Calcium D-Glucarate and Estrogen Dominance
Calcium D-glucarate is a supplement that your body converts to glucaric acid, an active chemical in your gut that helps to support liver function. When your body is in balance and optimum health it is possible to get enough gluaric acid in your diet. It is found in bean sprouts, lettuces, kale, broccoli, cabbage, grapes, oranges tomatoes and cherries. Now if your body is under functioning like if you have estrogen dominance or adrenal fatigue you simply can’t get enough from diet alone. When glucaric acid is bound to calcium as in the supplement form, it allows your body to absorb it and process it efficiently.
How does it work?
Calcium D-glucarate inhibits the enzyme beta-glucaronidase which reactivates neutralized hormones released from the liver through bile, that then passes into the intestine. Calcium D-glucarate ensures that the hormone stays neutralized, is excreted from the body, and not continually reabsorbed. In a healthy body these two are harmoniously balanced. In cases like adrenal fatigue the imbalance begins, and continual reabsorption of hormones only puts more stress on the liver, adding even more stress to the entire body. Then of course hormonal imbalance, estrogen dominance, is increased. In these cases supplementation is recommended.
Calcium D-Glucarate and the liver
The liver is the body’s natural cleanser and detoxifer. It has two phases to cleanse the body: Phase I and Phase II.
The phase II pathway of liver detoxification involves conjunction of a hormone or fat soluble substance. The conjugation of the hormone neutralizes it, combines with bile, and is then sent through the intestine to be excreted. Excess estrogen is processed through phase II. Any type of liver damage, or an illness that affects the liver’s functioning, disrupts the effective breakdown of estrogen.
Calcium D-glucarate is important because it helps ensure the estrogen marked for excretion actually leaves the body. Without sufficient levels of this nutrient the neutralized hormone can be activated and reabsorbed in the body. The liver then has to work again on clearing the hormone, which strains the liver.
How much Calcium D-glucarate for estrogen dominance?
Calcium D-glucarate is one of the most effective remedies for estrogen dominance. This is a very common condition that affects the health of women all over the world. If you suffer from unexplained weight gain, mood swings, fluid retention, lumpy breasts, sugar cravings, abnormal periods or other hormonal issues, then this may be the reason.
The amount to supplement changes individually, as we all have different body chemistry. It can also interact with other medications, so must only be taken under the care and advice of a Naturopath. As a general guide ¼ teaspoon taken twice a day in water. The amount may be increased to a ½ or ¾ of a tsp if there is no negative impact to your health.
Calcium D-glucarate and Estrogen Dominance
It is important to understand estrogen dominance refers to increased levels of estrogen as compared to progesterone. It does not simply signify an increase in the absolute amount of estrogen in your body. In a healthy balanced body, estrogen functions as a growth hormone and progesterone and inhibitory hormone. This means that while estrogen works to turn functions on, progesterone is the controlling hormone that determines whether an action is sufficient and turns it off. For those with estrogen dominance, there is not enough progesterone to counter estrogen’s effects on the body. In short, or mild mid cases of estrogen dominance, the body can compensate by increasing the amount of progesterone created and clearing excess estrogen through the liver.
In today’s world though, the body is constantly exposed to estrogen through xenoestrogens. These chemicals are not chemically the same as estrogen, but they are similar. The body even uses these xenoestrogens. They can be found in food, hygiene products and the environment. The liver is now responsible for the breakdown of estrogens and xenoestrogens and is then stressed out even more.
Estrogen dominance often goes hand in hand with Adrenal Fatigue. The adrenals are the main anti-stress center of the body. They have many functions, one of which is to activate cortisol. Adrenal Fatigue is the result of a constant demand for cortisol, the main anti-stress hormone, well beyond the glands’ ability to produce it. All hormones in the adrenals are made from cholesterol, which is then converted into pregnenolone. Pregnenolone leads to two paths, one is DHEA that creates the sex hormones, the other is progesterone which can be used to create cortisol – the anti-stress hormone.
In the initial stages of Adrenal Fatigue, there is a high demand for cortisol, so all the pregnenolone that would have become and used as progesterone, is now used to create cortisol. Because of this progesterone levels decrease and estrogen levels rise. As the Adrenal Fatigue progresses, cortisol output eventually peaks and then drops. Estrogen dominance continues or worsens.
Managing Estrogen Levels.
Estrogen levels are best managed through a multi step approach. It is important to look at the diet, increase liver function and detoxification, as well as introduce supplementation like Calcium D-glucarate. For more info or to order contact Jessica on 0419871259 or jess@advancedthermography.com.au