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News Letters & Stuff>
Coral calcium
September 12, 2003
Be Wary of Coral Calcium
Stephen Barrett, M.D.
"Coral calcium" is a dietary supplement said to be derived
from "remnants of living coral that have fallen from coral
reefs, as a result of wave action or other natural
processes." It is also said to be mined from the old ocean
beds at the base of the coral reefs in Okinawa, Japan
[1:120]. Simply put, "coral remnants" are limestone, which
coral organisms originally manufacture as a protective
shell. Since coral reefs are protected by law, "coral
calcium" is made by grinding up limestone that no longer
contains live organisms.
Limestone has no unique health properties. It is merely
calcium carbonate, with some magnesium and trace amounts of
many other minerals. Limestone fertilizer, available at
garden centers, costs as little as a dollar for an 80-pound
bag. (Note: Limestone fertilizer is not suitable for human
use as a calcium supplement. I mention it only to
illustrate how inexpensive the raw ingredients can be.) For
people who need to consume extra calcium, purified calcium
carbonate pills are safer and far less expensive than
"coral calcium."
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