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Coral Calcium Plus

NOW
4.8
(2292 ratings)
Magnesium 250 mg
Calcium 500 mg
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Score 55.0

A calcium and magnesium supplement with mixed bioavailability forms and less effective Vitamin D2, offering moderate overall value.

Quantity: 250 Capsule(s)Servings size: 2 Veg Capsule(s) (125 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Bone Health
Heart Health
Joint Health
Muscle Gain
General Health

Score 55.0

A calcium and magnesium supplement with mixed bioavailability forms and less effective Vitamin D2, offering moderate overall value.

Quantity: 100
Analysis

NOW Coral Calcium Plus is designed as a broad-spectrum mineral supplement. It provides 500mg of elemental calcium from coral calcium and 750mg of elemental magnesium from a blend of magnesium oxide, citrate, and aspartate. The inclusion of magnesium citrate and aspartate is a strength, as these forms are generally well-absorbed and contribute effectively to magnesium-related goals like stress relief and sleep. However, the calcium source (coral calcium, predominantly calcium carbonate) has lower bioavailability and requires adequate stomach acid for absorption. Furthermore, the product contains Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) at 10mcg, which is less effective than Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) at raising and maintaining serum vitamin D levels, a critical factor for calcium absorption and utilization. While the price per serving is relatively low at $0.17, the compromises in bioavailability and Vitamin D form make it a less optimal choice compared to more advanced calcium-magnesium supplements.

Pros
  • Contains multiple forms of magnesium, including bioavailable citrate and aspartate.
  • Relatively affordable price per serving.
  • High number of servings per container (125).
Cons
  • Calcium is from coral calcium (calcium carbonate), which has lower bioavailability.
  • Uses Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) instead of the more effective Vitamin D3.
  • Magnesium oxide, a less bioavailable form, is included in the blend.
Warnings
  • Individuals with low stomach acid may struggle to absorb the calcium effectively.
  • Those specifically seeking highly bioavailable calcium forms or Vitamin D3 may find this product insufficient.
$21.95($0.17 per serving)
Vitacost
$ 22.59
Daily Vita
$ 23.10
Walmart
$ 21.95
iHerb
$ 24.49
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin D (Ergocalciferol) 10 mcg
Calcium (Coral Calcium) 500 mg
Magnesium (Magnesium Oxide, Magnesium Citrate, Magnesium Aspartate) 250 mg
fossilized Coral Calcium 1.43 Gram(s)
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Dairy Free
Categories
Magnesium 70.0
The product includes a blend of magnesium forms, with magnesium citrate and aspartate offering good bioavailability and contributing effectively to magnesium repletion, despite the inclusion of less absorbed magnesium oxide.
Calcium 50.0
The calcium source is coral calcium (calcium carbonate), which is less bioavailable compared to other forms like citrate or malate, limiting its effectiveness for calcium supplementation.
Goals
Stress Relief 70.0
Magnesium is widely recognized for its calming effects on the nervous system. The presence of bioavailable magnesium citrate and aspartate forms makes this product reasonably effective for stress relief and relaxation.
Sleep Support 70.0
Magnesium's role in muscle relaxation and nervous system calming makes it effective for sleep support. The bioavailable citrate and aspartate forms are particularly beneficial for this goal.
Energy 65.0
Magnesium plays a key role in ATP production and energy metabolism. The inclusion of magnesium citrate and aspartate, which are well-absorbed, positively contributes to energy levels.
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At 5 cents per serving, this is a much more affordable option. It provides Calcium Gluconate, which is generally better absorbed than Calcium Carbonate, and also includes Zinc, offering better value for its price point.
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Magnesium 250 mg

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Offering an incredibly low price per serving (2 cents) for 250mg of Magnesium (Magnesium Oxide) and some Calcium, this is an extremely cost-effective choice for basic mineral supplementation, even if the forms are not ideal.
75 Value

Magnesium & Calcium

NOW
4.8
(16706 ratings)
This product uses Aquamin TG (seaweed-derived minerals) for both Calcium (400mg) and Magnesium (800mg), which are generally more bioavailable than carbonate/oxide forms. At 24 cents per serving, it provides a significant quality upgrade for a slightly higher, yet still very competitive, price.
60 Value

600 + D3 plus Minerals

21st Century
4.8
(1551 ratings)
While it uses Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Oxide, its price per serving (3 cents) is exceptionally low. The inclusion of Vitamin D3 and other minerals at this price point offers a substantially better value for basic, comprehensive mineral support compared to the original product.
62 Value

Calcium Magnesium Zinc

Nature's Bounty
4.8
(59698 ratings)
At just 5 cents per serving, this alternative is significantly cheaper while offering Calcium Gluconate (a better-absorbed form than carbonate) and added Zinc. This makes it a great value for those seeking a basic, slightly improved calcium-magnesium blend without a high cost.
95 Performance

Calcium Bone Maker Complex with MCH-Cal and VitaMK7

Doctor's Best
4.7
(6735 ratings)
This alternative offers superior bioavailability with MCH-Cal and DiMagnesium Malate, along with Vitamin K2 (MK7), which is crucial for directing calcium to bones. Its comprehensive formulation makes it much more effective for bone health and overall mineral absorption.
90 Performance

Raw Calcium

Garden of Life Vitamin Code
4.6
(4135 ratings)
This product uses algae-derived calcium and Dead Sea Minerals for magnesium, providing a more natural and potentially more bioavailable complex with a broader spectrum of trace minerals. It also often includes a raw food vitamin blend for holistic support.
92 Performance

Cal/Mag/Vit D3 with Vitamin K2

NaturesPlus
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(2209 ratings)
Utilizing amino acid chelates for both Calcium and Magnesium, this alternative ensures excellent absorption. The addition of crucial cofactors like Vitamin D3 and K2 provides comprehensive support, especially for bone and heart health.