Top Ten

In no particular order:

  1. Mag 10(haven’t tried it yet< but am pump-dittily-umped)
  2. Protein Powder (cur. Pro Blend 55)
  3. Omega Gold fish oil
  4. Vitamin C
  5. Tribex 500(one of my favorites)
  6. Multi Vit/Mineral
  7. Plain Ol’ Creatine
  8. Ephedrine/Caffeine occasionally

Others : I had Androsol(only gained a pound, but felt great and had some strength gains). ZMA< possibly helped with sleep, but not like cutting out the stack. Ibuprofen, it’s been there when needed. Milk Thistle, gotta keep the liver clean.

As for the coral calcium, there was a doctor on TV laughing about it, saying they didn’t even use it where it’s supposedly from. I’m pretty convinced that anything marketed on afternoon TV(like coral calcium) is way over hyped.

Shit, forgot Hi-Lignan Flax Oil

DocT,

Your response is almost exactly the type of response many of the medical establishment has had for people who believe that something as simple as vitamins, minerals and a proper diet can cure and prevent disease. This type of stuff is even shown in Barefoot’s book, “Death by Diet.” Are you a medical doctor? Just curious.

As for coral calcium, it is different from other calcium supplements because most of them do not get absorbed and used by the body. Coral calcium is the only true calcium supplement that is readily absorbed and used.

I wholeheartedly believe that vitamins, minerals (i.e. calcium) and a proper diet can prevent and cure all diseases (unless someone is already too far into it to be cured). This is even shown from many different studies that have happened since ancient times. No one knows this because the medical establishment shuns away the use of simple methods so they can profit from their drugs and medications that they are so eager to give to anyone suffering from any ailiment.

Even before reading “Death by Diet,” I knew that eating and living healthy (and taking my vitamins!) would keep me (and others) safe from cancer and other diseases. It’s just too bad that most of our society has no clue because most doctors don’t know the truth, or they want to make more money, so they don’t use simple methods. A nutritionist can make recommendations regarding diet that are on target, as most doctors are still practicing and recommending outdated information. Like the RDA’s recommendations for vitamins and minearls. It is far too low for someone’s daily needs. Not to mention that with fast food, white flour, white sugar and other processed junk readily available, being healthy is harder to do unless you really know what’s good for you or not.

T-mag is a great source of information, but most people who come here are only interested in looking good. They don’t always take into consideration the health aspects. That’s something that has been important to me since I was 14. I live, practice and preach a healthy lifestyle with diet and nutrition. Is everything I do healthy? Probably not. I’m sure use of things like prosteroids may not be the healthiest thing to do to my body, but I think with proper education and science to back it up, I can use supplements like that without harming my health. And besides that, I don’t think I do anything that would not be healthy, as I eat properly, don’t smoke, drink or use drugs, and practice other “healthy habits.”

DocT,

I forgot, here is a good link to check out regarding Coral Calcium.

http://www.barefoot-coral-calcium-plus.com/

By the way, I’m not attacking you in my last post. I’m just pointing out some things that I think need reference to.

Nate, I’m hardly “the medical establishment.” Actually, I’d say that I’m far more liberal about believing things outside of the medical mainstream than most docs. However, that doesn’t mean that I think every new miracle product that comes along cures everything. I still wait for relevant research to bear out some of these claims.

Like I said, I do believe that a proper diet and lifestyle can ward off many diseases. I don’t believe you can avoid everything however, as it’s much more complicated than that.

“Coral calcium is the only true calcium supplement that is readily absorbed and used.”

This is simply not true. Yes, the studies that I’ve read say that coral calcium is absorbed better than calcium carbonate. No, that doesn’t mean it’s the only kind “readily absorbed and used.” BIG difference.

“I wholeheartedly believe that vitamins, minerals (i.e. calcium) and a proper diet can prevent and cure all diseases (unless someone is already too far into it to be cured).”

I’m sorry, but this is just wrong also. I could list about 50 (and there are probably hundreds) diseases that all the prevention in the world will not prevent, nor will they cure. This statement is not based on conjecture, but pure, hard science and a knowledge of disease processes. If you’d like, I can provide a few examples.

“This is even shown from many different studies that have happened since ancient times. No one knows this because the medical establishment shuns away the use of simple methods so they can profit from their drugs and medications that they are so eager to give to anyone suffering from any ailiment.”

Sorry, but more BS. This anti-medical “establishment” attitude is just as harmful as accepting everything a doctor says. I, and many others, use whatever method works, period. If that’s a cheap generic drug, so be it. If it’s not, then that’s fine as well. Doctors don’t profit from the drugs that they prescribe. I’m not sure where you’re getting this from.

“Even before reading “Death by Diet,” I knew that eating and living healthy (and taking my vitamins!) would keep me (and others) safe from cancer and other diseases.”

You might still get cancer. That’s not being alarmist or ignorant. That’s the truth. Are you less likely to get certain types of cancer because of your lifestyle? Absolutely. The problem is that “cancer” isn’t one thing. That’s the reason there will never be a cure for “cancer.” There are people with a genetic predisposition to getting certain types of cancer. Some of these people have a 100% chance of getting cancer regardless of what they do. Them’s the facts.

“It’s just too bad that most of our society has no clue because most doctors don’t know the truth, or they want to make more money, so they don’t use simple methods.”

We’ve been over this, and it’s sad that you think that because it’s not the truth whether you believe it or not.

“A nutritionist can make recommendations regarding diet that are on target, as most doctors are still practicing and recommending outdated information. Like the RDA’s recommendations for vitamins and minearls. It is far too low for someone’s daily needs. Not to mention that with fast food, white flour, white sugar and other processed junk readily available, being healthy is harder to do unless you really know what’s good for you or not.”

Absolutely agree.

“T-mag is a great source of information, but most people who come here are only interested in looking good. They don’t always take into consideration the health aspects.”

Since when, Nate? Last I checked, the average poster on the forum is greatly concerned about general health as well as physical goals. I think you do us a great disservice with a statement like that.

Like you said, this isn’t a personal attack on you. You said a few things that I found offensive to me personally (as a member of the “medical establishment”), but I will not reply in any personal manner. I do, however, find some of your statements to be blatantly false. Your perception of the medical community is off-based, and I’m not sure where you’re getting your info. Mine is firsthand. You’re also very willing to beleive all the hype about coral calcium (that WAS the original topic here) without much proof. I looked at the site you provided, and frankly, it said nothing that any other site selling something wouldn’t say. I looked for the “boatloads of research” often quoted on these sites and got nothing more than a few studies showing increased absorption. No cancer prevention or cure. No blood pressure control studies. Nada.

So my question to you is, “Are you simply taking their word for it without a shred of proof?”

DocT,

You are correct that I did not back up the claims I made with specific information. Some are just my own personal opinion and experiences and others are based on information I’ve read throughout the years, but I don’t have the info on hand to cite properly or back up every detail.

I’m going on a “hunch” that vitamins and minerals (i.e. coral calcium) can make a huge difference in a healthy lifestyle and cure and or prevent many diseases. I’ve also read many things that have said the same thing.

You are right, I did say Coral Calcium is the only absorable calcium supplement, and I knew this was not the case, but I misinterpreted it. I should have said that “it is one of the few calcium supplements that is properly absorbed and utilized by the body.”

I agree, some people may get cancer no matter what. But I seriously think that if everyone followed a healthy diet and lifestyle, there would be a huge decrease in the amount of cancer cases. I’ve also read about this in “Death by Diet.”

Also, why do people say to stay away from the sun? The sun is one of the best sources of vitamin D and K. The body needs the sun in order to produce these vitamins in much higher quantities than the RDA recommendations and it is safe to do so. Yes, everything in moderation is the key, but there are many people who are in the sun much more than the average person, yet the rate of skin cancer is extremely low. And no, they aren’t using sun screen. Just an example.

Although most T-mag readers pursue a healthy lifestyle (healthier than most, obviously), I seriously don’t believe that everyone does. When your main goal is to lift weights to get big, or get super lean, and do so without taking into account all the aspects of health, then you are not living a healthy lifestyle.

A healthy lifestyle is more than lifting weights, doing a couple cardio sessions and using supplements. A healthy lifestyle also ensures a proper (healthy) diet, no excessive drinking, smoking, or use of drugs, as well as focusing on other aspects of life including relationships with friends, family, significant others and for some, spiritual development.

Regardless of whether you or I agree on some of the things I said, vitamins, minerals and a healthy diet are key to being healthy and preventing disease. I believe in Coral Calcium from what I’ve experienced. The good things that they say it will do is just an extra positive.

DocT- I have to say that I see your side on subjects (though maybe not agree completely) the one thing that I dont understand is that you always come out to disprove a supplement or put doubt about supplements. Yet, you do not respond with what should be taken. If coral aint all that, what form is? If you cant say, then why dis coral? Again, Im learning and wanting to know more, so if you are a doctor you should be able to tell, right? Im not attacking at all I just want to know what you would say TO take, rather than just what NOT TO take.

Calcium citrate is absorbed fairly well.

I forgot to place coral calcium on my list as well. I have been taking cc for a year and it definitely has helped me with joint pain. Great product. I take the Kal brand in powder format.

Mike Mahler

I have no intention of taking sides in this debate on coral calcium, I have just a couple things to say on the subject:

When I first heard about this product, I thought it was a scam because of the somewhat outlandish claims they were making for it (curing cancer, etc.). Then it is not only just available on the late night infomercials but all the companies start bringing it to the market, and I started to have a bit more faith in it.

At my store, this product is literally impossible to keep on the shelves, and we have had it long enough to get repeat customers and some feedback positive or negative. The response has been overwhelmingly positive on it so far.

I have used it for a month now as I have had some nagging tendonitis and I didn’t want to use glucosamine because of its supposed negative effect on insulin resistance, and I am completely healed. I had the nagging pain for over a month and it is now completely gone. Maybe it’s partially because I was also taking MSM, and maybe it’s partially because I avoided any exercises that caused direct pain, but all I know is the pain is gone and I’m feeling much better.

My grandmother was suffering from pretty bad leg cramps and hadn’t been feeling well, so I bought her a bottle and within four days, the cramps were gone for good. She’s sold on it.

This is not an advertisement for coral calcium as I could care less if anyone uses it or not. And while I am still skeptical about some of the claims they are making for it, this is my take: I think it is definitely a better choice than your standard calciums (carbonate etc.), and if it really isn’t worth a damn as some are saying, then there sure is a hell of a placebo effect going around because the majority of people who have taken it have noticed a difference, and I can’t remember the last time someone came in raving about how well CitraCal or OsCal worked for them.

DaStudent, I don’t think the question here is what to take and what not to take. DocT is simply saying that Coral Calcium is not going to cure someone of cancer, nor of heart disease, parkinsons or the many other diseases that the infomercials claim it cures. Go ahead and take it, Calcium is generally good for you, but don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s the miracle cure that the “evil, profit hungry doctors” don’t want you to know about. It’s frustrating for me, even though I’m not a doctor, that someone with even the most elementary of education in biology and chemistry can see these claims for what they’re really worth, and yet so many people believe in smoke and mirrors. Anyway I went off on a tangent, no one said not to take Coral Calcium, but depending on your budget you might be better off just making sure you choose the multi-vitamin that contains the proper amount of calcium for your individual needs if you’re really concerned about your calcium intake. And BTW, no disrespect to anyone, but I’ll take hard facts and repeatable experimentation over personal hunches any day…that’s just me.

Nate, I appreciate your reply to what I wrote. Again, I hope it didn’t sound like anything personal.

I believe your response is filled with many truths that I may have miscontrued earlier. I think that your original post was filled with absolutes, while this one was more moderate in your statements. All things in moderation, right?

Anyway, I’m not dismissing coral calcium as garbage. I just want to see some evidence to back up the claims. Anecdotal evidence, while not the best source, has its place anytime. That’s why I also appreciate hearing your story and Mike Mahler’s story as well.

Just trying to get to the bottom of things as always.

DaStudent, this place is full of information about what TO take. I leave it up to people with much more knowledge about these things than I.

It’s also not hard to figure out what has scientific evidence backing it up. Information is readily available on the internet to all.

Wow- I had no intention of hijacking this thread with a simple query to Nate D!


Anyway, Nate, DocT, Mike M, Monty, et al. thanks for some nice input.


To DocT- I do agree that some real scientific evidence would be good here. Perhaps if these type of anecdotal reports continue we’ll see something soon along these lines?


However, although I am also certainly NOT anti-conventional medicine, I AM realistic: Unfortunately I fear that unless one of the big drug companies thinks they can make a buck or two out of this one, those controlled studies will remain undone. SRS

DocT,

I didn’t take it as a personal attack. You were right, my first post had many absolutes, and I should have clarified or constructed my thoughts differently. Everything in moderation!

Hey, I had originally purchased the Coral Calcium for joint pain. I happened to learn of all the other potential positive affects after the fact and from reading “Death by Diet.” So whether or not every claim is true, there is no doubt in my mind that Coral Calcium (and other vitamins and minerals) are very important for the body and to help prevent and even cure some diseases and ailments.

Now, if only I could find some high-quality multi-vitamins that actually work and absorb like they are supposed to! Any recommendations?

Try a net search on LifePak by Pharmanex. I tried it for a month once, but I can’t say I noticed much difference. However, I read about many other people having very good experience with this product.

LifePak by Pharmanex is waaaaay overpriced! It sells for over $100cdn for a month’s supply and recently it was tested against over 200 other multis in the highly respected “Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements(2nd edition)” by Lyle MacWilliam. LifePak ranked 83rd. Don’t waste your money. What were the top 5?- 1/Usana Essentials, 2/Source Naturals Life Force, 3/Sportpharma Multiguard, 4/Karuna Corp. Maxxum 4, 5/Sierra Health 7 Nutri. Fortify.–As for the hoopla about Coral Calcium? I’ve never tried it personally, but a good friend owns and operates a health shop here that has been in business for over 35 years(he was also very close friends with Linus Pauling) and tells me that it is not any better than calcium citrate(which is the best absorbed form of calcium to date). I was further influenced by reading an article written by researcher Dr. Bill Sardi which you can read on his website. Go to billsardi.com and look for the article on Coral Calcium. The truth is ugly! To those that have found success with it, what can I say, stick with it, but the science behind it(or lack thereof) doesn’t stick with me.

Nate definitely try the USANA multi-vitamin. Ian King recommends them for a reason! I’m not a distributor or anything but the first time I took some I could tell a difference in the way I felt within 2 days and I can always tell when I run out, even when replacing their intake with other multi-vitamins their is no comparison.

  1. Usana Essentials
  2. Low Carb Grow
  3. Zero Carb Isopure
  4. Fish Body OIl
  5. Flaxseed Oil
  6. Mag-10
  7. Surge
  8. MSM Glucosamine
  9. Creapure Creatine

Since we’re now on the subject of vitamins, what about the OptiPack from Super Nutrition? I haven’t tried yet, but have heard very positive feedback from those who have tried.