Coral Calcium: Calcium supplements have become very popular and are generally thought to be an effective way to promote healthy bone density.
Contents
Uses
- This medication is used to prevent or treat low blood calcium levels in people who do not get enough calcium from their diets.
- It may be used to treat conditions caused by low calcium levels such as bone loss (osteoporosis), weak bones (osteomalacia/rickets), decreased activity of the parathyroid gland (hypoparathyroidism), and a certain muscle disease (latent tetany).
- It may also be used in certain patients to make sure they are getting enough calcium (e.g., women who are pregnant, nursing, or postmenopausal, people taking certain medications such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, or prednisone).
- Calcium plays a very important role in the body. It is necessary for normal functioning of nerves, cells, muscle, and bone. If there is not enough calcium in the blood, then the body will take calcium from bones, thereby weakening bones. Having the right amount of calcium is important for building and keeping strong bones.
Benefits
- Antioxidant: Coral calcium was found to be an antioxidant, in a study published in 2009 in “Biomaterials.” Antioxidants are an important component of health. This is because they work on a cellular level thereby reducing the onset of disease in general. When cells use oxygen to produce energy, they give off harmful byproducts called free radicals that can attack healthy cells. However, antioxidants attach themselves to free radicals and prevent them from damaging or killing cells.
- Accelerated Senescence: Accelerated senescence is essentially rapid aging. Coral calcium may help prevent this from occurring. The 2009 study in “Biomaterials” found that coral calcium protected against accelerated senescence in the brains of mice. The coral calcium supplementation worked by affecting the processes of genes involved with cellular preservation.
- Bone Formation: Coral calcium may help promote bone growth. A study published in 2010 in the “Journal of Oral Implantology” revealed that bone tissue was grown in the presence of coral calcium. The researchers implanted graphs that contained coral calcium with steel rods into the bones of mice that lead to accelerated bone growth compared to controls. The researchers noted that coral calcium improved bone growth by roughly 36 percent.
- Lifespan: Coral calcium has been associated with longer lifespans among certain ethnic groups. For example, people in Okinawa,, Japan as well as people of the mountainous regions of Pakistan commonly enjoy long lives. Scientific observation has revealed that one of the contributing factors is the intake of minerals. In these regions, coral calcium is one such mineral source, according to an article published in July 2008 in the “Townsend Letter.”
Cautions
- Lead and Mercury Poisoning: People who take coral calcium supplements are at risk for lead and mercury poisoning, according to the website Bonespur. Some coral calcium supplements contain trace amounts of lead or mercury, which can poison the body over time. When someone ingests lead or mercury, these elements move along the body to the brain and are stored in the liver, kidneys or bone marrow. Severe neurological damage can occur when excess an amount of mercury accumulates in organ tissue. In order to avoid an overdose of coral calcium, it is important to contact a medical professional before taking this supplement.Allergic Reactions
- Some people may experience an allergic reaction while using coral calcium, according to the MayoClinic.com. Shellfish typically live amongst coral reefs so there is good possibility that people who are allergic to shellfish will have a similar allergy to coral calcium. An allergic reaction may consist of hives, swelling or loss of breath.
Interactions
Unknown, please consult with your doctor.
Other names
Calcium Carb-Mag Oxide-Vit D3, Calcium Carb-D3-Magnesium Chel, Calcium, Calcium-Mag Oxide-Vitamin D3, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Carb-Vit D3-Magnesium
References
Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-64799/coral-calcium-oral/details
LiveStrong, http://www.livestrong.com/article/277005-side-effects-of-coral-calcium/
GlobalHealingCenter, https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/what-is-coral-calcium/