CancerCompass message board discussion started by Vickie M. on 9/8/2002 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,603,0.htm Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Has anyone been using Coral Calcium along with/or instead of their treatments of chemo and radiation? If so, what kind of response have you had with this mineral supplement? My brother has esophageal cancer. I have heard of Robert Barefoot's coral calcium and was wondering if it would benefit my brother in any way. He is currently undergoing aggressive chemo and radiation therapy. He is continually getting sicker and weaker. Vickie M. Sun, 08 Sep 2002 00:00:00 GMT I have been taking Coral Calcium along with chemo for stage 3c ovarian cancer. My marker went from over 1000 down to 10 after 3 treatments. I will never know for sure how much of that was the Coral Calcium but know it didn't hurt to take it and now I'm almost afraid not to take it. My Dr. agreed it would not hurt me so if I wanted to try it to go ahead. My side effects have also been minimal. Good Luck! Jean S. Wed, 18 Sep 2002 00:00:00 GMT Dear Vicki, I have just started using the Coral Calcium treatment. I have stage 3A non-small cell lung cancer metastasizing. I can't spell that word. Well, anyway I had to track down the cesium chloride but I found it since I need to kill tumors. I had 13 radiation treatments and could not receive chemo at the time. I drink Essiac tea with bloodroot tincture also. At this point in time I am waiting still for the cesium (it should be here today) just started for sure. I have seen some benefit from the calcium. What type of food is your brother getting? He needs to get something into him because treatment makes one malnourished due to the side effects. I can't tell others what may be right for them...all I know is that I am going to fight this with "alternate" treatment because there is much evidence that shows there is success there with large numbers of people. Hope this was helpful to you and let me know what transpires. Stephanie Stephanie P. Thu, 24 Oct 2002 00:00:00 GMT Coral calcium. As an open-minded healthcare professional, I have been in contact with the company a number of times--and spoke directly to Barefoot's son-- (my patients wanted to know the truth!) regarding the effectiveness of coral calcium on cancer. I was not able to get a satisfactory answer or any research showing it's efficacy. Furthermore, I get a bit nervous about the potential hazard in taking coral calcium--mercury, PCB, or heavy metals normally found in seabeds may not be extracted. These contaminants may be very dangerous to cancer patients and others with chronic diseases. Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD Director, Holistic Nutrition Services Author, Challenge Cancer and Win! Dr. Kim Thu, 24 Oct 2002 00:00:00 GMT I spoke w/Fred Eichhorn who has an excellent vitamin therapy for cancer and is the originator of www.ncrf.org site re: coral calcium. He says it is 'ok' but his calcium he uses is bisglycinate which permits much higher absorbtion. My concern w/Barefoot is the hugh amount of websites he owns promoting his calcium so that is suspect to me. I never thought about the impurities it might have before. He might be legit but I am not sure if you are unable to check out the safety factor. Go into Fred's website. He is a cancer survivor and his therapy is 80% successful. He has a chat room with patients. Marianne S. Sat, 26 Oct 2002 00:00:00 GMT Hi Jean, I'm reading your post from Sept. 2002 regarding Coral Calcium. I too have Ovarian 3C and am starting chemo again (4th round since July 2000). I'm wondering what dosage you take of the CC, and how you are doing now? hopefully you are well. Thanks for your reply. Mary Mary M. Tue, 29 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT Wow Vicki - my brother-in-law is using the coral calcium to make alkalized water and he is doing so much better than the doctors expected. I just finished writing someone else regarding this very thing. If you still need information please email me. Nancy C. S. Tue, 27 May 2003 00:00:00 GMT A few days ago the Federal Trade Commission announced that it has charged the marketers of Coral Calcium with making false and unsubstantiated claims about the product's health benefits through television infomercials. In a separate action, the FTC charged Trudeau (the host of the infomercial) with violating a 1998 federal district court order that prohibits him from making unsubstantiated claims on any products. Looks like some people never learn. Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD, Director, Holistic Nutrition Services, Author, Challenge Cancer and Win! Dr. Kim Wed, 11 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT I too, wondered if there would be benefits in taking Coral Calcium after viewing the infomercial. I ordered it, and as advised, did the saliva test to determine where my "health" was at the time. The test strip showed "perfect health", when administered as directed. Problem was, I knew at the time, I had cancer, had surgically had first removed, followed with radiation, and at the present time of beginning the CC, it was showing up as metastasized to my lungs. So the first indication was that the entire thing may be a hoax...My test strip should have shown yellow, not blue! Then I began researching on the WEB, found that many of the statements, etc, on the infomercial were not true...I had also ordered the book...Death by Diet. Much of what is "quoted" from Medical journals, it appears, is taken out of context, in D by Diet...etc. So I now try to eat healthy, do take calcium, vitamin E, A, C, D, and feel very well, although I am presently undergoing chemo after one surgical removal of nodule from lungs. I have learned to listen, then research a lot of what I hear...many sources...before I take it wholeheartedly. Virginia C. Mon, 16 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT Didn't the same thing happen to Cancer Treatment Centers of America back in 1996? Federal Trade Commission allegated that they made false and unsubstantiated claims in advertising and promoting their cancer treatments. The FTC alleged that the respondents could not back up claims, among others, that through certain specific procedures such as "whole body hyperthermia" and "brachytherapy," they were able to successfully treat certain forms of cancer unresponsive to conventional treatment. The respondents also allegedly failed to substantiate a claim that their five-year survivorship rate had ranked among the highest recorded for cancer patients. Is the FTC aways right? Judy H. Fri, 20 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT Dear Vickie, Indeed, the FTC may not "always be right", but we at CTCA very much respect the role that FTC plays in the protection of the public from false and misleading claims of advertisers. There are certainly many of them out there, especially in the health care and pharma sectors. It is precisely because of the significant scrutiny that FTC gives these types of claims that CTCA is diligent in its efforts to ensure that its claims are fair and true. I have been in contact with Steve Kroll, our attorney at CTCA who informs that CTCA's policy is to make only claims of efficacy of protocols or treatments if proven by preponderance of independent studies. Also, CTCA complies fully with all regulatory requirements governing the use of testimonial advertising and disclaimers. CTCA is fortunate to have periodic communication with FTC attorneys regarding its advertisements. The FTC action that you reference (which concluded in 1996) involved a variety of advertisements that CTCA ran from 1989 to 1991. Just like FTC has placed an increased emphasis and has devoted an increased amount of resources to regulation of health and diet claims during the past few years, CTCA is in a different place today with regard to its advertising than it was 12 years ago. I hope this helps to clarify things. Sincerely, Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD Director, Holistic Nutrition Services Dr. Kim Thu, 26 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi! I have ovarian cancer and I would love to find out more about Coral Calcium -- can you give me more information on it? And what do you mean by alcalized water? Thank you! Oby T. Naperville, IL Oby T. Wed, 23 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi! I just read your message on CTCA and wanted to know which Coral Calcium you have been taking and how much, etc. I also have Ovarian Cancer. I was diagnosed in 7/00 with Stage III and have had two reoccurences since then. Right now, I'm doing well taking Topotecan, but darn, I hate losing my hair for the 3rd time! Also, are you on online with any ovarian support group? I'm thinking of starting one myself, because it's a very rare occasion when I meet someone else with OVCA and I believe that we all need each other. I look forward to hearing from you! Oby T. Naperville, IL Oby T. Fri, 25 Jul 2003 00:00:00 GMT I was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in Jan. and was wondering what would be the best vitamins & minerals to take. What foods should you stay away from and what is really safe to eat these days? They want me to start chemo again with either Doxal or Gemzar and I already have neuropathy, heart damage from the last taxol/carboplatin treatments. I have only been off chemo for 5 months but nodules are back in my lungs. What would be the best for me to do? Shel A. Sun, 05 Oct 2003 00:00:00 GMT Dear Vickie, I have recently completed extensive research on coral calcium. The marketers of coral calcium claim it is a cancer "cure"; which is probably why they are undergoing FTC investigation now. Unsubstantiated claims aside, coral calcium is nothing more than calcium carbonate with a few minerals added. You can obtain the same form of calcium at your drug store for much less money. Coral calcium marketers also claim that it has magical curative powers because it is harvested in areas like Okinawa, where the people rarely get sick or diseased because they "consume 100 times the RDA of minerals and vitamins". While those who live in Okinawa are indeed quite healthy, they do die of cancer and other degenerative diseases. Their longevity is probably associated with their lifestyle and indigenous diet--they don't sit on couches and eat potato chips like we tend to do! Calcium intake has been linked to reduced colon polyp formation, but these results weren't achieved by coral calcium, but by regular supplemental calcium. All said and evaluated, coral calcium is hype and expensive hype at that. Better to spend your money elsewhere. For individualized dietary recommendations, consider Cancer Resource Center over-the-phone dietary counseling. Call 800.940.2822 for details about how this service may help guide your nutrition and dietary supplement decisions. Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD Director, Holistic Nutrition Services Cancer Resource Center Author, Challenge Cancer and Win! Dr. Kim Tue, 07 Oct 2003 00:00:00 GMT I have breast cancer and have been taking Robert Barefoot's coral calcium supplements since my last chemo treatment in March. While I was undergoing chemo, my oncologist didn't want me to take any vitamins or supplements. I think the coral calcium is wonderful. I feel great. When your brother finishes chemo, I suggest he start taking it too. I took the coral calcium while I was undergoing radiation and didn't have any problems. Good luck! Lauren P. Tue, 04 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT My thoughts exactly. I was taking this daily right up till for some reason I re-read the info on the bottle and noticed printed in smaller letters at the bottom of the label "essentially lead free". This concerned me and I said to myself, "hmmmm...essentially, huh". that scared me enough to worry about it and stop taking it. Peggy A. Sat, 08 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT My wife has CLL. She was diagnosed in DEC OF 1997. We had short periods of remission between times. Jun 2002 the oncologist said I was much to up set. Her time had not come yet. Sept 2002 he said she would not live thru Christmas. She was receiving a double chemo every month as well as 2 transfusions; white count shot and most everything money could buy. Her chemo was usually given on a hemoglobin of between 8.5 and and 9.5. She was fair game for chemo 8 or over. The chemo would put her down as low as 4.5 (hospital time). Then he figured it to come in at a 6 - 6.5 after a double chemo. Hemolitic anemia developed. Yes I was scared and my wife was very sick. Oct 2002 I found on the net (University of Maryland) that to treat Hemolitic anemia we should try Vits. and Minerals. At this point we tried Bob Barefoots Coral Calcium. I learned in my 2nd grade health class that calcium makes bones so it was only natural to try it. Bones make marrow, good marrow makes good oxygen rich blood and cancer cannot grow where there is oxygen. It worked. In Dec 2002 She was taking the 2 chemos in Nov. and no transfusions. Her counts were COMING UP. Again NO TRANSFUSIONS. 3,000 MG of the Coral Calcium and Whole food Entergizers with organic mushrooms in them. Due to way too much chemo she also had Sinus Disease and Mersa. Very sick. Along with the Calcium and the Whole food entergizers she had 60 bags of vancomycin. The Dr said the vancromycin did not work.. Then we found a Dr. that was giving her bags of Vit. and Minerals by I V. She is now in a good solid remission. Her Dr. at Zion wondered why she was there. I am here to say Coral Calcium did work well for her. I also have heard rumors that some one is dumping lead batteries around the coral beds and traces of lead are being found in the calcium. There is other good calcium. Calcium does build good solid bones. My wife fell in front of the hospital, ate a mouth full of concrete, and broke 3 teeth. Amazing not 1 broken bone period. In between times our oncologist saved her life 4 times but quit us when she started to show good signs of improvement. Simple .He said the trust was broken. I thought I was fighting Leukemia but that was not the case. We are now having the best Christmas since 1996. Thank you God. David L. Tue, 23 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT Does anyone know if coral calcium has been helpful in treating melanoma?  I started taking Barefoot's coral calcium after seeing an infomercial to releave leg pain.  Within 10 days it totally disappeared.  After about three months people started mentioning how improved my face looked and asking what was I doing.  I had precancerous spots on my face of the type that can only be treated by what I call the "pizza pie treatment"  (Your face looks like pizza for 4 to 6 weeks while applying the  cream, and you can't wear makeup).  When I went for my six month visit to the dermatologist, she asked what had I been doing as "your face looks so much better."  After  examining me, she stated she now could treat it with a more conventional burning which she did with no dramatically ugly look to  my skin and  I could use makeup to cover the healing.I continued to use coral calcium for a couple of years.  Then I got cheap and stopped using it in favor of drugstore calcium my gp recommended, and guess what, no the leg pain didn't return, but the facial skin areas returned.  I started a coral calcium (not Barefoot) about two weeks ago, and my face is about 60% totally healed already and looks better by the day!  This is the truth.   I have no financial or other interest in coral calcium, and I'm not a scientist or medical person but I have been in the health care field for about 15 years.  A very overweight nurse I used to work with could hardly get up from her chair but after taking coral calcium for a few weeks she could easily raise herself and of course, she swears by it. This is just anecdotal evidence as yours is, but it works for me!!  And certainly scientists and doctors have no financial incentive to approve of coral calcium.  Maybe they just haven't figured out why it works sometimes, so they deny it can work.  Unfortunately they will never prove that it works, because no pharmacological company will do the research necessary to prove coral calcium works because they can't make money off of something that already sells so cheaply.My son has already had two bouts of Melanoma and has been part of a trial of a new treatment--so far so good, but I think he should take coral calcium.  Any comments?  Annha  Annha Sat, 19 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT Dear  stephanieHi how you doing?I was wondering were do you get your essiac tea from. For i am in need of essiac for a relative?Thankyou Michael   Mike88 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT