ARTICLES

DOWNFALLS OF CORAL CALCIUM

When limestone which contains fossilized coral reef deposits is smashed down, a salt, known as coral calcium is harvested from it. For the most part, limestone is used to produce coral calcium because coral reefs are a protective and crucial element in the ecosystem of the ocean. Some harvesting of live oceanic coral reefs to obtain coral calcium salts do occur which threatens the sustained existence of many ocean living animals.

There have been an enormous amount of outrageous claims made about the supposed miraculous curing powers of coral calcium. Coral calcium is touted by many, especially by those selling it, to be the miracle cure for cancers and a number of afflictions. But there is little evidence available to substantiate those claims at this point in time. The spreading of the falsehoods about what coral calcium can do is definitely one of the downfalls of coral calcium. People looking to improve health and prolong life are duped into believing that this supplement can protect them against every sickness that can strike mankind. Truthfully, protection from disease is found through the combined efforts of diet, immunization, and avoiding exposure to disease causing elements. It is truthful to say that calcium supplements can be very helpful to those suffering from calcium deficiencies. But coral calcium may not be the best choice in a calcium supplement. It is also truthful that most people get all the calcium they need through food sources and do not need coral calcium supplements.

Unlike many other dietary supplements, the benefits of coral calcium are far outweighed by the health risks posed by this supplement. .Coral calcium has been found to contain mercury, lead, and other metals that are toxic and can cause devastating diseases and even death when introduced into the human body. When the level of these metals in the body rises above levels that are considered to be harmless to most people, death can occur. Children and adults whose immune systems are compromised can die even from low levels of these metals in the body. Man is responsible for these toxic metals getting into the surface of coral reefs by polluting the air with these contaminants which then settles onto coral reefs.

The kidneys have to work hard to process coral calcium in the body and this added work poses a real health threat to people whose kidneys are already hampered in their proper functioning due to certain kidney conditions. Shellfish reside on coral reef and are found in the smashed down calcium salt from limestone which is another of the downfalls of coral calcium, because it poses a high risk for serious or deadly allergic reactions for people with allergies to shellfish. Those allergic reactions can include rashes, hives, throat swelling, rapid heart beat, and heart failure.

Further downfalls of coral calcium are its expense when compared to other forms of calcium supplements, and also its poor absorption rate in the body. Purified calcium carbonates for instance, are considerably less expensive than coral calcium and its absorption rate is also higher in most healthy people.

If you feel that you are deficient in calcium it is a good idea to discuss this concern with your doctor prior to starting a regimen of calcium supplementation. Your doctor will first want to conduct medical tests to discover the levels of calcium in your body and to determine if you are suffering from a condition that can cause calcium deficiency. Your doctor can then treat any condition that is present and advise you on the safest way to increase the amount of calcium in your body should you need to.