As mentioned before, coral calcium is calcium carbonate harvested from old coral beds. It contains not only calcium carbonate, but a few trace minerals as well. Calcium's role in the human body should not be misrepresented. It is an important element in in both bone formation and many metabolic functions. Most Americans don't get enough calcium in their diet, though. It is often recommended that they take calcium supplements, whether from coral sources or not, to supplement their diet.
Calcium is essential in the physiology of cells. The movement of calcium through the cytoplasm is a trigger for many cellular processes. It is the major mineral component in bones and teeth and is the most abundant metal, by mass, in almost all animals. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, an American volunteer health organization dedicated to preventing osteoporosis and increasing bone health, calcium plays an important role in building stronger, denser bones early in life, and in keeping bones healthy in later life.
Approximately 99% of the calcium in the body is stored in the bones. The other 1% floats through the bloodstream, assisting in neural, cardiac, and muscle functions. Long term-calcium deficiencies can lead to rickets, poor clotting, and osteoporosis, especially in menopausal women.
The tricky part about eating foods high in calcium, such as dairy products, or even taking supplements, is the amount of calcium absorbed. Only about 30% to 40% of the calcium taken in through a normal Western diet is absorbed in the gut. The rest leaves the body in the feces. There are two things you can do to make sure you're getting enough calcium:
- Take a calcium supplement, such as coral calcium. This increase the calcium available to the body for absorption.
- Take measures to increase calcium absorption.
How do you increase calcium absorption?Get enough Vitamin D. Vitamin D is converted by the body into a hormone that induces the production of the intestinal proteins responsible for calcium absorption. Without vitamin D, all that calcium your taking is just going down the toilet. Literally.
How do you get Vitamin D?Some foods, such as milk, contain vitamin D supplements, and vitamin D pills are available. The best and most natural way to get vitamin D, though, is by getting out into the sun. Don't slather on the sunscreen, either. Sunscreen interferes with UV rays, and important factor in helping your body make it's own vitamin D. How long you can stay in the sun depends on your skin color. You don't want to stay out so long that you get a sunburn or risk increasing your chances of skin cancer, of course. As with most everything, the key is moderation. About 10 to 15 minutes a day seems to be the consensus among the experts.
Stomach acid levels may play a role in calcium absorption as well. Most calcium supplements, including coral calcium, are in the form of calcium carbonate, a known antacid. High stomach acid levels may neutralize some of the calcium carbonate, making it unavailable for absorption in the intestines. It's advisable, then, to take your coral calcium supplements towards the end of a meal, when stomach acid levels are lower.
More than one in 10 Americans either has, or is at risk of developing, osteoporosis or other bone diseases. This poses a major, but largely unknown, health concern for the United States. Spurred on by concerns about cost, in both dollars and compromised lifestyle, that osteoporosis inflicts on the nation, the Surgeon General has launched a major campaign aimed at improving bone health
