You probably know that calcium is a mineral that is vital for the building and maintenance of strong bones and teeth and for promoting healthy gums. However, did you know that calcium supplementation can aid in:

•  correcting muscle contractions and preventing cramps
•  blood clotting
•  maintenance of the cell membrane and its permeability
•  maintenance of regular heart beat and preventing cardiovascular disease
•  transmission of the nerve impulse
•  lowering cholesterol and blood pressure
•  bone loss prevention associated with osteoporosis
•  healthy skin and
•  preventing many degenerative diseases

These are just a few of the areas in the body that use calcium for maintenance and strengthening. In total, more than 200 diseases can be helped or prevented by adequate calcium intake and absorption. This includes major and degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and arthritis.

For an overview of the foods that contain calcium, view the Ohio State University fact sheet or the Vegetarian Resource Group site. To learn a little more about minerals or calcium visit these two Oregon State University sites.

With the current popularity of using calcium from coral sources, I encourage you to take a look at Acktiva's site on coral calcium which contains useful information on Okinawa's coral calcium which can be harvested both above sea level and below sea level (marine grade). Here you will find support for the theory that coral calcium supplements may be superior to regular calcium supplements. The information presented should help you decide which form of coral calcium might be suitable to your needs.

My research leads me to conclude that above-sea-level coral calcium is the safest form of this supplement and also the most environmentally friendly. 

[Editor's Note: During my research on coral calcium, I was particularly impressed by the Certificate of Analysis verifying the trace elements found in the Acktiva product, and I will soon test run the product to see what benefits are realized and pass this information on to you.]

X-tend Life is another company featuring nutritional supplements, including coral calcium. They use above sea Okinawan coral calcium and combine it with red and green phytonutrients. They post this supplement under both the anti-aging, weight loss and energy categories.

Their 9-page free report entitled "Coral Calcium... Facts and Fiction" is a must read as it reviews what coral calcium is, looks at some of the incredible claims made by the promoters of coral calcium and then offer an analyses of the potential benefits of the product. Once you go to the site, click on "Special Reports" on the left hand menu. (Note: you will need to join the newsletter to get the free report, but its not a bad deal considering the info you get. Also, I've been a subscriber for some time now and know that they don't just send you emails unless they have something of value to say. Still, you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)

My Experience with the Products:

I have tried both the Acktiva product (which comes in pill form) and the Super Phytonutrients / Coral Calcium product available from X-Tend Life (which comes in powder form), and my preference is for the powdered product from X-tend Life.

I liked the fact that results from the powdered product seemed to be more immediate (i.e. I could feel a difference in as little as 10-15 minutes after ingestion with the powdered product), and it seemed to be a very potent product. So potent, in fact, that I have taken to using it for relief of pain associated with cramping during that time of the month. The pain relief is predictable and immediate and it keeps me from having to swallow any of my prescribed high-dosage anti-inflammatory pain meds.

Suffice it to say I have been impressed with this product and some others I get from X-Tend Life. 

Super Phytonutrients / Coral Calcium
Get it at X-Tend Life