quantity of calcium delivered by conventional CDG doses is very negligible.
In short, calcium D-glucarate’s major function as a dietary supplement is to boost the body’s detoxification system, but it also has the potential to provide numerous secondary health advantages.
Health Benefits of Calcium D-Glucarate
As was already discussed, calcium D-glucarate supports liver function and general health by promoting detoxification via glucuronidation. Those who suffer from liver-related disorders may experience a decreased risk though calcium D-glucarate’s lowering of the toxic load on the liver, improving the removal of potentially dangerous compounds (CDG).
Calcium D-Glucarate has also gained prominence in the cancer research community. A growing body of research points to calcium D-glucarate’s possible chemopreventive abilities. The chance of developing cancer may be decreased by CDG’s promotion of the detoxification and removal of carcinogens, which may lessen their buildup and interaction with DNA. Additionally, CDG has been shown to prevent the growth of several cancer cell lines in vitro, indicating the possibility of its direct anti-cancer activities.
Hormonal-related cancers have also been shown to be positively affected by calcium D-glucarate, which contributes to the preservation of hormonal balance, especially by encouraging the excretion of extra estrogen. CDG may aid in preventing estrogen dominance, which has been related to a number of health problems, including breast cancer, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), by increasing estrogen glucuronidation and excretion.
Calcium D-Glucarate may also help control cholesterol levels by preventing the manufacture of cholesterol and encouraging its excretion, according to extensive research.
Chemistry of Calcium D-Glucarate
D-glucaric acid, which has the molecular formula C6H8O8, is a naturally occurring substance. Calcium D-glucarate is the calcium salt of this substance. D-glucaric acid is a sugar acid that is created when glucose is oxidized. The six-carbon chain that makes up D-glucaric acid’s molecular structure has alternating hydroxyl (-OH) and carboxyl (-COOH) functional groups on all save the first carbon atom. Two molecules of D-glucaric acid interact with one molecule of calcium to generate calcium D-glucarate.
Physiological Mechanisms of Calcium D-Glucarate
Calcium D-Glucarate’s physiological effects are principally attributable to its capacity to control glucuronidation, an important liver detoxification route. Glucuronic acid, a byproduct of glucose metabolism, is conjugated with different endogenous and exogenous chemicals, including hormones, medicines, and toxins, during the phase II detoxification process known as glutcuronidation. By increasing the chemical’s water solubility via conjugation, urine or bile may more easily remove the substance from the body, decreasing the length of time toxins remain present in your body.
In the digestive system, calcium D-glucarate is converted to D-glucaric acid and its derivatives, including D-glucaro-1,4-lactone. These substances prevent the glucuronidase enzyme from cleaving the glucuronide link between the target chemical and glucuronic acid. Calcium D-Glucarate efficiently improves the glucuronidation process and increases the elimination of hazardous compounds, which lowers their potential toxicity, by inhibiting beta-glucuronidase activity.
Optimal Dosage of Calcium D-Glucarate
The normal calcium D-glucarate dosage as a dietary supplement varies from 500 mg to 3000 mg per day, split into two or three doses. The ideal dose, however, may change based on a person’s health, objectives, and tolerance. It is important to speak with a healthcare provider before beginning a program, just as with any supplement.
The risk of adverse effects is generally modest and calcium D-glucarate is well tolerated. Particularly while taking greater dosages, some people may develop moderate gastrointestinal discomfort including bloating or diarrhea.
Regarding possible drug interactions, it is important to remember that since CDG speeds up the glucuronidation process, it is possible that it will have an impact on how certain drugs are metabolized and eliminated. This could affect how well certain medications work. Therefore, before using calcium D-glucarate, those who are taking prescription drugs should talk to a doctor.
Side Effects of Calcium D-Glucarate
Most people handle calcium D-glucarate well and typically have positive experiences with the supplement. However, like with any dietary supplement, there is a chance for adverse effects, even though they are uncommon and often minor.
GI pain is one of the negative effects of calcium D-glucarate consumption that is most often mentioned. Particularly at larger dosages, some people may suffer symptoms including bloating, gas, altered bowel habits, or diarrhea. Usually fleeting, these effects may be controlled by changing the dose or taking the supplement with meals.
Nevertheless, each person’s reaction to supplements is different, and tolerance levels might vary. It is advised to stop using calcium D-glucarate and seek medical advice if adverse effects worsen or continue to concern you. It is always a good idea to start with a smaller dosage and gradually raise it as tolerated, always with a healthcare professional’s supervision.
Potential Substance Interactions of Calcium D-Glucarate
Calcium D-Glucarate may interact with certain drugs and compounds that travel through this metabolic route since it is important in the detoxification process, notably in the glucuronidation pathway.
Your body often uses the process of glutcuronidation to make a variety of compounds more water-soluble and easier to eliminate. The metabolism of various medications, such as several analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), and anticonvulsants, depends on this mechanism.
Calcium D-Glucarate may improve the clearance of compounds that go via glucuronidation by blocking the beta-glucuronidase enzyme, which may have an impact on the therapeutic levels of certain drugs. This indicates that it could lessen the efficiency of these medications by hastening the body’s elimination process.
It is essential to speak with a healthcare professional before beginning calcium D-glucarate for those who are taking prescription drugs, especially those that are processed by glucuronidation, to prevent possible interactions. To ensure safe and efficient usage, it is usually advisable to discuss new supplements with a healthcare provider.
Responsible Use of Calcium D-Glucarate
Although calcium D-glucarate may have some positive health effects, it’s vital to keep in mind that it cannot replace a good diet and active lifestyle. Like any dietary supplements, CDG need to be taken sensibly and as a component of an all-encompassing strategy for health.
Further study is required to completely comprehend the effects of calcium D-glucarate in various populations and health situations due to the complexity of human physiology and the variety in individual reactions to supplements. As usual, speaking with a healthcare provider before beginning a new dietary supplement program is advised.
Calcium D-Glucarate:
Conclusion
Oral consumption of calcium D-glucarate is recorded to have positive effects on the body’s ability to efficiently remove toxins by encouraging increased glucoronidation and reducing the production of beta-glucuronidase. CDG can be a helpful dietary addition for those who are suffering from hormone-related illness and can aid in proper liver function. Using this supplement as directed can immensely alleviate chronic painful periods, which include symptoms like headaches, bloating, and breast tenderness. To see if calcium D-glucarate can offer you some respite from hormonal issues and liver malfunction, connect with your healthcare provider for more details.
References:
- “A Potential Role for Calcium Glucarate as a Chemopreventive Agent in Breast Cancer” from Medscape. Retrieved from: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/408449
- “The Role of Glucuronidation in Drug Metabolism” from Pharmacy Times. Retrieved from: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2010/june2010/druginteractions-0610
- “Calcium D-Glucarate, A Natural Cancer Alternative” from Baseline of Health Foundation. Retrieved from: https://www.jonbarron.org/article/calcium-d-glucarate-anti-cancer-supplement
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
