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== Health Claim Controversy == |
== Health Claim Controversy == |
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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.{{POV-statement|date=December 2007}} |
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.{{POV-statement|date=December 2007}} |
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|accessdate=2007-06-04 |
|accessdate=2007-06-04 |
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|quote=<small>What the marketers of coral calcium do is exploit and exaggerate the known importance and function of calcium and then try to tie those benefits and more to their product.</small>}}<small> — Dr. Michael T. Murray.</small></ref> |
|quote=<small>What the marketers of coral calcium do is exploit and exaggerate the known importance and function of calcium and then try to tie those benefits and more to their product.</small>}}<small> — Dr. Michael T. Murray.</small></ref> |
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== Possible Health Benefits == |
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{{TotallyDisputed-section|date=December 2007}} |
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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>{{Verify credibility|date=December 2007}} |
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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]]. |
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=== Studies On The Coral-Calcium Cancer Link === |
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'''Pro''' |
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[http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/jnci;94/6/437]'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)[http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/jnci;94/6/437]</ref> |
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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. |
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'''Con''' |
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[http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/354/7/684] 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. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
Revision as of 00:46, 22 December 2007
Coral Calcium is a salt of calcium derived from fossilized coral reefs. Because living coral reefs are endangered and cannot be harvested without significant damage to the ecosystem, coral calcium is harvested by grinding up above-ground limestone deposits that were once part of a coral reef. Calcium from coral source need to be refined to remove eventual pollutants of the source environment.
Chemistry
Coral calcium itself is composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with small amounts of magnesium and other trace minerals. Chemically, calcium carbonate from coral is no different from calcium carbonate from other sources, aside from trace minerals.
Much attention has been given to calcium carbonate's ability to change the pH (or alkalinity) of water-based solutions to which it is added. With respect to pH and alkalinity, the calcium component is less important than the carbonate component, which is chemically similar to the bicarbonate in baking soda. When dissolved in solution, calcium carbonate dissociates into calcium cations (positive ions) and carbonate anions (negative ions). Once in solution, carbonate ions will increase the pH (and alkalinity) of solutions to which they are added. pH can be tested using a litmus test.
Health Claim Controversy
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.[neutrality is disputed]
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. [neutrality is disputed]
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."[1] Some proponents of natural medicine and nutritional supplements have condemned coral calcium and its fraud.[2]
Possible Health Benefits
Template:TotallyDisputed-section 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. [3][unreliable source?]
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
[2]'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[4]
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
[3] 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.
See also
References
- ^
Barrett, Stephen (January 25, 2004). "Be Wary of Coral Calcium and Robert Barefoot". Quackwatch. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
Using an inexpensive calcium supplement may also be safer. Laboratory analyses have shown that some calcium supplements contain significant amounts of lead and other heavy metals.
— Stephen Barrett, M.D. - ^
Murray, Dr. Michael T (2006). "Coral Calcium – The answer to how do you spell HYPE?". Dr. Murray Natural Living, Inc. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
What the marketers of coral calcium do is exploit and exaggerate the known importance and function of calcium and then try to tie those benefits and more to their product.
— Dr. Michael T. Murray. - ^ Robert Barefoot and Carl J. Reich M.D., The Calcium Factor
- ^ 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)[1]