What is the Structure of a Coral Reef?

Coral reefs are sea mountains of minerals which calcium carbonate predominates, along with numerous other inorganic and organic forms of calcium. Calcium is a biological glue and an inorganic building block that is ubiquitous on the planet earth. In order to build a reef, the living coral polyps require specific climatic and ecological conditions. Indeed, coral reefs are most preponderant in warm waters of the ocean which have a range of temperature from 20 degrees C to 30 degrees C, approximately.

Without sunlight the living infrastructure of organisms on the reef that use photosynthesis for nutrition cannot survive. These photosynthetic organisms (zooanthellae-algae) are quite primitive, but efficient in forming a basic nutrient source for the food chain of the reef dwellers. Some marine organisms rely heavily on the photosynthesizing organisms. For example, coral reef sponges obtain the bulk of their nutrients from these organisms and some species of jellyfish harbor photosynthesizes in their tentacles.

Of the vast number of species of coral, two distinct, basic types are recognized. These are the reef-building stony corals and the more delicate soft corals that have an inner skeleton. Not all corals from aggregations into colonies and many soft corals live among the stony corals.

The most interesting aspect of coral is their different and versatile ability to reproduce. They can reproduce by budding in an asexual manner and many polyps can form with remaining connections to its forerunner. Once a year, the corals may spawn filling areas of the reef with massive amounts of eggs and sperm (the reefs are submerged in a cloud if sperm and eggs) which attract plankton eating fish and mammals.

Oceanographers refer to several distinct types of coral reef. The coral reefs in Okinawa are associated with dormant underwater volcanoes and they tend to grow outwards to maintain their submersion in the seas. Fringing reefs are found in the Caribbean and the Great Barrier Reef and related grow along coastal plains which are raised from the seabed. Reefs can grow with amazing variations in architecture that is shaped by the geological circumstances and climate of the ocean.

For the best source for marine grade coral calcium, we recommend Robert Barefoot Coral Calcium.

Structure of Coral – Calcium

Corals belong to the phylum (group) of marine organisms called Cnidaria (Coelenterata) which also includes jellyfish, sea anemones and hydroids. These organisms tend to be symmetrical with digestive tract that has one single opening. They process a “nematocyst” or stinging apparatus which contains and protects the coral polyp with venom of varying potency.

The stony corals are named because they secrete a supporting exoskeleton (outside hard structure). This stony covering contains the soft structures of the living coral polyps. These living corals form reefs which support a large biomass. In tropical waters and some temperate zones theses corals proliferate to a vast degree that builds islands.

A classic example of this geographical phenomenon is the infrastructure of the islands chains in and around Okinawa, Japan.

Coral calcium is derived from reef-building coral and it is harvested from the pristine waters off the Nansei Islands (Rukuyuku and Satsunan), Japan. These islands spread towards the south east from the southern tip of Japan’s main land mass towards Taiwan.  Using careful, harvesting techniques that are sustaining for the environment, several companies collect and process coral calcium for use as a food supplement. The Japanese government supervises this collection process and they provide special certification to certain types of coral.

Under a microscope, coral appears as tubes, horns and honey combs. It has the appearance of an abandoned city. Coral calcium has been officially recognized by the Japanese government as a valuable food supplement. This official standing was registered by Japan in July 1989, but the coral sands have enjoyed thousands of years of local use as an important source of health giving nutrients in the diet of Okinawans.

It was discovered by the early Spanish explorers, 500 years ago, who filled their ship holds with the coral sands. The chemists in Spain, attempting to discover the reason for its miraculous curative properties, discovered that the main ingredient was calcium, so they renamed it “coral calcium.” Today, tens of millions of people around the world consume coral calcium daily.

So, join us, one of the millions who use Coral Calcium to supplement our diets with essential minerals and nutrients only nature could provide.

Bob’s Coral Calcium Recommendation Found Here.

Reciprocal Harmony of Life in the Seas

The sea contains a massive expanse of life which it supports by its content of “free-floating” minerals and bio-active, nutritional compounds. Water provides an ideal communication pathway for messenger molecules of life. There are free floating hormones in some areas of the sea that are elaborated by certain marine organisms. These ecto-hormones (ecto means “from outside”) can be taken up by various other plants or life-forms in the ocean and cause many biological chain reactions that support the diverse array of marine inhabitants.

The chemical balance in the oceans supports life in complex ways. Therefore, one cannot be surprised by scientific reports that many marine life forms and their environmental waters or habitants, such as coral reefs, produce substances that have potent and versatile biological actions in nature. Marine compounds of various types have been found to be antifungal, antibiotic, anticancer, antiviral, growth inhibiting, analgesic, cardio-stimulatory (or inhibitory) and antangiogenic in their actions.

To add to our appreciation of the health secrets that the oceans contain is the recognition that four fifths of all life on our planet (about one half million species) lives in water. Massive amounts of suspended organic matter are incorporated into the food chain of marine organisms. Furthermore, marine organisms, such as living corals or mussels, process or expose their life cycle to thousands of tons of water. In one estimate, a small colony of mussels (ten million) can process one square mile of sea water that is 25’deep. As “big fish eats little fish” or marine organisms are used in complex food chains, the permutations of transfer of active molecules become limitless. Humankind joins this complex harmony of planetary life when it harvests the offerings of the oceans.

Coral Calcium is a true gift and benefits us greatly as a natural form of minerals and other natural components that we so desperately need to achieve optimal health.  We are not destined for pain and discomfort as we age, we are just led to believe that this is normal.  It’s not! Learn More…