Is Coral Calcium A Miracle Cure?

Q. I have a friend who is enthusiastic about coral calcium. She claims it is supposed to cure aches, pains and almost anything else. It’s pretty hard to believe it could do all that. Is coral calcium really any better for you than other calcium supplements?
A. Coral calcium is basically calcium carbonate (the same compound found in Tums and other popular supplements). Some formulations may contain additional minerals, but a recent analysis by ConsumerLab.com found that one heavily advertised brand of coral calcium contains more lead than is considered safe.
The Federal Trade Commission is concerned about some of the claims being made for coral calcium. The agency charges that statements that the product can treat or cure cancer or other diseases go beyond the scientific evidence.