As we age, our hormone levels naturally fluctuate, impacting our health in various ways. Estrogen is an essential hormone for both men and women, influencing mood, energy, metabolism, bone health, and brain function. When estrogen levels become unbalanced—whether too high or too low—it can lead to a range of health concerns. While estrogen imbalances are often associated with women, particularly around menopause, it’s important to understand that estrogen affects men, too. Therefore, maintaining optimal hormone balance is a priority for any person’s overall well-being.
Why Does Estrogen Get Out of Balance?
Estrogen plays a significant role in the body, influencing the reproductive system and things like bone health, heart health, and brain function. However, a build-up of excess estrogen can result in health concerns. For women, estrogen is primarily produced in the ovaries, whereas for men, smaller amounts are mainly made in the tissue through the conversion of testosterone. The body produces three types of estrogen: Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), and Estriol (E3). Of the three forms, Estradiol (E2) is the most prevalent and potent. Elevated levels of estradiol can contribute to estrogen dominance, a condition that increases the risk of hormone-related health issues. For women, Estrone (E1) can also pose risks, particularly around menopause, when it transitions into the dominant form of estrogen [i].
Additional estrogen intake through diet, medications, or environment can complicate matters further. For example, standard forms of contraceptives (i.e., birth control pills) often introduce the body to synthetic estrogens [ii]. Furthermore, some foods contain phytoestrogens— natural compounds found in plants and foods like soy, flaxseeds, hops, and dairy that have a similar chemical structure to estrogen [iii]. Lastly, pesticides, preservatives, and certain plastics can lead to the absorption of xenoestrogens—chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body [iv].
In order to maintain a healthy hormone balance, these various forms of estrogen need to be effectively metabolized and excreted to avoid accumulation. This process happens in the liver, where estrogen is broken down, deactivated, and made ready for elimination through urine or bile. However, there is a problem: certain gut bacteria in our body like to disrupt this process, resulting in the broken-down estrogen getting reabsorbed into the bloodstream. This form of reactivation means that the already depleted estrogen get recirculated back into an active free form, creating a build-up and causing potential health concerns.
The Removal of Excess Estrogen With the Help of D-Glucarate
One primary way estrogen removal happens is through one of the body’s natural detoxification pathways, glucuronidation. This pathway works by taking estrogen and binding it with water-soluble compounds to conjugate a lipophilic form that can readily be excreted. Glucuronidation not only helps remove excess estrogen but also helps the liver eliminate chemicals, xenobiotics, and toxins [v, vi]. Pharmacokinetic data demonstrates that up to seventy-five percent of xenobiotics elimination, including most of the clinically used drugs and over-the-counter medications are removed through the glucuronidation pathway [vii].
Interestingly, our gut health is closely tied to hormone balance. Key bacteria in our gut can influence how well the body processes and eliminates estrogen [viii, ix]. Some gut bacteria produce β-glucuronidase— an enzyme that disrupts the detoxification process by breaking up the deactivated estrogen bond, causing estrogen to reabsorb back into the body [x]. Studies of women show that about 65% of E2, [xi] 48% of E1, and 23% of E3 [xii, xiii] are deconjugated estrogens which are then reabsorbed. When estrogens are deconjugated, the free-form estrogen will regain biological activity. In free form, it can combine with estrogen receptors all over the body [xiv], leading to estrogen-dominant-related symptoms.
Lucky for us, there is a good solution in supplementing with D-Glucarate— a potent β-glucuronidase inhibitor. D-Glucarate fortifies our detoxification pathways by reducing the β-glucuronidase enzyme’s activity [xv]. By inhibiting this enzyme, D-Glucarate helps the deactivated estrogen maintain its conjugated form so that it is effectively eliminated from the body, not reactivated or recycled back into the bloodstream. This positive change in hormone balance can provide significant quality-of-life improvements for our overall well-being.
Practical Benefits of D-Glucarate
Incorporating D-Glucarate into your diet or supplement routine may offer several benefits for overall well-being:
- Supports Healthy Aging: D-Glucarate can help improve liver, prostate, and breast health, which is crucial as we age.
- Balances Hormone Levels: Helps regulate estrogen, preventing hormonal imbalances that can affect mood, energy, and metabolism.
- Improves Detoxification: Aids the liver in eliminating excess estrogen and other toxins, supporting the body’s natural detox processes.
- Boosts Immune Health: Fortifies the liver and helps remove harmful compounds that can cause an immune response.
Preventium® Glucarate by AFS: A Reliable Source for Hormonal Support
Preventium® Glucarate, a proprietary ingredient from Applied Food Sciences (AFS), offers a potent form of D-Glucarate for both supplement and beverage formulations. Available as Calcium D-Glucarate (CDG) and Potassium Hydrogen-Glucarate (PHG), this ingredient provides flexibility in formulation, whether for dietary supplements, functional foods, or functional beverages.
- Potassium Hydrogen Glucarate (PHG): Fully soluble in water, making it ideal for beverage applications focused on wellness and detox.
- Calcium D-Glucarate (CDG): A slow-release form ideal for supplements, offering prolonged support for hormone balance and detoxification.
Dosage and Applications
Numerous clinical studies recommend a serving size of 1 gram of Preventium® Glucarate for effective hormone balancing. Oral administration of 1 gram of d-glucarate showed that subjects brought their estradiol levels down 56% compared to the placebo [xvi]. Similar research supported this, showing that D-Glucarate produced a 50% reduction in β-glucuronidase activity and a total reduction of blood estradiol concentration by 23% [xvii]. While some glucarate is naturally found in many fruits and vegetables, we don’t nearly get enough of it. 500 mg of Preventium® would equate to the active equivalent of 225 servings of broccoli or 177 servings of apples —showcasing its power to enhance the body’s detox capacity.
Conclusion: Hormonal Balance for Better Health
Whether you are aiming to improve healthy aging, boost detoxification, or maintain optimal hormone balance, D-Glucarate provides an effective solution. Preventium® Glucarate offers a convenient way to incorporate this powerful ingredient into everyday wellness routines, supporting overall hormonal health for both men and women. With its ability to aid estrogen detoxification and balance, it serves as a critical tool for maintaining energy, mood, and metabolic health across all stages of life. Inquire today to get a sample of this ingredient for your next product formulation.
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