D-glucarate is another name for calcium D-glucarate, a dietary supplement used to treat hormonal imbalances and to prevent certain types of cancer. Because D-glucarate may help lower excess estrogen and testosterone levels, it is used by alternative medicine practitioners to help control acne. D-glucarate supplements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a reliable method for treating any medical problems; speak to your doctor before using the compound for your acne condition.
D-Glucarate
D-glucarate, which aside from calcium glucarate is also sometimes referred to as calcio D-glucarato, is a compound made up of the calclum salt of D-glucaric acid. Glucaric acid can either be synthesized within the body -- a process known as glucuronidation -- or can be acquired by consuming fruits like apples and oranges and cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. Supplementation with calcium d-glucarate is used as a natural treatment for hormone-dependent cancers like prostate or breast cancer since it may work within the body to control sex hormone levels. D-glucarate is also believed to help stimulate the liver's ability to clear toxins and steroid hormones from the bloodstream and body tissues.
D-Glucarate for Acne
According to the Mayo Clinic, an imbalance, or excess, of certain hormones such as estrogen or testosterone may contribute to the development of the increased skin oil production that causes acne. On his site, herbalist Rowan Hamilton explains that high amounts of hormones can cause the glands that produce the skin oil, called sebum, to undergo changes that result in blocking the regular flow of sebum. Bacteria flourishes in the backed-up sebum and acne develops. Hamilton contends that supplements of d-glucarate can effectively treat acne by dealing with the hormonal imbalance that is the underlying cause of acne.
Recommended Dosage
Manufacturers recommend using amounts between 200 to 3,000 mg of d-glucarate daily; however, there have not been sufficient clinical trials of the supplement's use as a treatment for acne to confirm that this dosage amount is appropriate for hormone-based skin problems. If you are interested in using d-glucarate for acne, speak to your doctor first.
Side Effects
No adverse symptoms are directly connected to d-glucarate use; however, pregnant and nursing women are advised to avoid using the supplements. In addition, d-glucarate may interfere with the action of some medications, including the antibiotic kanamycin and drugs metabolized by the liver, such as acetominophen, digoxin, diazepam, atorvastatin, lorazepam and morphine.
Considerations
D-glucarate supplements are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration -- because of this, any capsules or tablets containing the compound that you may purchase have not been monitored or regulated for safety, purity or effectiveness, all the more reason to consult with a medical professional before purchasing or using any of them.
