About CDG
The calcium salt of D-glucaric acid. Metabolized to D-glucaro-1,4-lactone, which inhibits beta-glucuronidase — an enzyme that reverses Phase II glucuronidation in the liver. By inhibiting this enzyme, CDG theoretically supports elimination of glucuronidated compounds including estrogen metabolites and environmental toxins. Despite a sound mechanistic rationale, human clinical evidence is virtually nonexistent — no published RCTs or meta-analyses. Most cited studies (tumor reduction, cholesterol lowering) are in rats/mice using D-glucaric acid. This is NOT a calcium supplement — the calcium is merely the salt form. Should not be confused with or scored as elemental calcium.
What CDG supports
- Supports Phase II liver detoxification (preclinical evidence)
- May support estrogen metabolism via beta-glucuronidase inhibition
How much CDG to take
The RDA prevents deficiency. The effective range is what clinical trials used to actually move the outcome.
Effective
200–1500
mg
200–1500 mg/day in supplements. Dose ranges extrapolated from animal studies — no human dose-finding trials exist.
Clinical evidence
Limited clinical evidence. Taken for liver detox and estrogen metabolism support; sound mechanistic rationale (beta-glucuronidase inhibition) but virtually no human RCTs
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