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Cal-Mag DK

NOW
4.8
(852 ratings)
Magnesium 133 mg
Vitamin K 30 mcg
Calcium 266 mg
Product Image
Score 70.0

NOW's Cal-Mag DK combines essential bone and heart health nutrients: calcium, magnesium, vitamins D3 and K2. It's an affordable option with a well-absorbed calcium form, but the doses of D3 and K2 are modest, and the magnesium form has lower bioavailability. It serves as a good foundational supplement but may not be potent enough for specific therapeutic needs.

Quantity: 180 Capsule(s)Servings size: 2 Capsule(s) (90 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Bone Health
Heart Health
Joint Health
Muscle Gain
General Health

Score 70.0

NOW's Cal-Mag DK combines essential bone and heart health nutrients: calcium, magnesium, vitamins D3 and K2. It's an affordable option with a well-absorbed calcium form, but the doses of D3 and K2 are modest, and the magnesium form has lower bioavailability. It serves as a good foundational supplement but may not be potent enough for specific therapeutic needs.

Analysis

Cal-Mag DK by NOW is formulated to provide synergistic nutrients essential for maintaining bone density and supporting cardiovascular health. The inclusion of Calcium Citrate is a positive, as it is a well-absorbed form of calcium. However, the doses of Vitamin D3 (320 IU) and Vitamin K2 (30 mcg) are quite modest, potentially limiting their efficacy for individuals with significant deficiencies or those seeking more robust therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, the reliance on Magnesium Oxide, while common, means a lower absorption rate compared to chelated forms, which might necessitate higher doses or a different form for optimal benefits. Despite these limitations, the product offers a cost-effective way to supplement these important micronutrients.

Pros
  • Contains all four synergistic nutrients (Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2) important for bone and cardiovascular health.
  • Calcium is provided in the highly absorbable Citrate form.
  • Offers excellent value with a very low price per serving.
  • Produced by NOW, a reputable brand known for quality and affordability.
Cons
  • The dosage of Vitamin D3 (320 IU) is considerably lower than often recommended for optimal daily intake or addressing deficiencies.
  • The Vitamin K2 dose (30 mcg) is relatively low, and the specific form (MK-4 or MK-7) is not specified, potentially limiting its effectiveness for advanced cardiovascular support.
  • Magnesium is primarily in the Oxide form, which generally has lower bioavailability and can cause digestive issues compared to more absorbable forms like citrate or glycinate.
Warnings
  • Individuals with significant Vitamin D or K deficiencies, or those with specific health concerns related to bone density or cardiovascular health, should consult a healthcare professional as the doses in this product may be insufficient.
  • The magnesium oxide content might lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, such as laxative effects, in sensitive individuals due to its lower absorption rate.
$14.89($0.16 per serving)
Vitacost
$ 14.89
Daily Vita
$ 15.10
Pure Formulas
$ 15.57
iHerb
$ 15.91
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) 8 mcg
Vitamin K2 30 mcg
Calcium (Calcium Citrate) 266 mg
Magnesium (Magnesium Oxide) 133 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Dairy Free
Categories
Calcium 75.0
This supplement provides 266mg of Calcium in the Citrate form, which is highly regarded for its excellent bioavailability and absorption, even without food. While the dose is moderate and often needs to be combined with dietary intake to meet daily recommendations, the quality of the calcium source is a strong positive.
Vitamin K 65.0
The product contains 30mcg of Vitamin K2, which is beneficial for directing calcium to bones and preventing arterial calcification. However, this dose is quite modest compared to the higher amounts often found in specialized K2 supplements (e.g., 90-180mcg for MK-7) and the specific K2 form is not detailed, potentially limiting its overall efficacy.
Magnesium 65.0
The product contains 133mg of Magnesium, primarily in the Oxide form. While providing essential magnesium, Magnesium Oxide has lower bioavailability compared to other forms such as Magnesium Citrate, Glycinate, or Malate, meaning a smaller percentage of the elemental magnesium is absorbed by the body.
Goals
General Health 75.0
As a source of essential minerals (Calcium, Magnesium) and vitamins (D3, K2), this product contributes positively to overall well-being. It helps address common dietary gaps for these micronutrients, offering a good general health boost for those not seeking specific therapeutic interventions.
Bone Health 70.0
This product contains Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin D3, and Vitamin K2, all critical for bone mineralization and structure. However, the low doses of Vitamin D3 and K2, along with the less bioavailable magnesium oxide, mean it provides foundational support but may not be adequate for individuals with higher needs or deficiencies, making it less effective than alternatives with higher potencies.
Heart Health 65.0
Vitamin K2 and Magnesium are important for maintaining cardiovascular health by supporting arterial elasticity and regulating blood pressure. While these ingredients are present, the modest doses of Vitamin K2 (30mcg) and Vitamin D3 (320 IU) may not be sufficient for robust cardiovascular benefits, especially when compared to specialized formulations with higher potencies.
85 Value

Vegan Cal Mag Plus

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Prenatal Blend

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(1930 ratings)
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Alive! Women's 50+ Complete Multivitamin

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(10030 ratings)
At 12 cents per serving, this multivitamin offers a good blend including 260mg Calcium Carbonate, 50mg Magnesium Oxide, and 120mcg Vitamin K. While forms might be standard, it delivers a comprehensive set of nutrients at a lower price point than the original, adding multi-vitamin benefits.
90 Performance

Raw Calcium

Garden of Life Vitamin Code
4.6
(4135 ratings)
Offers 1100mg of highly bioavailable Calcium from Algae and 357mg of Magnesium from Dead Sea Minerals, along with 50mcg of Vitamin K2 (MK-7 specified). This whole-food sourced option provides superior forms and dosages for bone health.
85 Performance

Vegan Cal Mag Plus

DEVA
4.7
(849 ratings)
This vegan option provides a substantial 1000mg of Calcium Malate and 400mg of Magnesium Chelate, both highly bioavailable forms, along with 80mcg of Vitamin K1. The superior forms of calcium and magnesium make it a more effective choice for absorption.
92 Performance

Cal/Mag/Vit D3 with Vitamin K2

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4.6
(2209 ratings)
Utilizes highly bioavailable Amino Acid Chelates for both Calcium (1200mg) and Magnesium (600mg), along with 100mcg of Vitamin K2 (Menatetrenone) and implied D3, offering comprehensive and top-tier bone and cardiovascular support.
60 Budget

Calcium 500 + D3

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(4031 ratings)
At 2 cents per serving, it's significantly cheaper and provides 500mg of Calcium from Oyster, a decent dose. It also likely contains Vitamin D3, essential for calcium absorption.
55 Budget

Sentry Adults

21st Century
4.7
(23601 ratings)
At 4 cents per serving, this is a very cheap general multivitamin that includes calcium (200mg), magnesium (50mg), and Vitamin K (25mcg). While doses are lower, it offers broad nutritional support for less cost.
65 Budget

Calcium Magnesium Zinc + D3

21st Century
4.7
(97627 ratings)
Priced at 13 cents per serving, this offers a robust 1000mg Calcium Carbonate and 400mg Magnesium Oxide, plus Zinc and D3. While forms are less bioavailable, the higher dosages offer a good cost-per-mg ratio for similar core ingredients.
85 Value

Vegan Cal Mag Plus

DEVA
4.7
(849 ratings)
At 19 cents per serving, it provides significantly higher quality and quantity of bioavailable calcium (Calcium Malate 1000mg) and magnesium (Magnesium Chelate 400mg) compared to the original, making it an excellent investment for its price.
80 Value

Prenatal Blend

Super Nutrition
4.5
(1930 ratings)
At 36 cents per serving, it offers a robust combination of 600mg Calcium Citrate, 325mg Magnesium Oxide, and 85mcg Vitamin K2. The higher dosages and excellent calcium form provide a strong nutritional profile for a reasonable price.
75 Value

Alive! Women's 50+ Complete Multivitamin

Nature's Way
4.8
(10030 ratings)
At 12 cents per serving, this multivitamin offers a good blend including 260mg Calcium Carbonate, 50mg Magnesium Oxide, and 120mcg Vitamin K. While forms might be standard, it delivers a comprehensive set of nutrients at a lower price point than the original, adding multi-vitamin benefits.
90 Performance

Raw Calcium

Garden of Life Vitamin Code
4.6
(4135 ratings)
Offers 1100mg of highly bioavailable Calcium from Algae and 357mg of Magnesium from Dead Sea Minerals, along with 50mcg of Vitamin K2 (MK-7 specified). This whole-food sourced option provides superior forms and dosages for bone health.
85 Performance

Vegan Cal Mag Plus

DEVA
4.7
(849 ratings)
This vegan option provides a substantial 1000mg of Calcium Malate and 400mg of Magnesium Chelate, both highly bioavailable forms, along with 80mcg of Vitamin K1. The superior forms of calcium and magnesium make it a more effective choice for absorption.
92 Performance

Cal/Mag/Vit D3 with Vitamin K2

NaturesPlus
4.6
(2209 ratings)
Utilizes highly bioavailable Amino Acid Chelates for both Calcium (1200mg) and Magnesium (600mg), along with 100mcg of Vitamin K2 (Menatetrenone) and implied D3, offering comprehensive and top-tier bone and cardiovascular support.