Is This For REAL?? Coral Calcium pills...

[Anonymous]

Well, I didn't know if I should put this in the Sump or what. I decided that this is something that anyone who either keeps miniature reefs or is even interested in keeping mini reef in home or just wants to see them preserved might be interested in.

When our power finally came on this morning there is a program on and it's featuring a man who calls himself "Bob Barefoot", and he's going on about the myriad benefits of using, specifically, "Coral Calcium". I will provide some links I've found on Google. I have emailed one distributor, and will be trying to find a link to get an addy for Mr. Barefoot directly, because I am most interested in where/how this Floridian is deriving this "Coral Calcium". (You can see where this is leading.) So far the closest I can get to finding an answer is this (their comparison to other "coral calcium grades vs. 'marine grade' "):

Marine grade coral calcium is the natural coral grains that have accumulated in the Okinawa tidal basin over the millennia. Due to the unique dynamic of the eco system (virtually no wave action) there is a vast supply of these mineral rich grains to be harvested. Coral calcium is composed primarily of the shells and skeletons of reef-building coral and microscopic sea life such as star sand that inhabit the area. To form their shells and skeletons, these organisms ingest minerals (mainly calcium and magnesium) from the ocean. As a result, the grains are mainly calcium, but they are also abundant in many sea minerals important to maintain good health.

Now, at first I thought "infomercial=crap", but then he started speaking about certain physical processes for which calcium is absolutely required. Many of the things he was saying are indeed true, so I stopped to listen. He then proceeded to make some absolutely incredible claims; a cancer curative being one of them. He then, in my eyes, descended into the realm of "snake oil" seller. This wouldn't bother me so much, except I cannot help but to then be reminded of the damage done to global shark populations because of similar "snake oil" type claims made about the wonders of shark cartilage.

So, here are a couple of links, I may add more.
http://www.healthtreasures.com/
http://www.coral-calcium-supplement.com/
http://www.coral-calcium-supplement.com ... s_Land.htm

I'd really like to know what anyone/everyone else thinks and/or knows about this product. I will quote some of the incredible claims, some of which I believe that we, as a community all too familiar with coral and other calcareous flora and fauna, will immediately see as false.
A quote or two:

http://www.1-coral-calcium.com/coral_calcium_story.htm

How Coral water works.....
· Raises drinking water's pH to approximately 8.5 regardless of previous quality.
· Binds heavy metals.
· Removes chlorine.
· Hinders growth of bacteria.
· Adds ionic coral calcium and essential minerals to water.

Now, I don't know about anyone else, but, do some of these claims not make sense to you (knowing what we do about chlorine, bacteria, and water quality)?

Fact: If your body's pH is not balanced, you cannot effectively assimilate vitamins, minerals and food supplements.
Fact: There is more calcium in the body than any other mineral. 20% of an adults bone calcium is reabsorbed and replaced every year.

I'd like to investigate the veracity of this "fact", anyone who wants to help will be most welcome--even IF it supports this claim/fact.

What Okinawa Coral Calcium can do.....

· Maintain optimum alkalinity for optimum health
· Provide you easily absorbed and usable calcium
· Cleanse the kidneys, intestines and liver
· Maintain stronger bones and healthier teeth
· Alleviate insomnia
· Keep your heart beating regularly
· Help metabolize your body's iron
· Aid your nervous system
· Breakdown heavy metals and drug residues in your body
· Neutralize harmful acids that lead to illness
· Achieve a healthy alkaline level, neutralizing acid
· Protect your body from free radical damage
· Control digestive problems
· Increase muscle and joint mobility
· Combat arthritic conditions and heart disease
· Regulate blood sugar levels and blood pressure

News to me...but I will keep my mind open (ensuing pressures on habitat notwithstanding). Read this!

Over 4 million Japanese use the product daily. In the U.S. today there are only 250,000 users of Coral Calcium. It is projected that there will be between 10-20 million users in the U.S. by 2002.

As I mentioned earlier, some of the claims made are well-known facts in nutrition science and medical science. However, I'm having trouble with the veracity of these more fantastic claims.
Again, that's not so much my problem as the potential for habitat destruction is.

 

[Anonymous]

I have received my first reply.

From: "Chris, Health Treasures" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Questions about Coral Calcium

M*****,

The coral calcium I sell is from under the sea coral. I'm not sure how it is processed.

Chris

At 08:59 AM 02/11/2003 -0800, you wrote:

Hello Chris,

I saw a program with Mr. Barefoot speaking on Coral
Calcium (I had never heard of it as a nutrition
supplement), and I have a question.

I would like to know from what sources specifically
this "Coral Calcium" is derived and how it is
processed.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my
questions.

M***** H******

 

[Lurshy]

I saw part of the same infomercial and thought - "Why don't I just eat some oolitic sand. Naah, I'lld rather drink milk."

 

[EmilyB]

and what one of the other guys has to say

 

[EmilyB]

Geese, did you guys crash the site... :lol:

I was just on there reading what they had to say about Bob Barefoot's choice of coral, and posted the link, now I can't get back on there.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Em :!:

Took a minute, but I got in. I really thought this a fad, but it might stick around a while.

 

[Anonymous]

My father in law has a bottle. Claims to be from Fiji no less.

 

[Expos Forever]

The coral calcium I sell is from under the sea coral. I'm not sure how it is processed.

Chris

Thanks for clearing that up for us :roll: :wink:

 

[VICTORIA]

I have tryed a similar product. It does make sense the body does works to lay down bone the same way that coral does. I worked in the hospital and when they needed a piece of bone replacement they use a product made of coral, our bone grows around it and fills it in. Just something to think about. Since we lose bone mass when we age I think it worth a try even if you only get a little more bone mass. Don't know about any of the other claims. Can't hurt to try?

 

[buff1]

I'll come clean. Of my own volition, I started mixing a small amount of Aragamite into a glass of water and drinking it. That's right, the same stuff that caribsea markets as a calcium replacement for our reef tanks. I did this completely on my own. Later, I heard that this Bob Barefoot guy was the "guru" of coral calcium as a nutritional supplement. I should be the guru making millions. :lol: I started doing it because I read some stuff about the body's ph and how a low ph can encourage a lot of bad health stuff while a ph of 7 or higher tends to make a body healthier. I figured that if my ph was low, the aragamite would dissolve easily, releasing calcium and other beneficial stuff and if it was high, the aragonite powder would pass through my system, no harm done. To me it makes sense. I haven't noticed any "snake oil" like miracle cures, but one interesting benefit is that when I drink red wine, which is quite often and I swallow a small amount of aragamite (ie: about half a teaspoon or slightly more) afterward, I don't have the same kind of parched feeling in the morning. It's a subtle difference but quite noticeable. For whatever it's worth, that my two cents on the subject. If anyone knows anything terrible about aragamite, please tell me now.

 

[Anonymous]

I'll come clean. Of my own volition, I started mixing a small amount of Aragamite into a glass of water and drinking it.

Bah Lightweight!!! I start every day with a big hunk of acropora for breakfast!

Seriously, what benefit is this going to give people over conventional calcium supplements or better yet, gasp, eating a balanced diet so you dont need supplements?

 

[teevee]

the vast majority of products such as this have no effect, other than perhaps a placebo effect if you are extremely gullible. filling your body with any one mineral will have detrimental effects on your health. the necessity of many vitamins and minerals has been vastly overplayed by interests groups, such as dairy producers. this is similar to the people who say that the worlds oldest people did it by eating mud, or eating a certain fish, or drinking a certain water. it is a scam, and in this case, could have harmful effects on reefs themselves. there is no quick fix for lifes problems. like our reefs, bad things happen very quickly, good things happen very slowly. staying healthy involves eating healthy, exercising, and generally living a balanced life.

mmm hmm just thought i'd comment.

 

[Newts]

How do you go about putting it in your reef tank?Will my corals grow faster,or did I get on the wrong forum?What were we talking about? :wink:

 

[Freedom75@work]

I myself would much prefer a big plate of Green Clams and Eggs.


Just kidding. I think I would consult a doctor before eatting bagged aragmax. sounds nasty. probably has fish poop on it


John Wray