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Skeptics and Quackwatch.org

"There have been many unsubstantiated claims made regarding coral calcium, perhaps the most controversial of which is that taking coral calcium can cure cancer by increasing "body pH." Scientific studies have been performed indicating that cancer cells cannot survive at sufficiently high pH levels. What the marketers of coral calcium usually fail to mention is that these studies were conducted in-vitro and not on living tissue. The reason for this is that the pH level required to kill cancer cells also kills healthy human cells."

"Another problem with the "body alkalinization" idea is that the body pH doesn't change, regardless of how much calcium carbonate is ingested. The human body can only function properly within a narrow pH range, and if alkalinizing agents such as CaCO₃ are ingested, the body promptly excretes the alkaline components in urine. So, people who attempt to increase the pH of their bodies are really only succeeding in raising the pH of their urine. The same applies if acidic foods are ingested in that the urine becomes more acidic. Additionally, it can be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions (such as kidney failure) to take excess coral calcium."

"Calcium itself is an essential mineral for human life, and coral calcium is an effective source of it, though by no means the only one. While the calcium component of coral calcium is identical to any other limestone deposit, fossilized coral reefs may contain trace minerals helpful to the human body, though it's unlikely that a well-nourished individual would be deficient in any of these minerals."

"Dr. Stephen Barrett, alternative medicine critic, said: "Limestone has no unique health properties."<ref name="DoctorBarrett">
<small> — Stephen Barrett, M.D.</small></ref> Some proponents of natural medicine and nutritional supplements have condemned coral calcium and its fraud.<ref name="DoctorMurray">
<small> — Dr. Michael T. Murray.</small></ref>"

Possible Health Benefits

Though carbonate may leave the body rather quickly, it is reported by some, that the calcium component continues to provide pH level support throughout the body. Calcium binds to phosphoric acid to form Hydroxyapatite, neutralizing the acid and forming an alkaline molecule. It facilitates the body's natural balancing of serum pH. Generally speaking, the increased presence of calcium denotes a higher pH level. Also, though the pH level of the blood itself varies only slightly, body tissues and organs can become dangerously acidic if the body is depleted of pH balancing minerals. In a deficient state, the body allocates it's mineral resources to the blood to keep the body alive. The pH balancing properties of coral calcium may be most helpful in more remote regions like the ears, nose, sinuses, and throat. <ref name="Robert Barefoot">Robert Barefoot and Carl J. Reich M.D., The Calcium Factor</ref>

If you use, or are planning to use coral calcium supplements, please take a reasonable dose, as the kidneys may be affected negatively by extreme doses. See Hypercalciuria.

Studies On The Coral-Calcium Cancer Link

Pro

[2027]'Proper calcium intake may reduce the incidence of colon and rectal cancers through forming insoluble soaps with some mild carcinogens produced in the body, including bile acids and free, ionized fatty acids' -- Calcium Intake and Risk of Colon Cancer in Women and Men, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, March 20, 2002<ref name="Cancer Study">Calcium Intake and Risk of Colon Cancer in Women and Men, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 94, No. 6, March 20, 2002 (Page 444 "Articles" Paragraphs 2-3)[2028]</ref>

The above study also states: "In our study, supplemental calcium intake was significantly associated with decreased risk even among participants with low dietary calcium intake". Thus calcium supplementation may be a contributive factor in decreasing the risk of colon cancer. Additional supporting studies can be found on the talk page.

Con

[2029] The New England Journal Of Medicine published another study involving postmenopausal women: Calcium plus Vitamin D Supplementation and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer, Feb 16th 2006, Number 7. That study concluded "supplementation of calcium with vitamin D for seven years had no effect on the incidence of colorectal cancer among postmenopausal women." However, the study did admit that "The long latency associated with the development of colorectal cancer, along with the seven-year duration of the trial, may have contributed to this null finding". Additional unsupportive studies may be found on the talk page.

References

See also

Robert Barefoot

External Links

Beat Cancer the Barefoot Way &ndash; Piping Hot from DietPower, June 2003

Acid or Alkaline? - Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

Coral Calcium: A Barefoot Scam - Leon Jaroff, Time magazine article

Marketers of coral calcium product are prohibited from making disease treatment and cure claims in advertising. - FTC news release, Jan 22, 2004