Overview

Calcium D-glucarate is a supplement that is sometimes used to remove toxins from your body, but the benefits are not well defined. It seems to work by blocking the activity of a natural chemical in your body, known as beta-glucuronidase, which may then help your body remove hormones, medicines, and harmful toxins. Calcium D-glucarate seems to be well tolerated. Before taking calcium D-glucarate, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is calcium D-glucarate used for?

Calcium D-glucarate is commonly used as a detoxifier. Some people may use it as a detoxifier to protect against certain types of cancers, but the benefits of taking calcium D-glucarate are not well defined.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed calcium D-glucarate for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does calcium D-glucarate work (mechanism of action)?

Calcium D-glucarate is a chemical similar to glucaric acid. Glucaric acid is found naturally in the body and in many fruits and vegetables. The highest concentrations of glucaric acid are found in oranges, apples, grapefruit, and cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

Calcium D-glucarate may help your body remove excess hormones and harmful toxins. Normally, your liver helps remove these substances by attaching them to another compound called glucuronic acid (a process known as glucuronidation). This leads to the removal of unwanted hormones and toxins from the body through the digestive tract. However, an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase can prevent this removal and cause these substances to stay in the body longer. Calcium D-glucarate works by reducing the activity of beta-glucuronidase. As a result, unwanted hormones and toxins are more likely to be removed from the body. However, there is no proof that taking calcium D-glucarate treats or prevents cancer.

How should I store calcium D-glucarate?

You should store calcium D-glucarate according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of calcium D-glucarate?

Calcium D-glucarate seems to be well tolerated. But there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of calcium D-glucarate that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of calcium D-glucarate?

While less common, the most serious side effects of calcium D-glucarate are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Calcium D-glucarate may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking calcium D-glucarate and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Precautions

Who should not use calcium D-glucarate?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take calcium D-glucarate.

• Calcium D-glucarate
• Calcium D-saccharate
• Calcium saccharate
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific calcium D-glucarate products they stock.

What should I know about calcium D-glucarate before using it?

Calcium D-glucarate is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep calcium D-glucarate out of the reach of children.

The FDA has not tested calcium D-glucarate products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using calcium D-glucarate?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if calcium D-glucarate is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Cancer or are receiving chemotherapy or radiation, which is a treatment for cancer
• Kidney problems
• Liver problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Calcium D-glucarate may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking calcium D-glucarate, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how calcium D-glucarate could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if calcium D-glucarate passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does calcium D-glucarate interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between calcium D-glucarate and foods or drinks.

Alcohol seems to increase how quickly the body gets rid of calcium D-glucarate. This may decrease the effects of calcium D-glucarate.

Does calcium D-glucarate interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Some medicines are changed and broken down by the liver through the process of glucuronidation. Calcium D-glucarate may affect how quickly the liver processes medicines that are primarily broken down through glucuronidation. This could change the blood levels, effects, and side effects of these medicines. Some examples of medicines that are processed in your body by glucuronidation include the following.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is a medicine used for pain or fever
• Estrogen, which is found in certain pills, patches, creams, rings, or vaginal suppositories
• Morphine, which is a medicine used to treat certain types of pain
• A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which is in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with calcium D-glucarate. Always check with your health care provider.

The interactions between calcium D-glucarate and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with calcium D-glucarate is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking calcium D-glucarate with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much calcium D-glucarate?

If you or someone else has used too much calcium D-glucarate, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Calcium D-glucarate is typically available as a dietary supplement that is taken by mouth. Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to use calcium D-glucarate safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.