72 Trace Minerals From Coral
Also known as: 72 Trace Minerals From Coral, Coral-derived trace elements, Marine coral minerals, Coral Trace Minerals
Overview
Coral Trace Minerals refer to a complex mixture of trace elements derived from coral sources, containing minerals such as manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and others typically found in coral skeletons. This supplement is marketed primarily for supporting mineral balance, bone health, and overall micronutrient supplementation, sometimes also promoted for antioxidant support and resilience to oxidative stress. It contains a wide range of trace minerals in low concentrations, mimicking the natural mineral profile of coral reef environments. However, direct human clinical research on coral-derived trace mineral supplements is limited, with most existing studies focusing on coral physiology and the environmental effects of trace metals on corals. There are no high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on human supplementation identified, indicating a sparse quality of direct clinical evidence.
Benefits
No direct randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or meta-analyses on human health benefits of 72 trace minerals from coral were found in high-quality databases. While trace minerals are essential cofactors in human enzymatic processes, the bioavailability and clinical impact of coral-derived trace minerals remain unverified in human studies. Evidence from marine biology indicates that trace metals like manganese and iron are vital for coral photosynthesis and growth, enhancing physiological resilience under stress. For example, studies on coral species showed manganese increased photosynthetic efficiency by approximately 1.4-1.7% and iron improved growth rates by approximately 2.1% under controlled conditions. However, these findings do not translate to human health benefits, and no evidence from clinical trials supports benefits in specific human populations or establishes effect sizes and clinical significance for human supplementation.
How it works
In corals, trace metals like manganese and iron support photosynthetic machinery and antioxidative enzymes, contributing to their physiological resilience. In humans, trace minerals generally act as cofactors for a wide array of enzymes involved in metabolism, antioxidant defense, and various cellular functions. Theoretically, coral-derived minerals would contribute to mineral homeostasis if bioavailable, but their specific absorption mechanisms and metabolic pathways in humans are not documented. There are no direct human molecular targets identified for coral trace mineral complexes, and their absorption and bioavailability in the human body are currently unknown, potentially varying based on processing and formulation.
Side effects
There are no reported adverse effects from coral trace mineral supplementation documented in the scientific literature. However, this absence of reported side effects is largely due to the significant lack of human safety data from randomized controlled trials. Consequently, common, uncommon, or rare side effects have not been documented. Specific drug interactions are unknown, though trace minerals in general can interact with certain medications, such as chelation with antibiotics; no specific data exists for coral-derived minerals. Contraindications have not been established. Caution is advised for special populations, particularly those with pre-existing mineral metabolism disorders, due to the unknown safety profile and lack of clinical research.
Dosage
The minimum effective dose for human health benefits of coral trace minerals has not been established. Similarly, optimal dosage ranges and maximum safe doses are currently unknown due to the lack of human clinical research. There are no established timing considerations for supplementation, nor are there form-specific recommendations. Factors influencing absorption and bioavailability, as well as any required cofactors for optimal efficacy, remain undetermined. Without robust human studies, specific dosing guidelines cannot be provided, and any current recommendations are speculative and not evidence-based.
FAQs
Is coral-derived trace mineral supplementation effective for human health?
Currently, there is no high-quality clinical evidence from human studies to support the efficacy of coral-derived trace mineral supplementation for human health.
Is it safe to take?
No specific safety concerns have been documented, but the lack of human clinical data means its safety profile is not well-established, warranting caution.
How quickly do benefits appear?
Due to the absence of human clinical trials, there is no data available regarding the time course for any potential benefits to appear.
Are all 72 minerals necessary?
The necessity and specific contribution of each of the 72 minerals in this complex for human health have not been defined or studied.
Can it replace other mineral supplements?
There is no evidence to support that coral trace minerals are equivalent to or superior to other established mineral supplements.
Research Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?linkname=pubmed_pubmed_citedin&from_uid=40112507 – This experimental study on coral species (Turbinaria irregularis and Montipora mollis) demonstrated that moderate concentrations of manganese and iron improved photosynthetic efficiency and growth rates under controlled conditions. While highlighting the importance of trace metals in coral physiology, this research does not address human health effects or supplementation.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36183766/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on the effects of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus on coral performance. It showed complex nutrient impacts on coral physiology, emphasizing the nuanced role of trace elements in coral ecosystems, but did not include data on human supplementation.
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0226631 – This review of coral restoration projects examined ecological outcomes and methodologies. While it underscores the ecological importance of coral mineral composition for reef health, it does not provide any clinical or human supplementation data related to coral trace minerals.
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