Questioning Coral Calcium Claims

And the claim that the Okinawans live to be more than 100 is a result of their coral calcium-rich drinking water?

According to the Okinawa Centenarian Study:

"Although Okinawa may have the world's highest concentration of centenarians, as well as extremely low mortality rates from diseases common in the West such as heart disease, breast, and prostate cancers, the research shows that it has very little to do with their drinking water. Although drinking hard water (high mineral content that includes calcium, magnesium, and other minerals) gives the Okinawans a boost in their calcium intakes, they still fall far below the calcium intakes of most Western countries."

This study attributes the longevity of the Okinawans to their diet, physical activity, and a preventive approach to health and medicine.

Calcium or Coral Calcium?

"Calcium has many important biological roles in humans, the most important being bone health," says Gregory Miller, PhD.

The average person needs about 800-1,300 mg of calcium every day, Miller tells WebMD, which is the equivalent of about three to four servings of dairy products.

"Most health professionals recommend that you get your nutrients from your diet first, so calcium-rich foods are the first thing they recommend," says Miller, who is a senior vice president of nutrition and scientific affairs at the National Dairy Council. "If for some reason you can't or won't consume enough calcium, a physician will recommend a generic supplement."

But, he explains to WebMD, you're no better off taking coral calcium over a purified calcium supplement.

"Coral calcium is just another source of calcium, whether you're getting it from carbonate, citrate, lactate, or coral calcium," says Miller. "I'm not aware of any data that suggests coral calcium has any benefits that normal calcium does not give you, and the disadvantage to taking it is cost."

Calcium comes in various formulations:

• Calcium carbonate -- the most common and least expensive -- comes from oyster shells and is absorbed best when taken with a meal.
• Calcium citrate and calcium gluconate are formulated so that they can be taken without food.
• Coral calcium consists of calcium carbonate, magnesium, and trace minerals like selenium and chromium.

Deciphering Fact From Fiction

So what should you consider when deciding to take a dietary or nutritional supplement, such as coral calcium? According to the FDA, these steps should help you determine fact from fiction:

• Ask yourself if the claims a product makes are too good to be true, according to the FDA. Does the product claim to be a cure-all? If it does, chances are those claims are not accurate.
• Be wary of products that base their effectiveness on only one study, or on a study that isn't referenced. Instead, look for products that are substantiated by a body of scientific research that are listed so you can review them for yourself.
• Also be wary of products that use personal anecdotes as evidence that they work, such as, "Millions of people have tried this product, and it has worked for them!"
• Call the manufacturer and ask questions like, "What information do they have to substantiate their product claims? Does the firm have information to share about tests it has conducted on the safety or effectiveness of the product? Have they received any adverse event reports from consumers using their products?"
• Check with your doctor before taking any dietary or nutritional supplement -- he or she may offer some advice on what works, what doesn't, and what products pass muster.

"When a product starts making grandiose claims that it will do all these things--it's 'over-hyped' and based only on testimonials--you have to be cautious about what is being said," says Miller.

The Bottom Line

Coral calcium can help -- if you need a calcium supplement and want to pay $30 for a month's supply instead of $5. So, be reasonable. Talk to your doctor and discuss the pros and cons of this type of calcium compared with purified types, and then make an informed decision about your health and your wallet.

Published July 14, 2003.

SOURCES:   University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter, February 2003. "Okinawa Centenarian Study Position Statement on Coral Calcium," Jan. 7, 2003.  Stephen Barrett, MD, retired psychiatrist, vice president, National Council Against Health Fraud, scientific advisor to the American Council on Science and Health, and manager of QuackWatch.org. Gregory Miller, PhD, nutrition and toxicology, senior vice president, Nutrition and Scientific Affairs, National Dairy Council. WebMD Medical News: "Calcium Pills: Some Fail Quality Tests."