What is Coral Calcium?
Calcium comes in various forms—calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, calcium orotate, to name a few. Coral calcium, specifically, is a type of calcium carbonate derived from fossilized coral sources. Essentially, it is composed of calcium extracted from ancient coral. Coral polyps, which are small, invertebrate animals, secrete a lime-like substance that solidifies into coral formations. This substance is primarily calcium carbonate. If you’re wondering about the sustainability and environmental impact of coral calcium harvesting, you’re not alone. There are significant concerns about the potential damage to irreplaceable coral reefs from such practices. So, is it really worth it?
Is Coral Calcium Effective?
In its simplest form, calcium is just rock, which the human body can’t easily process. To make it usable, our bodies have a natural mechanism called “chelating.” This process involves combining calcium with another substance, often an amino acid, which the body can absorb and use. For example, calcium citrate is calcium carbonate chelated with citric acid. The body sees citric acid as food, so calcium citrate is more easily absorbed than plain calcium carbonate.
While the stomach can chelate calcium, its efficiency decreases as we age, making it harder for older adults to process minerals. Some forms of calcium, like calcium orotate, are designed with advanced absorption mechanisms, potentially offering more benefits for those who need it most.
False Claims of Coral Calcium
The effectiveness of coral calcium is still debatable. In January 2004, the Federal Trade Commission took action against some manufacturers for making false claims about coral calcium’s health benefits. These companies falsely advertised that coral calcium supplements could cure cancer, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other severe conditions. They also falsely claimed that the body absorbs coral calcium better than other calcium supplements. These actions emphasize the importance of researching nutritional supplements yourself instead of relying on commercials. Marketing coral calcium as a cancer cure is not only incorrect but also unethical. Shame on those who made such claims.
Coral Calcium Research
Research concerning coral calcium has not yielded groundbreaking results. The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Mahidol University in Bangkok analyzed samples of calcium carbonate salts for lead, cadmium, and mercury and found that all samples contained lead. A Japanese study involving just 12 volunteers examined the effects of ingesting coral calcium through a cracker. While researchers did observe some interesting notes on absorbability, they concluded that the data set was too small to be conclusive.
Interestingly, coral calcium has shown promise in at least one application. A German surgeon reported successfully using natural coral calcium for bone grafting in maxillofacial surgery.
Stick With What Works
For effective calcium supplementation, I recommend calcium orotate. It is the most effective form of calcium available. The orotate transfer system allows calcium to penetrate directly into the cells that need it most. This is why we formulated IntraCal?. This supplement combines calcium orotate and magnesium orotate, two vital nutrients that support healthy teeth and bones, the nervous system, and cardiovascular health. It is the only calcium supplement I use, and it is the most bioavailable form available.
