Does Calcium D-Glucarate Affect Hormones?

Calcium d-glucarate is the calcium salt form of glucaric acid. Although it contains some calcium, it should not be taken as a calcium supplement.

Calcium d-glucarate is made by combining calcium and glucaric acid. It can be found in the body and some fruits and vegetables in the diet. Other names for it include d-glucaric acid salt, calcium glucarate, and calcium D-saccharate.

Calcium d-glucarate has mostly been touted for reducing estrogen levels and reducing the risk of hormone-dependent cancers, but there isn't enough research to support its use.

This article will review what you need to know about calcium d-glucarate.

A woman sitting on a bed with pills and a glass of water in her hand — Getty Images / ljubaphoto

Uses of Calcium D-Glucarate

A healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or healthcare provider, should individualize and vet supplement use. No supplement's intended purpose is to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Calcium d-glucarate is sometimes marketed as helping to prevent or reduce cancer. Animal studies have shown that calcium d-glucarate may slow tumor development. However, only mice and rats have been the subjects of these studies.

Taking calcium d-glucarate supplements by mouth blocks an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase. Elevated beta-glucuronidase is associated with hormone-dependent cancers like breast and prostate cancers. Reducing beta-glucuronidase activity is also thought to protect against liver toxicity.

No human studies support the use of calcium d-glucarate supplements for preventing or treating any health condition, including cancer.

Though calcium d-glucarate does contain some calcium, it is not intended for use as a calcium supplement.

Human vs. Animal Studies

Animal studies are often conducted in non-human species such as mice, rabbits, or rats. Although these studies often help further medical research, animal studies may not accurately predict human reactions or outcomes. Therefore, they are not a sufficient substitute for high-quality clinical trials.

When reading about animal research, it is important not to draw conclusions based on the results. More research is necessary to confirm any results found in animals.

Supplement Safety

There is not enough data to report the potential side effects of taking calcium d-glucarate or any other safety considerations. People who are pregnant or nursing should not take calcium d-glucarate supplements for this reason (nor should children).

Additionally, there is not enough research to provide a recommended dosage for calcium d-glucarate supplements.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. When choosing a supplement, look for third-party-tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.

Does Calcium D-Glucarate Interact With Any Drugs?

If you decide to take a calcium d-glucarate supplement, it's important to be aware of any potential drug interactions.

Drugs broken down by the liver (or glucuronidated) may interact with calcium d-glucarate. Calcium d-glucarate can change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications, which could decrease the effects of the medication.

Carefully read a supplement's ingredient list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included is essential. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss any potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

Can You Get Calcium D-Glucarate in Your Diet?

The body naturally produces calcium d-glucarate in small amounts. However, you can also get it in certain foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and the seeds of certain plants.

Calcium d-glucarate is found in the following foods:

Apples
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Grapefruit
Grapes
Orange
Potatoes
Spinach

A food-first approach is always best when trying to get the nutrients your body needs. A well-balanced, nutritious diet is key to improving and maintaining your overall health.

Summary

Calcium d-glucarate is the calcium salt of d-glucaric acid, which the body produces naturally. It is also found in certain foods, including fruits and vegetables, and marketed as a dietary supplement. Animal research suggests that its supplement form can play a role in cancer prevention, but there is no human data to support this.

If you want to make sure you're getting enough calcium d-glucarate, increase your fruit and vegetable intake. Consuming the right nutrients in your diet can benefit your overall health.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Singh J, Gupta KP. Calcium glucarate prevents tumor formation in mouse skin. Biomed Environ Sci. 2003;16(1):9-16.
National Library of Medicine. Calcium-d-glucarate. Altern Med Rev. 2002;7(4):336-339.
Abou-Issa H, Moeschberger M, el-Masry W, et al. Relative efficacy of glucarate on the initiation and promotion phases of rat mammary carcinogenesis. Anticancer Res. 1995;15(3):805-810.
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(2):83-92. doi:10.1016/0885-4505(90)90012-p
Walaszek Z, Hanausek M, Narog M, et al. Mechanisms of lung cancer chemoprevention by D-glucarate. Chest. 2004;125(5 Suppl):149S-50S.

By Jennifer Lefton, MS, RD/N, CNSC, FAND
Lefton is a registered dietitian/nutritionist and certified nutrition support clinician with over 20 years of experience in clinical nutrition.

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