Alert! Coral Calcium Supplements Scam

Written by Gloria Tsang, RD

The "discoverer" of coral calcium Dr Robert Barefoot claimed that the reasons Okinawans from Japan live longer was due to the fact that they have been drinking water rich in coral reef substances surrounding Okinawa. In addition, Dr Barefoot also suggested that coral calcium can "neutralize" the toxic acidity of our bodies as coral calcium is alkaline base. According to the coral calcium infomercial, taking coral calcium can cure up to 200 human diseases including heart disease, cancer, diabetes etc.

Coral Calcium can cure all! That is the message that Dr Barefoot wants to sell and we should be wary of it. In addition to maintaining healthy bones, calcium is essential in the healthy functioning of the circulatory and nervous systems. However, there is no evidence that calcium can cure any diseases. There is also no evidence that alkalinizing our bodies can stop cancer or reverse any ailments. In addition, coral reef is protected by international laws and hence it is likely that these coral calcium supplements came from fossilized coral beds i.e. industrial waste.

Indeed, coral calcium is composed of mostly calcium carbonate, just like those you found in Tums or other calcium carbonate supplements from the stores! In addition, in June 2003, the Federal Trade Commission FTC has charged the marketers of Coral Calcium Supreme with making false and unsubstantiated claims about the product's health benefits. In Sept 2004, the marketer for Coral Calcium Supreme Kevin Trudeau (who has previously been jailed for credit card and financial fraud) was banned from appearing in other health-related informercials. For the details of these charges, visit www.ftc.gov.

In January 2005, the Consumer Reports tested 2 brands of coral calcium supplements - both did not meet the California state's lead standard.