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Due to numerous inquiries about the use of coral calcium from Okinawa Japan to treat cancer, heart disease, hypertension and a multitude of other health problems we have issued a position statement that will set forth the evidence regarding the purported miraculous therapeutic benefits of Okinawa coral calcium. The Evidence About Okinawa Coral Calcium Supplements:Calcium: The Good NewsEvidence from recent studies using calcium supplements (not necessarily calcium from coral) have indicated that calcium may be good for the heart, may help to lower blood pressure in about one-third of people with hypertension and may improve blood lipid levels. These calcium research studies have been reported in scientific journals and widely quoted in newspapers such as the New York Times. Unfortunately, many of these studies have been quoted of out context by individuals touting the supposed miraculous benefits of coral calcium. Outrageous claims such as "90 % of all cancers are the result of calcium deficiency" (as was recently claimed in one popular television infomercial) are simply not supported by the scientific evidence. Nor is all the evidence about calcium good. Calcium: The Bad NewsResearch from recent calcium studies has shown that too much calcium may not be helpful for preventing fractures associated with osteoporosis and may in fact be linked to increased odds of developing prostate cancer in men. The research from seven long-term prospective studies done in Europe and the US has not shown any important reduction in risk of fractures with increasing calcium intake. Nine separate studies provide research that shows the strongest and most consistent nutritional factor linked with prostate cancer was high consumption of milk or dairy products. This is hypothesized to be due to high calcium levels inhibiting vitamin D absorption. Higher vitamin D intake has been linked to lower risk for prostate cancer. These observations have yet to be tested in rigorous research trials. For a good summary see The Harvard Health Letter, which recently warned: "If you're looking for consistency in health advice, don't pay too much attention to the studies of calcium intake and cancer." Okinawa's Drinking Water and Longevity: The EvidenceMost of the health claims being made about coral calcium from Okinawa are based on the fact that the Okinawans are among the world's longest lived people and supposedly drink water containing coral calcium. Although Okinawa may have the world's highest concentration of centenarians, as well as extremely low mortality rates from diseases common in the West such as coronary heart disease, breast and prostate cancers, research shows that it has very little to do with their drinking water, as we explain in detail in our book "The Okinawa Program". Although drinking hard water (high mineral content that includes calcium, magnesium and other minerals) gives the Okinawans a boost in their calcium intakes, they still fall far below the calcium intakes of most Western countries. Calcium Intake in Okinawa is Lower than in the US: The EvidenceThe fact is that when it comes to calcium in the diet, research shows that the United States is actually near the top of the list at about 800 mg per day (USDA 1996) with the Scandinavian countries, such as Finland (1300+mg day) being the world's leaders in calcium consumption. Okinawans actually consume less calcium than their Western counterparts. The average calcium intake in Okinawa is only about 500 mg a day (1998 Okinawa Prefecture Health and Nutrition Survey). This is a far cry from claims of "100,000 mg of calcium a day" for the average Okinawan as claimed in a recent TV infomercial. Why the Okinawans Live Long: The EvidenceThe real reasons for the health and longevity phenomenon in Okinawa are multiple but include the following:
We do not endorse coral calcium supplements from Okinawa for the following reasons:
The Okinawan Reef CrisisAnd lastly, Okinawa's reefs are facing an unprecedented crisis due to sedimentation from large scale development, global warming and pollution. Over half have been lost in the last five years. We, at The Okinawa Centenarian Study, take the position that the reefs of Okinawa need to be protected rather than exploited.
Further Evidence
Coral Calcium research and information on coral calcium supplementation from other health experts *:
More Information on Coral Calcium and Calcium Supplements *:
* The Okinawa Centenarian Study team is not responsible for the content found in pages linked to from this site.
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The world's coral reefs are the rainforests of the sea, an incredible biodiversity reservoir. They provide food for 100 million coastal peoples, are a major attraction for millions of tourists, protect coastlines and are a source of new medicines. Sadly, all over the world reefs are facing an unprecedented crisis due to over-fishing, blast and poison fishing, sedimentation, global warming and pollution. According to recent research by Reef Check, over 16% of the world's coral reefs have been lost in the last five years alone, with another 27% severely threatened. We support organizations such as Reef Check that promote conservation of the world's remaining coral reef ecosystems. For more information see 