Coral calcium: life or death?

[Arnaud]

I keep bumping into these infomercials that don't fall far from claiming that coral calcium is basically the panacea to eternal life.

Apparently, the focus is on a specific calcium from Okinawa, though considering that the FDA does not control this kind of products, one can wonder where it's really from.

Anyway, as divers, we all know the importance of corals on the ecosystem. I am concerned that this new trend could have some devastating consequences. Does anyone have reassuring information or should we start an awareness program?

 

[scuberd]

I don't care if its the #$@&ing fountain of youth, STAY OFF OF MY CORAL!!!!

 

[cat]

Ok, I think we can relax a bit. The "coral calcium" on sale appears to be... *sand* from Okinawa (yes, there are CaCO3 beaches out there in the wide world - lots of them and someone has found a way to sell them at what appears to be a mighty inflated price) and/or ground up fossilized coral.
I haven't seen anything in the ads that suggests they are going out and grinding up live coral. Yet. Not that they are likely to run out of sand - but there's always the possibility some fool will decide that "fresh" coral is better.

BTW: if any of you are thinking about buying this stuff it is my considered (non-medical) opinion that: a. yes, calcium is a required nutrient b. no, we often don't get enough in our diet and many of us should consider taking supplements c. yes, there's a lot of Ca in coral, fossilized or otherwise d. the claims about how "ionic" Ca is more readily taken into the mammalian body than other forms (isn't this just the opposite of what the "chelated organic minerals folks were telling us short while ago?) contradict what I know about metal ion uptake (which is plenty, btw) and e. anyone dumb enough to buy this stuff should think about spending their money on more worthy projects, like buying me diving gear


The rationale behind this is that people seem to live a long time in Okinawa and that it's because the water they drink percolates through fossilized coral and picks up the minerals (never mind dietary influences, genetics or anything else, grumble). Those of you in SW Ontario and other alkaline hard-water zones take note
Meanwhile- CaCO3, with or without the "correct" amount of magnesium carbonate in it is, and should be, one of the *cheapest* chemicals on the planet. There is no reason to pay extra for a "special" form - if you want natural source, the stuff made from ground oystershells is usually pretty resonably priced and if you want the Ca/Mg balanced stuff that doesn't cost too much either.

<ok, I'm off the soapbox now>

 

[Arnaud]

Great explanation!