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Citracal Maximum Plus

Bayer Citracal
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(1032 ratings)
Calcium 650 mg
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Score83
A well-built calcium citrate formula with vitamin D3 and useful trace minerals. Splitting the large serving may improve calcium use.
How scoring works
Quantity:280 Tablet(s) • (140 servings)
Goals:
Bone Health

Score 83

A well-built calcium citrate formula with vitamin D3 and useful trace minerals. Splitting the large serving may improve calcium use.
How scoring works
$22.88($0.16 per serving)
Walmart
$ 22.88
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Analysis

Calcium citrate offers dependable absorption and does not rely as heavily on stomach acid as carbonate. Vitamin D3 complements the mineral by supporting calcium uptake.

Zinc, copper, and manganese add useful cofactors for normal bone matrix enzymes. The full calcium serving is large enough that splitting it across meals may improve practical absorption.

The formula remains focused and economical without becoming a general multivitamin. Magnesium, vitamin K, and collagen are absent, so broader skeletal coverage depends on diet or other products.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking focused bone-mineral support
  • People who want citrate rather than carbonate
  • Users able to divide the serving
Best for
  • Calcium and vitamin D intake
  • Bone mineralization support
  • Trace-mineral cofactors

Pros

  • Uses calcium citrate
  • Includes vitamin D3
  • Adds zinc, copper, and manganese

Cons

  • Full serving is large for one dose
  • No magnesium or vitamin K
  • Does not address collagen matrix support

Warnings

  • Divide the calcium amount rather than taking the full serving at once if the directions allow.
  • Separate calcium from levothyroxine and tetracycline or quinolone antibiotics.
  • High total calcium intake may worsen constipation or increase stone risk in susceptible users.

Nutrient quality

89 Highest impact

Meaningful calcium citrate and vitamin D3 create a strong bone-focused core. A weaker zinc form and a substantial calcium load modestly reduce balance.

Ingredient transparency

82 Highest impact

Active ingredients and forms are clearly quantified. Missing non-active ingredients and intake directions leave practical gaps.

Customer satisfaction

72 High impact

The aggregate rating is favorable and backed by a large review volume. No specific comments are available to assess recurring problems or real-world fit.

Value for money

89 Highest impact

A long supply and a strong calcium form support good value. The less favorable zinc form is a minor quality trade-off.

Report analysis

Goals

Bone Health
Bone Health
Impact
Highest effect
A Goal FitA Strength of SupportB CoverageA Formula Quality
Calcium · 650 mgVitamin D · 25 mcgCopper · 0.45 mgManganese · 1.15 mgZinc · 5.5 mg

Calcium citrate and vitamin D3 provide strong, direct support for calcium intake and absorption. Zinc, copper, and manganese add useful cofactors for bone formation and matrix enzymes.

Vitamin K, magnesium, and a direct protein-matrix ingredient are not included. The formula remains a focused mineralization option with meaningful doses and clearly named forms.

Study evidence
Calcium Supportive 144 studies
Copper Disputed 20 studies
Manganese Adverse 12 studies
Vitamin D Supportive 202 studies
Zinc Supportive 33 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Calories
5 Calorie(s)
Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)
 25 mcg
Calcium (Calcium Citrate)
 650 mg
Zinc (Zinc Oxide)
 5.5 mg
Copper (Copper Gluconate)
 0.45 mg
Manganese (Manganese Gluconate)
 1.15 mg
Sodium
5 mg
Adults 18–50
Report overview
Calcium (Calcium Citrate) · 650 mg OverallScore80
A- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityC Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA+ Value

Calcium citrate offers dependable absorption and does not rely as heavily on stomach acid as carbonate. The full serving exceeds the amount typically absorbed most efficiently at one time, so dividing the caplets may improve practical use. Clear elemental labeling, relevant mineral cofactors, and a low cost per serving support strong value.

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Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Calcium supplementation during pregnancy and maternal and offspring bone health: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Tihtonen K; Korhonen P; Isojärvi J; Ojala R; Ashorn U; Ashorn P; Tammela O · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 2022
    Meta-analysis1,566 participants7 studies pooledBone Health forCalcium
  2. Calcium supplementation and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women using estrogen replacement therapy.
    Haines CJ; Chung TK; Leung PC; Hsu SY; Leung DH · Bone · 1995
    Randomized trialBone Health forCalcium
  3. Calcium supplementation provides an extended window of opportunity for bone mass accretion after menarche.
    Rozen GS; Rennert G; Dodiuk-Gad RP; Rennert HS; Ish-Shalom N; Diab G; Raz B; Ish-Shalom S · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2003
    Randomized trial100 participantsBone Health forCalcium
  4. Relationship between bone mineral density changes and risk of fractures among patients receiving calcium with or without vitamin D supplementation: a meta-regression.
    Rabenda V; Bruyère O; Reginster JY · Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · 2011
    Meta-analysis47,365 participants15 studies pooledBone Health forCalcium
  5. Treatment with alendronate plus calcium, alendronate alone, or calcium alone for postmenopausal low bone mineral density.
    Bonnick S; Broy S; Kaiser F; Teutsch C; Rosenberg E; DeLucca P; Melton M · Current medical research and opinion · 2007
    Randomized trial701 participantsBone Health forCalcium
  6. What is the impact of daily oral supplementation of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) plus calcium on the incidence of hip fracture in older people? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Manoj P; Derwin R; George S · International journal of older people nursing · 2023
    Meta-analysis12,620 participants7 studies pooledBone Health forCalcium
  7. Calcium supplementation prevents seasonal bone loss and changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover in elderly New England women: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
    Storm D; Eslin R; Porter ES; Musgrave K; Vereault D; Patton C; Kessenich C; Mohan S; Chen T; Holick MF; Rosen CJ · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 1998
    Randomized trial60 participantsBone Health forCalcium
  8. The effects of calcium supplementation (milk powder or tablets) and exercise on bone density in postmenopausal women.
    Prince R; Devine A; Dick I; Criddle A; Kerr D; Kent N; Price R; Randell A · Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research · 1995
    Randomized trial168 participantsBone Health forCalcium
  9. The efficacy of calcium supplementation alone in elderly Thai women over a 2-year period: a randomized controlled trial.
    Rajatanavin R; Chailurkit L; Saetung S; Thakkinstian A; Nimitphong H · Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · 2014
    Randomized trial404 participantsBone Health forCalcium
  10. Calcium-enriched foods and bone mass growth in prepubertal girls: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Bonjour JP; Carrie AL; Ferrari S; Clavien H; Slosman D; Theintz G; Rizzoli R · The Journal of clinical investigation · 1997
    Randomized trial149 participantsBone Health forCalcium
  11. The Association between Dietary and Circulating Copper Levels and Osteoporosis: a Scoping Review.
    Ju Y; Xiong W; Pang Y; Chen Z; Hou J; Zheng S; Li Z; Liu T; Xia H; Xia M; Zhong Y; Li J; Jiang X · Biological trace element research · 2026
    Scoping review18 studies pooledBone Health forCopper
  12. Association between dietary copper, iron, zinc, selenium intake and osteopenia or osteoporosis in elderly hypertensive patients: a retrospective cohort study.
    Chen M; Jia L; Gao R · Frontiers in nutrition · 2024
    Cohort study5,286 participantsBone Health forCopper
  13. Associations of dietary copper intake with total bone mineral density and lumbar spine bone mineral density in American adults.
    Hu M; Wang Z; Li C; Zheng Y; Hu J · Medicine · 2025
    Cross-sectional studyBone Health forCopper
  14. The association between dietary mineral intake and bone mineral density: a cross-sectional study.
    Wei M; Wei J; Huang S · Journal of health, population, and nutrition · 2025
    Cross-sectional study11,520 participantsBone Health forCopper
  15. Association between dietary copper intake and bone mineral density in children and adolescents aged 8-19 years: A cross-sectional study.
    Cui A; Yan J; Li H; Fan Z; Wei X; Wang H; Zhuang Y · PloS one · 2024
    Cross-sectional study6,965 participantsBone Health forCopper
  16. Risk of Environmental Chemicals on Bone Fractures Is Independent of Low Bone Mass in US Adults: Insights from 2017 to 2018 NHANES.
    Ling R; Ai Y; Chen C; Zhang J; Zou Z; Cheng S; Li C; Li X; Wang B · Metabolites · 2023
    Cross-sectional study2,640 participantsBone Health forManganese
  17. The Manganese-Bone Connection: Investigating the Role of Manganese in Bone Health.
    Taskozhina G; Batyrova G; Umarova G; Issanguzhina Z; Kereyeva N · Journal of clinical medicine · 2024
    Narrative reviewBone Health forManganese
  18. Associations of multiple metals with bone mineral density: A population-based study in US adults.
    Wei MH; Cui Y; Zhou HL; Song WJ; Di DS; Zhang RY; Huang Q; Liu JA; Wang Q · Chemosphere · 2021
    Cross-sectional studyBone Health forManganese
  19. Sex-specific associations of urinary mixed-metal concentrations with femoral bone mineral density among older people: an NHANES (2017-2020) analysis.
    Li H; Li G; Yi M; Zhou J; Deng Y; Huang Y; He S; Meng X; Liu L · Frontiers in public health · 2024
    Cross-sectional study31 participantsBone Health forManganese
  20. Relationship between blood manganese and bone mineral density and bone mineral content in adults: A population-based cross-sectional study.
    Wang C; Zhu Y; Long H; Ou M; Zhao S · PloS one · 2022
    Cross-sectional study9,732 participantsBone Health forManganese
  21. Pregnancy vitamin D supplementation and offspring bone mineral density in childhood follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.
    Moon RJ; D' Angelo S; Curtis EM; Ward KA; Crozier SR; Schoenmakers I; Javaid MK; Bishop NJ; Godfrey KM; Cooper C; Harvey NC; MAVIDOS Trial Group · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2024
    Randomized trial454 participantsBone Health forVitamin D
  22. Vitamin D analogs and bone: preclinical and clinical studies with eldecalcitol.
    Matsumoto T; Takano T; Saito H; Takahashi F · BoneKEy reports · 2014
    Narrative reviewBone Health forVitamin D
  23. Efficacy of vitamin D fortified foods on bone mineral density and serum bone biomarkers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies.
    Tangestani H; Djafarian K; Emamat H; Arabzadegan N; Shab-Bidar S · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition · 2020
    Meta-analysis1,786 participants20 studies pooledBone Health forVitamin D
  24. Cholecalciferol Supplementation Attenuates Bone Loss in Incident Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Prespecified Secondary Endpoint Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Tsujita M; Doi Y; Obi Y; Hamano T; Tomosugi T; Futamura K; Okada M; Hiramitsu T; Goto N; Isaka Y; Takeda A; Narumi S; Watarai Y · Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research · 2022
    Randomized trial193 participantsBone Health forVitamin D
  25. Vitamin D supplementation and bone health in post-menopausal women: a 24-month randomized controlled intervention with enhanced bioavailability formulations.
    Rasool N; Munir Y · European journal of clinical nutrition · 2026
    Randomized trial612 participantsBone Health forVitamin D
  26. Increased incidence of fractures in middle-aged and elderly men with low intakes of phosphorus and zinc.
    Elmståhl S; Gullberg B; Janzon L; Johnell O; Elmståhl B · Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · 1999
    Cohort study6,576 participantsBone Health forZinc
  27. Zinc Supplementation Increases Procollagen Type 1 Amino-Terminal Propeptide in Premenarcheal Girls: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Berger PK; Pollock NK; Laing EM; Chertin V; Bernard PJ; Grider A; Shapses SA; Ding KH; Isales CM; Lewis RD · The Journal of nutrition · 2016
    Randomized trial147 participantsBone Health forZinc
  28. Randomized controlled trial of prenatal zinc supplementation and fetal bone growth.
    Merialdi M; Caulfield LE; Zavaleta N; Figueroa A; Costigan KA; Dominici F; Dipietro JA · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2004
    Randomized trial242 participantsBone Health forZinc
  29. The effects of zinc supplementation on serum zinc, alkaline phosphatase activity and fracture healing of bones.
    Sadighi A; Roshan MM; Moradi A; Ostadrahimi A · Saudi medical journal · 2009
    Randomized trial60 participantsBone Health forZinc
  30. Is Zinc an Important Trace Element on Bone-Related Diseases and Complications? A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review from Serum Level, Dietary Intake, and Supplementation Aspects.
    Ceylan MN; Akdas S; Yazihan N · Biological trace element research · 2021
    Meta-analysis40 studies pooledBone Health forZinc