Calcium D-glucarate

What does it do? Calcium D-glucarate is the calcium salt of D-glucaric acid, a natural substance found in many fruits and vegetables. Calcium D-glucarate has been shown to inhibit beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme found in certain bacteria that reside in the gut. One of the key ways in which the body eliminates toxic chemicals as well as hormones such as estrogen is by attaching glucuronic acid to them in the liver and then excreting this complex in the bile. Beta-glucuronidase is a bacterial enzyme that uncouples (breaks) the bond between the excreted compound and glucuronic acid. When beta-glucuronidase breaks the bond, the hormone or toxic chemical that is released is available to be reabsorbed into the body instead of being excreted. An elevated beta-glucuronidase activity is associated with an increased risk for various cancers, particularly hormone-dependent cancers like breast, prostate, and colon cancers.¹

Studies in animals have shown that supplementing with calcium D-glucarate prevents the development of experimentally induced cancers.² ³ ⁴ ⁵ The amount of calcium D-glucarate used in these studies, however, would be too much for humans to take. Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and other major cancer centers began conducting research with calcium D-glucarate for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.⁶ ⁷ No human studies showing the efficacy or safety of calcium D-glucarate have been published.

Calcium D-glucarate has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):

Rating	Health Concerns
	Cancer
Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

How much is usually taken? Manufacturers of calcium D-glucarate recommend a daily intake of 200 to 400 mg.

Caution: Cancer is a serious disease. Do not self-medicate with calcium D-glucarate or any other substance without informing your supervising physician. Although preliminary research with calcium D-glucarate is promising, its real value has not been sufficiently determined at this time.

Are there any side effects or interactions? No side effects have been reported with calcium D-glucarate. Although there are no known drug interactions, many drugs (especially hormones) are metabolized in the liver by binding to glucuronic acid. It is therefore possible that taking calcium D-glucarate could increase the elimination of certain drugs or hormones from the body, thereby reducing their effectiveness. If you are taking any prescription medication, please consult your physician or pharmacist before taking calcium D-glucarate.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with calcium D-glucarate.

References:

1. Walaszek Z, Szemraj J, Narog M. Metabolism, uptake, and excretion of a D-glucaric acid salt and its potential use in cancer prevention. Cancer Detect Prev 1997;21:178–90 [review].

2. Walaszek Z, Hanausek-Walaszek M, Minton JP, Webb TE. Dietary glucarate as anti-promoter of 7,12-dimethylbenz [a]anthracene- induced mammary tumorigenesis. Carcinogenesis 1986;7:1463–6.

3. Walaszek Z, Hanausek M, Sherman U, Adams AK. Antiproliferative effect of dietary glucarate on the Sprague-Dawley rat mammary gland. Cancer Lett 1990;49:51–7.

4. Walaszek Z, Hanausek-Walaszek M, Webb TE. Dietary glucarate-mediated reduction of sensitivity of murine strains to chemical carcinogenesis. Cancer Lett 1986;33:25–32.

5. Walaszek Z, Hanausek-Walaszek M, Webb TE. Repression by sustained-release beta-glucuronidase inhibitors of chemical carcinogen-mediated induction of a marker oncofetal protein in rodents. J Toxicol Environ Health 1988;23:15–27.

6. Heerdt AS, Young CW, Borgen PI. Calcium glucarate as a chemopreventive agent in breast cancer. Isr J Med Sci 1995;31:101–5 [review].

7. Walaszek Z, Szemraj J, Narog M. Metabolism, uptake, and excretion of a D-glucaric acid salt and its potential use in cancer prevention. Cancer Detect Prev 1997;21:178–90 [review].

8. Dwivedi C, Heck WJ, Downie AA, et al. Effect of calcium glucarate on beta-glucuronidase activity and glucarate content of certain vegetables and fruits. Biochem Med Metab Biol 1990;43:83–92.

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2003.