Posted on: Saturday, June 21, 2003

PRESCRIPTIONS
Benefits of coral calcium overblown

By Amy Tousman

Is it true that coral calcium is better for my bones than Tums? Also, I heard it cures cancer. Is this true?

Coral calcium is a supplement made from dead coral. Sellers claim it can cure more than 200 ailments, including heart disease, cancer, arthritis and lupus.

They also claim it helps you lose weight and boosts your immune system.

No product can do all this. In fact, the federal government is taking legal action against marketers of coral calcium for false advertising. The Federal Trade Commission is trying to shut down the manufacturers of Coral Calcium Supreme, a product advertised on television infomercials.

The supposed health benefits of coral calcium are based on the fact that Okinawans live long and healthy lives. The drinking water in Okinawa contains calcium derived from the surrounding coral reefs. Marketers want you to think the coral calcium in the water is responsible for the longevity in these people. Studies suggest healthy eating, an active lifestyle and a strong social network actually are the reasons for the long lives of Okinawans.

Marketers claim coral calcium promotes health by decreasing acid levels in the blood. If the promoters knew their physiology, they would realize that decreasing the acidity of the blood would kill you. There is no proof coral calcium changes blood acids.

Makers of coral calcium claim that by adding magnesium to their product, 70 percent of the calcium in it is absorbed by the body.

Coral calcium manufacturers have no data proving such a high rate of absorption. In fact, magnesium does not influence calcium absorption.

Coral calcium sellers state that only 1 percent of the calcium in Tums is absorbed. Tums actually is 30 percent to 35 percent absorbable, just like all calcium carbonate tablets. Experts recommend taking doses of 500 mg of calcium two or three times a day to increase absorption.

Coral reefs are protected by international law. This makes me wonder if these supplements are actually made from coral. Most likely they are just limestone, formed many years ago from seashells and coral depositing on the ocean floor, just like many other calcium supplements.

Your body can't distinguish coral calcium from other calcium supplements.

Coral calcium supplements cost 20 times as much as a basic calcium pill.

Calcium is good for your bones, but it will not cure cancer.