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Calcium - Miracle Cure or Propaganda?

By Rani Yovetich

I am sure you have heard the radio advertisements or seen the infomercials on the miracles of coral calcium. I decided to do a little research and of course, try this miracle calcium supplement myself. Did I feel a difference? I most definitately noticed a change in my endurance and energy level. My husband noticed a large difference as well. He benefited from a boosted immune system which was put to the test when three different strains of flu and strep throat swept through our house in one month's time.

The main quandary was deciding which company to choose. They all claim to have the best form of coral calcium and be ecologically safe. The main difference I noticed was price. Shop around. Some brands offer vitamins and minerals added to the coral calcium. If you're going to take a multiple, this is the way to get the most for your buck. It is hard to find information on coral calcium that is not linked to sales. One of the companies claims that you cannot have too much calcium. Studies have shown there is harm to be done in excessive calcium intake. Is coral calcium different? I don't think so. Coral calcium contains calcium carbonate, the form found in most supplements. So, what makes coral calcium so different? They claim it is absorbed into your body more efficiently. It contains a natural form of calcium and comes in a powder form. I do believe this is the best way to consume your vitamins and minerals versus man-made, artificially-bound products. Our blood mineral content is very similar to that of ocean water. From all the research I have conducted previously, foods and products from the sea seem to contain what our bodies need the most.

Studies show coral calcium has the ability to change an acidic system alkaline. I have been seeing this alkaline vs. acidic body chemistry everywhere these days. According to experts, most of the foods being consumed today turn acidic in our bodies. This allows disease and illness to flourish. We need the right balance of alkaline and acid to be healthy. The infomercial I saw claimed that according to the AMA, calcium is shown to reverse cancer cells back to normal. I do know that the calcium found in dairy products has been proven to protect against ovarian cancer. I guess milk really does a body good!

The best non-dairy calcium resources are fortified juices, fish and shellfish, soy products, beans and legumes, dark green leafy vegetables (especially sea vegetables) and nuts and seeds.

Calcium is an extremely important mineral. Unfortunately, it is also one of the hardest for the body to absorb. A couple of M&M's taken within an hour of a glass of milk could keep your body from absorbing the calcium.

Many green leafy vegetables that contain calcium also contain oxalic acid, a substance that prohibits the body from absorbing calcium. Spinach is a good example. Kale and sea vegetables on the other hand contain little to no oxalic acid, allowing for higher calcium assimilation. Fiber is another factor. If you eat a bowl of raisin bran or shredded wheat, the fiber will bind to the calcium, passing it through the body unabsorbed. Soda, coffee, alcohol, and fruits containing large levels of fructose all prohibit the absorption of calcium.

With everything working against us, it's amazing we get any calcium at all. It would appear that a calcium supplement is necessary for adequate mineral intake. Calcium carbonate is the most common, purest form of calcium, and the least expensive. Calcium citrate, commonly found in fortified juices, is easier to digest, but you need to consume more to equal the amount of carbonate. Then there are calcium lactate, aspartate, phosphate, gluconate, malate, chelated calcium, and microcrystalline hydroxyapatite. All have claims to support their higher price tags.

I suggest getting your calcium from various sources. Eat healthy, consume nonfat dairy products and fortified juices daily to get your calcium. It is a waste to consume more than 500mg of calcium at a time, so spread any supplementation throughout the day. Do not consume more than 2000mg of calcium per day, from all sources. I suggest no more than 1000mg of supplementation per day. You can also use various supplements at a time. For example, carbonate with breakfast, citrate with lunch, and perhaps coral calcium before bed. Calcium consumed at bedtime will help provide you with a better night's sleep. Remember, vitamin D and magnesium are needed for calcium absorption as well.

If you do take supplements, be sure to tell your doctor. Calcium supplements can interfere with thyroid medications, some antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and corticosteroids. They may want to check your calcium level with a blood test as well. More isn't always better.

About the Author:

Rani Yovetich is a personal trainer, certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She had her own health and fitness column in a local newspaper and her work has been published in Next Step Magazine. She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached via