As the name suggests, coral calcium is the calcium salt that is derived from the dead and fossilized coral reefs. This calcium is touted to have a lot of health benefits by many. However, the fact that they are associated with the waters or seas and oceans that are polluted due to release of harmful substances is enough to set a rational mind thinking about the probable side effects of coral calcium. Benefits Calcium is an important mineral for the body that is crucial for the proper development of bones and teeth. Besides this, it is required for healthy muscles and proper functioning of the nerves. But, what makes coral calcium score above other calcium supplements, is the fact that it contains a wider array of the major and trace elements that are required for the body. These elements are present in the optimum ratios that are required for our health. It is also believed to cleanse the kidneys, liver, and the intestines. Its health benefits include its ability to regulate blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and ensure that our heartbeat does not fluctuate. It maintains optimum alkalinity for good health, and ensures that the nervous system works efficiently. However, it is important to understand that the hype about this mineral is not substantiated with solid scientific evidence, and there are certain side effects of that we should be aware of. Side Effects The most common side effects (on health) are gastrointestinal problems like constipation, excess gas formation, and intestinal bloating. This nutritional supplement may also cause kidney stones in individuals who have problem in forming calcium-containing stones. Increased fluid intake, and taking these supplements with meals can reduce the harmful effects of the mineral. The best way to avoid the side effects is to take it within the recommended dosages. Also, one should take the supplement only after consulting his physician. It is believed to carry as many as 70 important minerals. However, since these minerals come from the sea, possibility of it containing poisonous elements can't be ruled out. Corals and seashells are porous elements that absorb all that is present in the waters around them, including toxic materials. Studies have shown that corals contain minerals like strontium, manganese, and also uranium, all of which are harmful for humans. Hence, there is no guarantee that these harmful elements are not entering our bodies through the supplements. Although it is processed before it is available for human consumption, it is the very same processing procedures that renders the nutrient unavailable to the body, which cannot be trusted fully. Other than the side effects that have implications on our health, there are environmental side effects as well. It is obtained by grinding the coral and then heating the grains to 1000 °F. It is obtained from the ground coral deposits that were once part of a coral reef. The mineral comes either from fossilized coral beds buried in the 'pristine' desert, or from the fossilized coral sands that accumulate on the sea floor. Although there are tough laws guarding them due to their ecological significance, there is no guarantee that these laws are strictly monitored all over the world. This leaves the possibility of mining live corals to obtain calcium which could have devastating environmental impact as corals take millions of years to form. Although calcium is important for proper bone and teeth development, and also in certain functions of the body, coral calcium does not have any ability to cure diseases as claimed by many companies. Such claims are actually not backed by any scientific evidence. Apart from the negative effects of coral calcium on health, environmental implications of its removal from the seabed are points worth considering.