CORAL

OTHER NAME(S):

Calcium Carbonate Matrix, Calcium de Corail, Corail, Corail de Mer, Corail Marin, Coral Calcium, Coralline Hydroxyapatite, Espèce Goniopora, Espèce Madrepora, Goniopora species, Madrepora species, Marine Coral, Matrice de Carbonate de Calcium, Porites species, Sea Coral.

Overview

Overview Information

Coral is a sea animal similar to sea anemone. Unlike sea anemone, coral produce a skeletal structure that contains calcium. Some coral live in colonies that form coral reefs. Don't confuse coral with coral root (Corallorhiza odontorhiza).

Coral is most commonly used by surgeons as a surgical replacement for bone. It is also used as a calcium supplement, for cancer, for heart disease, and for other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

How does it work?

Surgeons use coral as a replacement for bone. It seems to allow the body to grow new bone in its place.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Likely Effective for

  • Use as a surgical replacement for bone. Coral can be used in place of bone for spinal fusions and bone tumors. It can also be used in dental, facial, and other surgeries. Coral offers some advantages over bone transplants. It has a lower rate of infection and doesn't carry the risk of transmitting HIV, hepatitis, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Insufficient Evidence for

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of coral for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if coral is safe. Some coral products contain lead.

When used as a bone substitute: Coral is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in surgery as a bone substitute. Some people might get an infection, but this is a possibility in any surgery.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if coral is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

Interactions?

We currently have no information for CORAL Interactions.

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of coral depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for coral. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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View References

REFERENCES:

  • Bizette, C., Raul, J. S., Orhan, B., Jacquet, G., and Czorny, A. [Results of cervical interbody fusion with coral grafts]. Neurochirurgie 1999;45(1):4-14. View abstract.
  • Boutault, F., Cantaloube, D., Testelin, S., Gueroult, J. M., and Huet, P. [Role of coral blocks in cheek augmentation surgery. Prospective study of 23 patients]. Ann.Chir Plast.Esthet. 1997;42(3):216-222. View abstract.
  • Jordan, D. R., Gilberg, S., Mawn, L., Brownstein, S., and Grahovac, S. Z. The synthetic hydroxyapatite implant: a report on 65 patients. Ophthal.Plast.Reconstr.Surg. 1998;14(4):250-255. View abstract.
  • Mercier, J., Piot, B., Gueguen, P., Cantaloube, D., Blanc, J. L., Boutault, F., Cariou, J. L., Devauchelle, B., Pellerin, P., Peri, G., Ricbourg, B., Stricker, M., and Wilk, A. [The coral orbital floor. Its value in traumatology. The results of a multicenter study of 83 cases]. Rev.Stomatol.Chir Maxillofac. 1996;97(6):324-331. View abstract.
  • Banu J, Varela E, Guerra JM, et al. Dietary coral calcium and zeolite protects bone in mouse model for postmenopausal bone loss. Nutr Res. 2012;32(12):965-75. View abstract.
  • Barrett S. Coral Calcium. June 12, 2003. https://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/coral.html (Accessed 26 June 2003).
  • Federal Trade Commission. FTC and FDA Take New Actions in Fight Against Deceptive Marketing. https://www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/06/trudeau.htm (Accessed 28 July 2003).
  • Marchac D, Sandor G. Use of coral granules in the craniofacial skeleton. J Craniofac Surg 1994;5:213-7. View abstract.
  • Roux FX, Brasnu D, Menard M, et al. Madreporic coral for cranial base reconstruction. 8 years experience. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 1995;133:201-205. View abstract.
  • Schulz A, Hilgers RD, Niedermeier W. The effect of splinting of teeth in combination with reconstructive periodontal surgery in humans. Clin Oral Investig 2000;4:98-105.. View abstract.
  • Thalgott JS, Klezl Z, Timlin M, Giuffre JM. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion with processed sea coral (coralline hydroxyapatite) as part of a circumferential fusion. Spine 2002;27:E518-25.. View abstract.
  • Vuola J, Bohling T, Kinnunen J, et al. Natural coral as bone-defect-filling material. J Biomed Mater Res 2000;51:117-22.. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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