Calcium D-Glucarate for Detoxification
Calcium D-Glucarate is an interesting little compound that my good friend @ergogenic_health (that’s actually his name) brought to my attention in 2018. Mind you, he had to mention it to me at least 5 times before I decided to try it out. Thanks for the patience Lucas ;)
What does it do?
In short, it improve’s the liver’s ability to detoxify, by enhancing the phase II pathway.
How does it work?
Our body is exposed to both endogenous and exogenous toxins on the daily.
Fortunately, we have inbuilt mechanisms to deal with many of these.
Glucuronidation, a phase II detoxification reaction is one of these mechanisms, to detoxify sex hormones ,such as Estrogen, and phthalates (plastics) among others.
In an ideal setting, during glucuronidation, the body attaches glucuronic acid to the relevant toxin. This combination of glucuronic acid and the toxin is known as a conjugate. The conjugate is then sent from the liver to the bile and then to the intestines for excretion.
Unfortunately, certain microbes in our digestive tract don’t want these Estrogen’s excreted, they want to keep them hanging around so they can use it as a food source. So, as any adaptable organism would do, it finds a way to maintain its food supply. The microbes produce an enzyme known as beta-glucuronidase, which breaks the conjugate apart, preventing the Estrogen from being detoxified, causing reabsorption and recirculation of it. Then the liver has to do all the work again to conjugate it to remove it, further adding to the burden and ATP (energy) usage of this powerhouse organ.
Calcium D-Glucarate inhibits beta-glucuronidase
Thankfully, Calcium D-Glucarate inhibits the beta-glucuronidase enzyme, preventing the reabsorption and recirculation of the toxin, allowing it to be effectively removed.
Calcium D-Glucarate improves bile flow
Thankfully, Calcium D-Glucarate also enhances bile flow, another key component of enhancing detoxification. As mentioned above, the liver dumps conjugated toxins into the bile, which is then pushed into the intestines to be pooped out. Poor bile flow equals poor detoxification.
On top of that, bile acts as a natural laxative. The more regularly you’re pooping, the quicker you’re excreting what needs to be excreted.
Why do i use it?
With my history of heavy metals, mould exposure, Epstein Barr Virus and Lyme disease, looking after my liver, and finding ways to support phase II detoxification is of critical importance and something I’m working with on the daily. I don’t use Calcium D-Glucarate daily, but it’s a great tool to have when I do need it.
Calcium D-Glucarate is found in citrus peel