Everything you need to know

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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 in 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 is mainly touted for lowering estrogen levels and reducing the risk of hormone-dependent cancers, but there isn’t enough research to support its use.

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

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Use of calcium D-glucarate

A healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist or health care provider, should individualize the use of supplements and use them by a veterinarian. The intended purpose of any supplement is not 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 can slow the development of tumors. However, only mice and rats were the subject 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 such as breast and prostate cancer. It is also thought that reducing beta-glucuronidase activity protects against liver toxicity.

There are no human studies supporting the use of calcium d-glucarate supplements for preventing or treating health problems, including cancer.

Although calcium d-glucarate contains some calcium, it is not intended for use as a calcium supplement.

Human versus animal studies

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

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

Safety addition

There are not enough data to report the possible side effects of taking calcium d-glucarate or other safety concerns. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take calcium d-glucarate supplements for this reason (and neither 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 (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.

Does calcium D-glucarate interact with medications?

If you decide to take a calcium d-glucarate supplement, it is important to be aware of possible drug interactions.

Drugs that are broken down (or glucuronidated) by the liver may interact with calcium d-glucarate. Calcium d-glucarate can change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications, which may 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 essential. Discuss 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.

Resume

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 is marketed as a dietary supplement. Animal research shows that the supplement form may play a role in cancer prevention, but there is no human data to support this.

If you want to ensure you get enough calcium d-glucarate, increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Consuming the right nutrients in your diet can benefit your overall health.

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

  1. Singh J, Gupta KP. Calcium glucarate prevents tumor formation in the skin of mice. Biomed Environmental Sci. 2003;16(1):9-16.

  2. National Library of Medicine. Calcium d-glucarate. Altern Med Rev. 2002;7(4):336-339.

  3. Abou-Issa H, Moeschberger M, el-Masry W, et al. Relative efficacy of glucarate on the initiation and promotion phases of mammary carcinogenesis in rats. Anticancer research. 1995;15(3):805-810.

  4. Dwivedi C, Heck WJ, Downie AA, et al. Effect of calcium glucarate on the beta-glucuronidase activity and glucarate content of certain fruits and vegetables. Biochem Med Metab Biol. 1990;43(2):83-92. doi:10.1016/0885-4505(90)90012-p

  5. Walaszek Z, Hanausek M, Narog M, et al. Mechanisms of lung cancer chemoprevention by D-glucarate. Chest. 2004; 125 (5 additions): 149S-50S.


By Jennifer Lefton, MS, RD/N, CNSC, FAND

Jennifer Lefton, MS, RD/N-AP, CNSC, FAND is a registered dietitian/nutritionist and writer with more than 20 years of experience in clinical nutrition. Her experience ranges from counseling cardiac rehabilitation patients to managing the nutritional needs of complex surgical patients.

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