Everyone needs calcium, a readily available and inexpensive mineral necessary for building and repairing bone, in amounts of 1,000 to 1,200 mg per day. Promoter Robert Barefoot claims coral calcium from Okinawa as not only the best calcium supplement but also as a cure-all for a number of diseases. The Federal Trade Commission has denounced these claims, but coral calcium continues to sell at prices much higher than most calcium supplements. Some coral calcium today comes from Brazil and places other than Okinawa. Coral calcium poses some risks not found in other calcium supplements.
Shellfish Allergy
Coral calcium can activate a shellfish allergy, MayoClinic.com warns. Because shellfish hide in the coral reefs, traces of shellfish may remain on the coral. People with a shellfish allergy should not take the product. One of the most common allergies, shellfish allergy can cause symptoms as mild as nasal stuffiness or as severe as anaphylaxis, swelling of the face and airway that leads to circulatory collapse, followed by unconsciousness and death.
Potential Toxicity
Coral calcium comes from the bottom of the ocean, known to be contaminated with substances such as lead and mercury, as well as other toxic substances, Dr. Robert Keith, Professor of Nutrition and Foods at Auburn University explained in 2003. At least two brands tested by Consumer Reports contained amounts of lead greater than California's acceptable standards in 2005, registered dietician Gloria Tsang reported on HealthCastle. Look for a U.S. Pharmacopeia, or USP symbol, which shows the product was tested for lead and other contaminants. The USP testing is voluntary, so not all products have it. Other types of calcium also contain small amounts of lead, but much less than the acceptable levels, the New York State Department of Health reports.
Considerations
According to a small 1999 Japanese study of 12 people reported by lead author Kunihiko Ishitani of Higashi Sapporo Hospital of Japan, coral calcium was better absorbed than other forms of calcium carbonate based on urinary excretion. Coral calcium may absorb better due to its magnesium content; coral calcium contains 20 percent calcium and 10 percent magnesium, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center website states. Taking a daily multivitamin that contains magnesium supplies the same benefit at considerably less cost, Dr. Keith says. Most people obtain an adequate amount of magnesium from their diets.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Coral Calcium
- MayoClinic.com: Shellfish Allergy
- HealthCastle: Alert! Coral Calcium Supplements Scam
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System: Beware of Coral-Calcium Claims
- Pub Med: Calcium Absorption from the Ingestion of Coral-derived Calcium by Humans
- New York State Department of Health: Commonly Asked Questions About Calcium Supplements
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