Calcium is essential for the health of bones and teeth and for the functioning of certain body systems. Several types of calcium supplements are available, the most common in the forms of calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. One of the more expensive forms is coral calcium, which is purported to have extra benefits. Consult with a qualified health care provider before taking calcium supplements.
Function
Nearly all the body's calcium is in the bones and teeth, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It is required for maintenance of these structures, and also helps prevent loss of bone density, known as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is common in women after menopause and occurs in some older men as well. In addition, calcium has a role in healthy functioning of the heart, central nervous system and muscles.
Recommended Intake
The adequate intake, or AI, of calcium for adults is 1,000 to 1,200mg per day, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Children ages 9 to 18 require 1,300mg per day, while the AI for younger children is 500 to 800mg. Many people don't consume even half the calcium required for proper bone maintenance, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Calcium supplements can help.
Theories/Speculation
Proponents of coral calcium say this form of the mineral is not only superior to calcium carbonate for the commonly known benefits of calcium, but that it provides a treatment or cure for around 200 diseases, some of them serious, according to the University of California at Berkeley Wellness Guide to Dietary Supplements. Coral calcium is claimed effective for treating Alzheimer's disease, cancer, diabetes and lupus, among other illnesses, supposedly by balancing pH levels in the body and increasing alkalinity.
Misconceptions
Manufacturers of coral calcium supplements promote the substance as being derived from the remnants of coral that have detached from coral reefs. However, these coral remnants are basically the original protective shells of coral, which consist primarily of limestone, and limestone is mainly made of calcium carbonate, according to medical doctor Stephen Barrett, M.D., writing at the Quackwatch website. Coral calcium also contains trace amounts of other minerals, such as magnesium. Some coral calcium products may contain lead, notes UC Berkeley.
Considerations
No evidence shows that coral calcium cures or treats any disease, according to UC Berkeley, which calls the claims "marketing hype." In addition, no evidence indicates that coral calcium supplements are better than calcium carbonate. You can obtain calcium in an equally beneficial form at much less expense, and the trace minerals from food or a multivitamin that includes minerals.
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