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.
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).
Some people think that vitamins or minerals are naturally free of side effects. However, this is simply not the case. Coral
calcium has been reported to cause various side effects, including but not limited to:
There is also some concern that coral calcium might be more likely to contain contaminants, compared to other types of calcium. The contaminants could cause unpredictable side effects.
(Click Calcium Side Effects to learn more, including any potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Most people can safely take coral calcium, especially at reasonable dosages, and especially if the product is free of contaminants. However, some people may be more likely to experience problems than others. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking the supplement if you have:
- Achlorhydria (low or absent stomach acid)
- An overactive parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism)
- High phosphate levels in the blood (hyperphosphatemia)
- Low phosphate levels in the blood (hypophosphatemia)
- Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- Kidney stones
- Sarcoidosis
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, minerals, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
(Click Safety of Calcium for more information, including any available warnings and precautions.)
Because it has been studied quite a bit, good information about coral
calcium dosing is available. For some of the less studied uses, the most effective (and safe) doses have not yet been established. Adequate Intakes (AIs) and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) have been established for the mineral.
What If I Take a Coral Calcium Overdose?
It is possible to take too much coral calcium. Overdose symptoms may vary, depending on factors such as the dosage and whether it was taken all at once (a single massive overdose) or over a long period of time (a chronic overdose).
