Some say it works. The marketers of the product refer to it as “The Elixir of Life.” Others blame the manufacturer for making unsubstantiated claims about the medical supplement. The infomercial spokesperson, Bob Barefoot has been accused of misleading consumers about the efficacy of the latest “marine miracle of life”. So, who is more credible, a man named Bob Barefoot or millions of healthy coral calcium consumers?

Coral calcium infomercial host, Bob Barefoot has been seen on television touting the discovery of an ancient mineral called coral calcium. According to certain governmental agencies, the Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration, the findings about coral calcium are deemed as “false claims”. However, when the facts and marketing hype are sorted, the nutraceutical, coral calcium comes up as a victim of over-promotion.

The reality of any nutraceutical is over promotion in the way of hype. It is illegal for any pharmaceutical, over the counter pill or nutritional to make disease prevention and treatment claims. Individual testimonials are acceptable; however, euphuistic remarks are the telltale signs of false advertising. The following facts and fallacies regarding coral calcium clarify the benefits of the controversial nutritional supplement.

In certain circles, coral calcium supplements are considered a nutritional “scam.” Researchers and marine biologists have analyzed coral calcium. It is considered a valuable natural mineral supplement. Dr. Bruce Halstead, M.D. a well-known marine biologist and practicing physician authored the book "Fossil Stony Coral Minerals and Their Nutritional Application.” He has found that the minerals in coral calcium are necessary for “optimum health.”

Although, coral calcium offers health benefits in the way of building strong teeth and bones, healthy hair, improving nail growth, preventing osteoporosis, maintaining functional operations, enhancing the body’s immune system and impeding high cholesterol, there is not any scientific evidence that it terminates cancer. It is another case and point of hyped marketing that coral calcium can cure any disease.

Certain clinical research studies suggest that if the body gets more calcium than the body requires, it will eliminate the rest. However, over consumption can potentially cause an imbalance in the body. The adverse side effects associated with excessive intake of coral calcium are constipation and digestive discomfort.

It is stated on the infomercial for coral calcium, that coral calcium has a 100 percent absorption rate compared with other calcium products. It is another case of marketing hype because the absorption rate of coral calcium was evaluated in a research study with calcium carbonate, milk calcium and cow bone calcium. The study, published in the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science, found that the coral calcium group had the highest value of reserved calcium. Also, the coral calcium group had the highest absorption rate at 69.6%. Furthermore, the coral calcium group also had the highest value in HDL (good) cholesterol than the other three groups.

Propagandized sites have made a false correlation between the extended life span for Okinawans to the power of coral calcium. Coral calcium is not responsible for the long life of the Okinawan people. In medical science, vitamin and mineral intake like coral calcium are only a fraction of what determines the longevity of life. Genetics, environment, and stress are the other contributing factors. Coral calcium may be a contributor to the extended life span of the Okinawans, but it is not the primary factor.

If coral calcium posed a risk to the health of its consumers, it would be banned in the United States. If illegal amounts of lead, contaminants, or other substances were found in the product, the Food and Drug Administration would cease the production of coral calcium. Through over promotion and marketing hype, coral calcium is a nutritional supplement that has been overexposed via exaggerated marketing claims and promotional hoopla. In conclusion, coral calcium is a very valuable nutritional supplement and holistic mineral that provides many benefits to the body’s well being.