# Calcium Glycerate **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/calcium-glycerate **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-04-04 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Mineral **Also Known As:** Calcium salt of glyceric acid, Calcium 2,3-dihydroxypropanoate, Glyceric acid calcium salt, CAS 52662-29-2 ## Overview Calcium glycerate is a calcium salt of glyceric acid, a three-carbon hydroxy acid derivative, formed when calcium ions bind to glycerate molecules. No clinical evidence currently supports its use as a dietary supplement, and it should not be confused with the better-studied compound calcium glycerophosphate. ## Health Benefits • No specific health benefits documented - no clinical trials or studies found for calcium glycerate • May theoretically provide calcium supplementation - based on chemical structure only, no evidence • Often confused with calcium glycerophosphate - a related compound with limited dental health applications • No proven efficacy for any health condition - absence of human research data • Potential calcium source - theoretical benefit only, no bioavailability data available ## Mechanism of Action Calcium glycerate would theoretically dissociate in the gastrointestinal tract, releasing free calcium ions (Ca²⁺) available for absorption via TRPV6 channels and calbindin-D9k-mediated transcellular transport in the duodenum. The glycerate anion, a metabolite of serine and [glycolysis](/ingredients/condition/weight-management), would enter standard metabolic pathways upon absorption. However, no pharmacokinetic or mechanistic studies specific to calcium glycerate have been conducted in humans or animals to confirm bioavailability or receptor-level interactions. ## Clinical Summary As of the current date, no published randomized controlled trials, observational studies, or preclinical animal studies specifically investigating calcium glycerate as a supplement have been identified in peer-reviewed literature. Its theoretical benefit as a calcium source is inferred solely from the known physiology of [calcium absorption](/ingredients/condition/bone-health), not from direct experimental evidence. It is frequently confused with calcium glycerophosphate, a distinct compound that has limited evidence supporting reduced dental erosion in acidic food contexts. The overall evidence base for calcium glycerate is rated insufficient, and no dosing recommendations can be established. ## Nutritional Profile Calcium glycerate is an inorganic calcium salt formed from glyceric acid and calcium. As a mineral compound, it contains no macronutrients (zero protein, fat, or carbohydrates in functional supplemental doses). Calcium content is estimated at approximately 15-20% elemental calcium by molecular weight (molecular formula approximated as C3H5CaO4), though precise elemental analysis data in published literature is sparse. No vitamins, dietary fiber, or bioactive phytochemicals are present. The glycerate anion (derived from glyceric acid, C3H6O4) is a 3-carbon organic acid metabolite that theoretically participates in glycolytic and gluconeogenic pathways, but no quantified metabolic contribution data exists for the supplemental form. Bioavailability of calcium from this salt is undocumented in human trials; by analogy to other organic calcium salts (e.g., calcium citrate, calcium gluconate), organic calcium salts generally achieve 30-40% intestinal absorption, but this figure cannot be directly applied to calcium glycerate without supporting evidence. No standardized dosage form or concentration data is available in pharmacopeial references. The compound is not listed in major nutritional databases (USDA FoodData Central, EFSA nutrient databases), confirming absence of quantified nutritional profiling data. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosage ranges are available for calcium glycerate as no human trials have been conducted. No standardized forms, extracts, or dosing protocols have been established. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions No formal safety studies, toxicology reports, or adverse event data exist specifically for calcium glycerate in humans. As a calcium-containing compound, it may theoretically carry the general risks of excess calcium intake, including hypercalcemia, nephrolithiasis, and interference with absorption of iron, zinc, and magnesium when co-administered. Calcium salts broadly can reduce absorption of certain medications including tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolones, bisphosphonates, and levothyroxine if taken simultaneously. Pregnancy and lactation safety cannot be assessed due to a complete absence of data. ## Scientific Research No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses were identified for calcium glycerate in the research. The related compound calcium glycerophosphate has one Phase I clinical trial with unspecified indication, but no study details, sample sizes, or outcomes are provided. No PubMed PMIDs are available for calcium glycerate studies. ## Historical & Cultural Context No historical or traditional medicine uses are documented for calcium glycerate, as it appears to be a modern synthetic compound. Unlike many mineral supplements, it has no recorded use in traditional systems like Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine. ## Synergistic Combinations None identified - no synergistic ingredients documented due to lack of research ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is calcium glycerate the same as calcium glycerophosphate? No, these are chemically distinct compounds. Calcium glycerate is a salt of glyceric acid (C3H5O4), while calcium glycerophosphate is a salt of glycerophosphoric acid and contains a phosphate group. Calcium glycerophosphate has been studied for buffering oral acidity and reducing enamel erosion, whereas calcium glycerate has no comparable research record. ### Does calcium glycerate have any proven health benefits? No peer-reviewed clinical trials or animal studies have demonstrated health benefits specific to calcium glycerate. Any theoretical benefit as a calcium supplement is extrapolated from general calcium physiology, specifically Ca²⁺ absorption via intestinal TRPV6 channels, not from direct evidence. Consumers seeking evidence-based calcium supplementation should consider forms like calcium citrate or calcium carbonate, which have established bioavailability data. ### What is the recommended dosage of calcium glycerate? No clinically established or scientifically validated dosage exists for calcium glycerate due to a complete absence of pharmacokinetic or dose-response studies. Unlike calcium carbonate (typically 500–1200 mg elemental calcium daily) or calcium citrate, no regulatory body or research institution has issued dosing guidance for this specific salt. Taking it at any dose carries unknown risk-to-benefit ratios. ### Can calcium glycerate cause kidney stones? There is no direct evidence linking calcium glycerate to nephrolithiasis, but as a calcium-delivering compound it carries the theoretical risk associated with excess calcium intake, particularly in individuals with hypercalciuria or a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones. General guidance from the National Institutes of Health recommends keeping total supplemental calcium intake below 2,500 mg elemental calcium per day to minimize stone risk. Without bioavailability data for calcium glycerate, quantifying this risk is not possible. ### Is calcium glycerate found naturally in food? Calcium glycerate as a discrete compound is not documented as a naturally occurring constituent of common foods. Glyceric acid itself is a metabolite produced endogenously during serine catabolism and glycolysis, and calcium is ubiquitous in dairy, leafy greens, and fortified foods, but the specific salt form calcium glycerate is not identified as a natural dietary component in nutritional databases such as USDA FoodData Central. ### How does calcium glycerate compare to other calcium supplement forms like calcium citrate or calcium carbonate? Calcium glycerate is a chelated form where calcium is bound to glycerate, theoretically offering different absorption characteristics than calcium citrate or calcium carbonate, though no direct clinical comparisons exist in human studies. Calcium carbonate requires stomach acid for absorption and may cause bloating, while calcium citrate is better absorbed on an empty stomach; calcium glycerate's absorption profile remains unvalidated in human research. Without clinical evidence, it is unclear whether calcium glycerate offers practical advantages over well-established forms like citrate or carbonate for calcium supplementation. ### Is calcium glycerate safe to take with common medications like bisphosphonates or thyroid drugs? Calcium supplements in general can interfere with the absorption of bisphosphonates (used for bone health) and thyroid medications by binding to them in the digestive tract, and calcium glycerate would likely carry similar interaction risks as other calcium forms. No specific interaction studies have been conducted on calcium glycerate with these or other medications. Anyone taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before adding any calcium supplement, including calcium glycerate, to avoid potential absorption or efficacy issues. ### What is the difference between calcium glycerate and calcium glycerophosphate in terms of supplement use? While both are chelated calcium compounds, calcium glycerophosphate has been studied for limited dental health applications in some regions, whereas calcium glycerate lacks any published research on human health outcomes. Calcium glycerophosphate contains phosphate in its structure, which may theoretically affect mineral metabolism differently than calcium glycerate, though this distinction has not been clinically validated. For practical supplement purposes, neither compound has established efficacy or clinical evidence supporting their use over conventional calcium sources. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*