Coral Calcium

Coral calcium is a dietary supplement important for healthy bones and teeth. Without adequate levels of this nutrient in the blood, the body will break down bone and teeth. Coral calcium was previously believed to be more effective than other forms of calcium, but there is actually no evidence to support these claims. Potential side effects of this supplement include gas, constipation, and kidney stones.

What Is Coral Calcium?

Coral calcium is a form of calcium used in some calcium supplements. At one time, many advertisements claimed that coral calcium was significantly better than other forms of calcium. These advertisements also made incredible claims about the benefits of coral calcium, such as the ability to cure cancer. The truth is that coral calcium is just calcium carbonate (the same type found in many inexpensive calcium supplements). In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have required companies from making such unsubstantiated claims. There is no evidence that coral calcium has any benefit over the other types.

(Click What Is Calcium Used For? for more information.)

How Does It Work?

Most of the calcium in the human body is stored in the bones and the teeth. While many people think of bones and teeth as being permanent, unchanging structures, they are actually always being broken down and rebuilt. It is essential to keep a certain steady level of calcium in the blood. If blood calcium levels are too low, the body will break down bone and teeth to increase these levels. If the blood levels are high, the body uses the extra calcium to rebuild bone and teeth.

Is Coral Calcium Effective?

Coral calcium is effective for some uses, but not any more effective than any other type of calcium. However, many uses have only a little scientific evidence in their favor, and some have almost none at all (see Does Calcium Work? for more information).

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