You've probably heard that the ocean contains a vast number of organisms under intense study for their ability to provide life-saving medicines, potential cures for cancer and uses as anti-aging drugs. While there are certainly some compounds of great scientific interest and significant medical potential in the oceans of the world, not everything that comes from the ocean is necessarily healthier or superior to similar molecules from less exotic sources. Coral calcium, an ocean compound, has received much undeserved attention as a healthy diet supplement.
History
According to nutritionist Deborah Straub in a 2007 article published in the journal "Nutrition in Clinical Practice," coral calcium began to receive attention after some enterprising individuals promoted it as being responsible for the long lives of the Okinawans. While Americans responded favorably to the idea of a supplement that would provide calcium, increase longevity and reduce risk of cancer, there has never been any scientific evidence to support these claims.
Coral Calcium
In fact, coral calcium is nothing but limestone, which is quite similar in chemical composition to chalk. It's made up primarily of calcium carbonate, which is the most common and abundant calcium salt in nature and in supplements. There are many different over-the-counter calcium supplements that contain calcium carbonate; these offer identical health benefits to those afforded by coral calcium, and are significantly less expensive.
Benefits
Coral calcium, like calcium carbonate, serves as a valuable source of the important calcium mineral. You need calcium to maintain the integrity of your skeletal system and to prevent loss of bone density -- and resulting osteoporosis -- as you age. Your heart also depends on calcium in order to maintain the strength and regularity of its rhythm. Finally, muscular contractions depend upon adequate calcium in the bloodstream.
Drawbacks
While coral calcium delivers significant health benefits, they are not distinct from the benefits of taking any other calcium supplement. Further, coral calcium has some important environmental disadvantages associated with it, and may also be contaminated with lead, notes a 2004 article published in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association." Lead is a potent neurotoxin, meaning it can damage the brain and nerve tissue. Further, coral reefs represent an important part of the ocean ecosystem and take many thousands of years to proliferate. Harvesting coral to provide nutritional supplements may be quite detrimental to marine environments.
References
- "Nutrition in Clinical Practice"; Calcium Supplementation in Clinical Practice: A Review of Forms, Doses, and Indications; D. Straub; 2007
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Is coral calcium a safe and effective supplement?; Susan Blumberg; September 2004
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