Scientific Name: Glucaric acid
Other Names: Calcium D-Glucarate, Calcium Glucarate, D-glucarate, D-glucaro-1,4-lactone

Who is this for?

Uses

Because it is thought to hasten the elimination of potentially harmful substances from the body, oral glucaric acid has been promoted for preventing cancer. Calcium d-glucarate is a form of glucaric acid that has combined with calcium. Calcium d-glucarate is known to decrease the amounts of an enzyme that is believed to be associated with certain cancers--particularly cancers of the breast, colon, and prostate. Additionally, glucaric acid interferes with the reabsorption of estrogen from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. As a result, more estrogen is eliminated and less stays in the blood. High estrogen levels have been associated with the development and growth of breast, colon, and prostate cancers.

Applying glucaric acid to the skin has decreased the size of chemically induced skin tumors in a study of laboratory mice. While other studies of laboratory animals seem to confirm these anti-cancer effects for glucaric acid, few studies have been conducted in humans. Furthermore, the doses of glucaric acid given to laboratory animals were quite large; equivalent human doses may be impractical. More research is needed before glucaric acid can be recommended for the prevention or treatment of cancer.

Preliminary results from laboratory studies and a few small human studies may associate glucaric acid with other potential positive effects. In studies of laboratory animals, bad types of cholesterol--total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and triglycerides--were all reduced by glucaric acid, which is believed to trap and eliminate bile acids. Since the body needs bile to digest fats, any bile that is lost must be replaced. Cholesterol is a major component of bile, so more cholesterol may be used to produce adequate bile supplies. In separate studies, kidney damage caused by certain antibiotics was prevented or limited in laboratory animals that had been given glucaric acid. The exact ways in which glucaric acid may produce kidney-protective effects are not understood completely. Both of these potential uses of glucaric acid require much more study.

Precautions

Not enough is known about how glucaric acid or calcium d-glucarate might affect a developing baby or an infant, so its use is not recommended while pregnant or breastfeeding.

What side effects should I watch for?

No side effects have been associated with using glucaric acid. Since few reliable studies of its use have been conducted in humans, however, it may have side effects that are not yet known. Individuals who experience unexplained side effects while taking glucaric acid should stop taking it and tell a doctor or pharmacist about the side effects.

What interactions should I watch for?

Because it is broken down by certain enzymes in the liver, glucaric acid may possibly interfere with the use of prescription drugs that are processed by the same enzymes. Some of these drugs are:

• diflunisal
• ketoprofen
• lamotrigine
• lorazepam
• morphine

In a research study, drinking alcohol seemed to increase the elimination of calcium d-glucarate from the body. No serious results were seen, but the effects of supplemental glucaric acid may be decreased or erased if alcohol is used at the same time.

Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how glucaric acid interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.

Should I take it?

Glucaric acid is a chemical made by the body and also consumed in foods--primarily fruits and vegetables. Apples, bean sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, grapefruits, oranges, potatoes, and spinach are all good natural sources of glucaric acid. It may be added to nutritional products such as high-protein energy drinks. For dietary supplementation, it is combined with calcium to form a salt known as calcium d-glucarate. Salt forms of certain chemicals are more useful to the body. Glucaric acid is believed to help the body eliminate harmful substances and to reduce circulating levels of estrogen. Both these effects may help to protect against the development of breast, colon, and prostate cancers.

Dosage and Administration

As its calcium salt, calcium d-glucarate, glucaric acid is available in capsules and tablets. In chemistry, salts are neutral combinations of an acidic substance with a basic substance. Salt forms of some substances may be easier for the body to use. Although no recommendations for dosing are available in scientific literature, a commonly suggested dose for cancer prevention is 200 mg once a day or twice a day. To treat existing cancers, daily doses of 1,200 mg (1.2 grams) or higher reportedly have been taken without apparent side effects.

Summary

Glucaric acid and its salt, calcium d-glucarate may have some ability to protect against certain cancers by promoting the elimination of estrogen and potentially harmful substances produced in the body. It may also have some effectiveness in lowering cholesterol and reducing kidney damage caused by some antibiotic drugs.

Risks

Although no apparent risks are associated with taking glucaric acid, pregnant and breast-feeding women are advised to avoid it because so little is known about its possible effects.

Side Effects

No side effects have been attributed to taking glucaric acid.

Interactions

Last Revised July 18, 2008

References

Anon. Calcium-D-glucarate. Alternative Medicine Review. 2002;7(4):336-339.

Dwivedi C, Oredipe OA, Barth RF, Downie AA, Webb TE. Effects of the experimental chemopreventative agent, glucarate, on intestinal carcinogenesis in rats. Carcinogenesis. 1989;10(8):1539-1541.

Furuno K, Ando K, Suzuki S, Hirata K. Effect of D-Glucarates on basic antibiotic-induced renal damage in rats. Journal of Antibiotics. (Tokyo). 1976;29(2):187-194.

Hajos P, Berlin I, Intody Z, Tornyossy M, Kaldor A. The effect of oral contraceptives on serum lipids gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and excretion of d-glucaric acid. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology. 1981;19(3):117-23.

HealthNotes, Inc. Calcium D-glucarate. 2002. Available at: http://www.mycustompak.com/healthNotes/Supp/Calcium_D-glucarate.htm Accessed September 23, 2003.

Heerdt AS, Young CW, Borgen PI. Calcium glucarate as a chemopreventive agent in breast cancer. Israeli Journal of Medical Science. 1995;31(2-3):101-105.

Herzberg M, Wiener MH. Increased D-glucaric acid excretion by jaundiced patients. Clinical Chemistry. 1978;24(10):1759-1761.

Jellin JM, Gregory P, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al, eds. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 3rd Edition. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2000.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Online Edition. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2006. Available at: http://www.pharmacistsletter.com/(S(ulqz3s45omt3ag55um4kj345))/home.aspx?li=1&st=1&cs=&s=ND.

Saluk-Juszczak J, Olas B, Nowak P, Staron A, Wachowicz B. Protective effects of D-glucaro-1,4-lactone against oxidative modifications in blood platelets. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. 2008;18(6):422-428.

Singh J, Gupta KP. Calcium glucarate prevents tumor formation in mouse skin. Biomedical and Environmental Sciences. 2003;16(1):9-16.

Singh J, Gupta KP. Induction of apoptosis by calcium D-glucarate in 7,12-dimethyl benz [a] anthracene-exposed mouse skin. Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology. 2007;26(1):63-73.

Tutor-Crespo MJ, Hermida J, Tutor JC. Effect of antiepileptic drugs on the urinary excretion of porphyrins in non-porphyric subjects. Journal of the Pharmacology Sciety. 2005;99(4):323-328.

Verbeeck R, Brunelle F, Meunier C, Lambert D. Drug glucuronidation. Research Themes. The School of Pharmacy Catholic University of Louvain. Brussels, Belgium. 1996. Available at: http://www.md.ucl.ac.be/pharma/plfarbio.doc. Accessed September 23, 2003.

Walaszek Z. Potential use of D-glucaric acid derivatives in cancer prevention. Cancer Letter. 1990;54(1-2):1-8.

Walaszek Z, Szemraj J, Hanausek M, Adams AK, Sherman U. Glucaric acid content of various fruits and vegetables and cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary -glucarate in the rat. Nutrition Research. 1996;6(4):673-681.

Walaszek Z, Szemraj J, Narog M, et al. Metabolism, uptake, and excretion of a D-glucaric acid salt and its potential use in cancer prevention. Cancer Detection and Prevention. 1997;21(2):178-190.

Webb TE, Abou-Issa H, Stromberg PC, Curley RC Jr, Nguyen MH. Mechanism of growth inhibition of mammary carcinomas by glucarate and the glucarate: retinoid combination. Anticancer Research. 1993;13(6A):2095-2099.

Yoshimi N, Walaszek Z, Mori H, Hanausek M, Szemraj J, Slaga TJ. Inhibition of azoxymethane-induced rat colon carcinogenesis by potassium hydrogen D-glucarate. International Journal of Oncology. 2000;16(1):43-48.

Last Revised July 18, 2008

Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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