Detoxifying the Body
In Lessons from the Miracle Doctors, I cover the liver in some detail, describing how it detoxifies the body. The main process that it uses for doing this is called conjugation – – literally combining toxins with other substances to neutralize them or prepare them for elimination.
- This can be the combining of proteins with vitamin isolates (as found in most supplements) to detoxify them and make them usable by the cells of the body.
- The combining of glutathione with harmful substances such as nicotine to neutralize their toxic effect.
- The combining of glucoronic acid with carcinogens such as synthetic estrogens in a process called glucuronidation (the main focus of this newsletter) whereby toxins are literally “washed” from the body.
Glucuronidation
Glucuronidation enables the body to rid itself of foreign elements including xenoestrogens, pollutants, toxins, and carcinogens. Glucuronidation is literally a process in which glucuronic acid is conjugated (joined) to various toxins in the liver so that they can be excreted through the bile or urine. It represents one of the major pathways for the body to rid itself of foreign substances and is responsible for removing a number of highly toxic chemicals from our system, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, steroid hormones, nitrosamines, heterocyclic amines, aromatic amines, and fungal toxins. It also removes “used” hormones and synthetic hormones from the body. Glucuronidation, then, represents a major means of converting most drugs, steroids, and many toxic and “environmental” substances to metabolites that can be excreted into the urine or bile. The bottom line is that glucuronidation is one of the main ways the body purges itself of carcinogenic substances.
In times past, glucuronidation was sufficient to protect us from cancer. Two things have changed in the last hundred years that contribute significantly to the increase in the incidence of cancer we now see.
- We are exposed to far more carcinogens in our food supply, water, and air than ever before. (For example, there are over 2,000 known carcinogens just in the average drinking water in the United States today.)
- Thanks to changes in diet and the overuse of antibiotics in medicine and our food supply, the levels of the enzyme called beta-glucuronidase are much much higher in our bodies than ever before.
Beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme produced by E. Coli bacteria in the gut. Glucuronidase literally breaks the bond between the toxic compounds the body is trying to eliminate and the glucuronic acid that is responsible for eliminating them. When beta-glucuronidase breaks the bond, the hormone or toxin is once again released into the body instead of being excreted. Elevated glucuronidase activity is associated with an increased risk for various cancers, particularly hormone-dependent cancers like breast, prostate, and colon cancers.
Can we reduce our exposure to beta glucuronidase? Absolutely.
Taking probiotic supplements can dramatically reduce the number of beta-glucuronidase-producing bacteria in the gut. A diet that reduces red meat to less than 3 ounces a day and emphasizes plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and fermented foods containing live organisms also promotes a healthy population of friendly bacteria and a significant reduction in E. Coli populations.
Calcium D-Glucarate For Detoxification
And there is another way. Calcium D-Glucarate (a calcium salt found in foods such as apples, grapefruit, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, lettuce, and alfalfa) suppresses beta-glucuronidase and restores the glucuronidation detoxification pathway. The beauty of Calcium D-Glucarate is that not only does it neutralize the effects of beta-glucuronidase, but it actually strengthens the bond between glucuronic acid and the cancer-causing toxins that are being flushed from the body.
Since the activity of glucuronidase is inhibited when we supplement with D-Glucarate, the body is better able to get rid of the various toxic chemicals and excess hormones that might stimulate tumor formation. Studies in animals have shown that supplementing with D-Glucarate blocked tumor formation in over 70% of the animals tested, and this has been confirmed in studies with human tumor cells. The bottom line is that D-Glucarate lowers the level of glucuronidase, and in so doing allows the body to eliminate harmful carcinogens thereby stopping many tumors, including those of the colon, lungs, liver, breast, skin, and prostate from ever forming. In addition, studies have shown that D-Glucarate can actually shrink those tumors even if they are already well developed.
By supplementing the diet with D-Glucarate, we can block glucuronidase activity, and the body can rid itself of carcinogens, thus inhibiting the onset of many forms of cancer, including lung, breast, prostate, and colon.
Since the effect of a single low dose can last for hours, manufacturers recommend a daily intake of 400 to 600 mg of D-Glucarate split between two doses, morning and evening. Higher amounts (1,000 to 2,000 mg per day) are typically recommended for individuals with existing cancer. (Note: D-Glucarate is widely available in health food stores and over the internet.)
And remember. Supplementing with D-Glucarate is not a magic bullet. It is merely a piece of the puzzle. It is vital that you rebuild the beneficial bacteria in your colon through dietary changes, colon cleansing and detoxification, and supplementation with a good probiotic, thereby reducing the amount of beta-glucuronidase in your intestinal tract.
And most important of all, it is vital that you optimize the efficiency of your liver, the main detoxifier in your body — which means doing a liver and blood detox at least twice a year as part of your normal “health-maintenance” program.
I have Gilbert's
I have Gilbert’s syndrome-which I understand to be caused by low production of glucuronic acid in my liver. I’m occasionally jaundiced, have stomach problems, dry skin, sometimes a lack sufficient energy and fall into depression from time to time. Would taking calcium d-glucarate help with this and if so, how much? I also read in a natural medicine encyclopedia that limonene, cyseine, choline, betaine and foods with sulfur in them such as red peppers, garlic, onions, broccoli, legumes, brussel sprouts, nuts and seeds all help along with 6 glasses of water a day. Do you agree? What else might help to manage this condition?
Thanks,
yes, calcium d'glucarate
yes, calcium d’glucarate overcomes the chronic fatigue caused by a genetic defect(Gilbert’s syndrome)that reduces a part of phase II liver detox capibilites.The liver normally produces calcium d’glucarate but in Gilbert’s patients, the capability is reduced. I am able to work at construction thanks to daily supplementation of calcium d’glucarate. I am not happy that new health canada regulations will not be allowing its manufacture.
I have been taking calcium d
I have been taking calcium d-glucarate for years to combat the genetic deficiency of second phase detoxification problems associated with full blown Gilbert’s disease….also known as chronic fatique….within half an hour of taking it my head is clearer and my energy level revitalized. The chemical actually reverses the problem.
So your GS is essential
So your GS is essential healed when taking Cal D G? What other things do you do. I feel toxic sluggish even when taking phase 2 taurine. Glycine.
I am having severe hormone
I am having severe hormone deficiency issues. I will see my thyroid physician in a couple of days for the second time. I was reading about D-glucarate and wondering if it will help me with this issue. Also, about 4 days ago my breasts seemed swollen, and my nipples became very red, swollen and very sore. During this time, these symptoms would lessen for awhile, and then come back. Today they are still sore when I touch and press on them, however, they are nothing as they were. In feeling my breast, it feels very full inside right now, and some soreness in the deep tissue around the outer areas of the breasts. Is there a name for this? Inflammation? What else could this be. I have never had this trouble prior to now. It has been several years since my last mammogram. However, I will be getting a Thermography exam this time. What do you think would help my condition? Would any of your treatments? PLEASE HELP ME! I am somewhat afraid at this point. Thank you for listening to my condition and my plea.
Also, see the website of Dr. Lara Briden for women’s hormones.
I would love a reply to this
I would love a reply to this please:.. I was having breast tenderness and what I am sure is xenoestrogens/estrogen dominance symptoms.. I took the calcium d glucarate in the middle of the night and woke up with no more breast tenderness. I was really surprised how fast it worked.. for the following weeks I took it and it really made a difference in the way I was feeling. I am 47 and do supplement with the progesterone cream. When I do this, 3 days in, I start feeling like it is raising my estrogen as well and when that happens the cream stops working. The Calcium d glucarate allowed the progesterone to do it’s job.. Then my period came and I continued to take the calcium d and it caused pains everywhere. I stopped it, unsure if it was the calcium d.. After my period ended and after ovulation I started it up again only to have it cause my entire body to have muscle pains again..
my question is, is it possible this is detoxifying my own bodies natural estrogen. Creating low estrogen.. I was under the impression that this product only detoxified foreign estrogens. What was occurring/causing the pains.
Rhonda
Calcium-D-Glucarate key role
Calcium-D-Glucarate key role is in liver detoxification, specifically where it increases the efficiency of phase II of the liver detoxification process. In phase II, pollutants, hormones, and other lipid-soluble toxins are conjugated with glucuronic acid in the liver in a process called glucuronidation before being excreted. Calcium-D-Glucarate ensures the efficiency of this process by inhibiting the enzyme beta-glucuronidase which works to counter excretion by reabsorption of toxins back into the body. Calcium-D-Glucarate is therefore an important natural supplement to aid in the bodily processes of detoxification and excretion of excess estrogen and any other fat soluble toxins.
Pain is not usually associated with its use, but you can always try cutting way back on your dosage to the point where you have no pain, and then rebuilding your dosage slowly.
Where are the answers to
Where are the answers to these questions?? I am especially interested in the question “Rhonda” submitted.
We actually answered Rhonda’s
We actually answered Rhonda’s question, see our response above posted on July 8, 2013 – 1:39pm.
A large corpus of studies
A large corpus of studies show that supplementing with calcium can damage many parts of your body, as most in the Western world already suffer from calcium excess. Is there any other mineral salts that contain D-Glucarate, besides a calcium salt? This is proved by Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis tests, which show a massive excess of calcium in most people, leading to decreased adrenal function to preserve magnesium.That cascade leads to a whole variety of other problems down the road.
As Jon has explained many
As Jon has explained many times, he is not a fan of calcium supplementation. But calcium D-glucarate and calcium are not the same thing. D-clucarate is actually a form of glucaric acid. Although calcium D-glucarate contains calcium, it is not a good source of calcium. The body uses it differently. Upon ingestion and exposure to the acidic environment of the stomach, calcium-D-Glucarate is metabolized to form D-glucaric acid. You might find this link useful. http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/calcium-glucarate.
Can you take Calcium D Glucarate while on Tamoxifen for E+ Breast cancer? Thanks