"We can wipe out 90% of the diseases in America in two years: heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's - you name it." This was the attractive promise made by Robert Barefoot, an entrepreneur with a hefty sum of cash invested in this calcium from coral reefs, which is used as a dietary supplement and alternative treatment for a number of conditions.

You know the saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is." Well, with regard to these calcium supplements, it is no exception. In 2004, the FDA slammed coral calcium as a "fake Cancer cure" that consumers should avoid. Even so, this mineral continues to capture a large portion of the $18-billion supplement industry.

The problem with the calcium from coral is that the market became "the next best thing" for those looking to make a quick buck. Miraculous cures can be tempting for entrepreneurs because they typically swell with an enormous tidal wave of publicity that can drive sales to epic proportions, making many people rich along the way and offering early retirement often before the public catches onto the treachery. There is no doubt that calcium supplements are good for you.

This macro mineral is very prevalent in the human body, primarily in the bones and teeth but also found in blood plasma too. Responsible for more than 300 intercellular processes, it is essential for Osteoporosis prevention and overall bone health, not to mention regulating the body's natural processes. Having a body packed full of nutrients, vitamins and minerals will undoubtedly create a healthier you, although "miracles" are far and few between.

It's true that having low calcium can be the cause of many ailments. At worst, your bones will become soft; you'll hunch over, break bones easily and become extremely fragile. You may have trouble sleeping, experience stomach cramps, high blood pressure, eye twitches, muscle spasms and tooth decay.

For people who suffer these adverse consequences of calcium deficiency, it is true that coral calcium can seem to be a miraculous cure. However, there are many other cheaper ways to get your calcium supplement, including multi-vitamins, calcium carbonate pills, TUMS, dairy products and veggies.

Skeptics argue that there are some hidden dangers in supplements that contain calcium from coral. While the industry is regulated within Japan, the export market still operates largely under the radar. Coral near Okinawa, Japan, is believed to contain large amounts of lead and mercury contamination, which may lead to health complications.

This calcium should be properly refined before finding its way into a bottle, rather than simply being crushed into powder and sold. Yet, neither the dangers nor the benefits of this type of supplement have been sufficiently validated with research, so the debate continues.