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Citracal Maximum Plus

Bayer Citracal
4.7
(872 ratings)
Copper 0.45 mg
Manganese 1.15 mg
Calcium 650 mg
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Score 55.0

A high-quality calcium citrate and Vitamin D3 supplement known for its superior absorption and gentle digestion. Its major limitation is the absence of magnesium, which is crucial for comprehensive bone and mineral support.

Quantity: 280 Tablet(s)Servings size: 2 Caplet(s) (140 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Immunity
Bone Health
Skin Health
Hair Health
Joint Health

Score 55.0

A high-quality calcium citrate and Vitamin D3 supplement known for its superior absorption and gentle digestion. Its major limitation is the absence of magnesium, which is crucial for comprehensive bone and mineral support.

Analysis

Citracal Maximum Plus positions itself as a premium option for bone and overall health, primarily leveraging calcium citrate for superior absorption over calcium carbonate. The inclusion of 25mcg (1000IU) of Vitamin D is also beneficial for calcium utilization and broader health. Despite these strengths, a critical flaw in its formulation is the complete omission of magnesium, an essential mineral that works synergistically with calcium for bone formation, muscle function, and nerve health. While it does provide Zinc, Copper, and Manganese, their quantities are somewhat limited (especially Copper), and the Zinc is in the less absorbable oxide form. Online reviews often praise its ease of digestion, but nutritionists frequently highlight the importance of magnesium alongside calcium for true bone health support.

Pros
  • Uses Calcium Citrate, which is highly bioavailable and can be taken with or without food, reducing digestive upset for many.
  • Contains a good dose of Vitamin D (1000IU) to enhance calcium absorption and support overall health.
  • Generally well-tolerated and less likely to cause constipation compared to calcium carbonate products.
Cons
  • Completely lacks Magnesium, a crucial co-factor for calcium absorption and bone health, which is a significant oversight for a 'Maximum Plus' bone health product.
  • Zinc is in the less bioavailable Oxide form, potentially reducing its efficacy.
  • Copper dose (0.45mg) is relatively low, especially when considering its interaction with zinc absorption, which could lead to an imbalance over time.
  • Significantly more expensive per serving compared to other basic calcium supplements without offering a full spectrum of synergistic minerals.
Warnings
  • Individuals relying on this product for comprehensive bone support may need to supplement magnesium separately to ensure proper calcium utilization and overall mineral balance.
  • The low copper dose in relation to zinc could potentially lead to copper deficiency for some individuals, although the zinc dose itself is moderate.
$23.99($0.17 per serving)
Walmart
$ 23.99
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
Categories
Calcium 85.0
Features 650mg of Calcium Citrate, a highly recommended and bioavailable form of calcium that is well-absorbed with or without food. This is a significant strength compared to less absorbable calcium forms.
Manganese 70.0
Includes 1.15mg of Manganese in the Gluconate form, which is generally well-absorbed. This dose supports its role in bone development and joint health.
Copper 50.0
Contains a low dose of Copper (0.45mg) in a decent Gluconate form. This amount may not be sufficient for optimal benefit, especially considering the presence of zinc which can compete for absorption.
Goals
Bone Health 70.0
The excellent calcium form (citrate) and adequate Vitamin D3 content are strong positives for bone health, promoting absorption and utilization. However, the complete absence of magnesium, a vital co-factor for bone mineralization, significantly limits its comprehensive support for this goal.
Immunity 65.0
Contains a good dose of Vitamin D (1000IU) and a moderate dose of Zinc, both of which are crucial for a healthy immune system function. These ingredients provide a foundational level of immune support.
Joint Health 60.0
Contains Manganese Gluconate, which plays a role in cartilage formation and connective tissue health, offering some benefit for joint health. However, like many calcium supplements, it does not include other joint-specific ingredients, and the lack of magnesium may indirectly impact joint tissue integrity.
85 Value

Calcium + Vitamin D

Swisse Ultiboost
4.6
(1270 ratings)
This Swisse product offers Calcium Citrate, matching Citracal's good calcium form, and crucially includes Vitamin D in its name, which is essential for calcium absorption and utilization. For a slightly higher price per serving (19 vs 15), it provides a more complete and effective bone health supplement.
60 Value

Centrum Silver Men 50+

GSK
4.8
(3004 ratings)
This multivitamin is a better value as it provides Calcium and Manganese (though Copper is 0mg in this variant's data) for a significantly lower price per serving (7 vs 15). As a well-known multivitamin, it typically includes Vitamin D and a wider range of essential nutrients, offering broader health support.
55 Value

One Daily Women's 50+

21st Century
4.8
(6837 ratings)
This 21st Century multivitamin offers good value, providing Calcium, Manganese, and Copper for a much lower price per serving (7 vs 15). It includes multiple minerals often found in a comprehensive multivitamin (likely including D3), making it a well-rounded and affordable option for general and bone health.
95 Performance

Calcium Bone Maker Complex with MCH-Cal and VitaMK7

Doctor's Best
4.7
(6735 ratings)
This is a superior alternative for comprehensive bone health, offering MCH-Cal (Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite) for complete bone matrix support, alongside Manganese, Copper, and crucially, Vitamin K2 (VitaMK7) which aids in directing calcium to bones and away from arteries, providing far more than Citracal.
90 Performance

Multi Sport Men's Formula

NutraBio
4.7
(833 ratings)
This multivitamin provides highly bioavailable chelated (TRAACS) forms of Manganese and Copper, addressing Citracal's copper deficiency and offering superior absorption. It also includes Calcium in an effective form and typically contains Vitamin D, making it a more comprehensive and high-quality mineral supplement.
88 Performance

Baby & Me 2 Postnatal Multi

MegaFood
4.7
(5352 ratings)
This multi features excellent, highly bioavailable fermented forms of Manganese and Copper Bisglycinate, directly addressing the missing copper in Citracal. While a multi, it delivers superior forms of the target minerals alongside other nutrients beneficial for overall health and bone support.
65 Budget

Calcium Magnesium Zinc + D3

21st Century
4.7
(97627 ratings)
This alternative from 21st Century is significantly cheaper per serving (13 vs 15) while providing a higher dose of calcium, and importantly, explicitly includes Vitamin D3, which is missing from Citracal's listed ingredients, along with Magnesium and Zinc.
25 Budget

Calcium 500+D3

21st Century
4.8
(5045 ratings)
This 21st Century product is substantially cheaper per serving (2 vs 15) and provides basic calcium. While it lacks the superior calcium form and comprehensive mineral profile of Citracal, it offers an extremely budget-friendly way to get calcium.
50 Budget

Calcium (Carbonate Aspartate & Citrate) 500 mg

Swanson Premium Brand
4.8
(307 ratings)
This Swanson product is considerably cheaper per serving (4 vs 15) and offers a blend of calcium forms, including citrate, which may improve absorption compared to single-form carbonate products, making it a good value for a calcium base.
85 Value

Calcium + Vitamin D

Swisse Ultiboost
4.6
(1270 ratings)
This Swisse product offers Calcium Citrate, matching Citracal's good calcium form, and crucially includes Vitamin D in its name, which is essential for calcium absorption and utilization. For a slightly higher price per serving (19 vs 15), it provides a more complete and effective bone health supplement.
60 Value

Centrum Silver Men 50+

GSK
4.8
(3004 ratings)
This multivitamin is a better value as it provides Calcium and Manganese (though Copper is 0mg in this variant's data) for a significantly lower price per serving (7 vs 15). As a well-known multivitamin, it typically includes Vitamin D and a wider range of essential nutrients, offering broader health support.
55 Value

One Daily Women's 50+

21st Century
4.8
(6837 ratings)
This 21st Century multivitamin offers good value, providing Calcium, Manganese, and Copper for a much lower price per serving (7 vs 15). It includes multiple minerals often found in a comprehensive multivitamin (likely including D3), making it a well-rounded and affordable option for general and bone health.
95 Performance

Calcium Bone Maker Complex with MCH-Cal and VitaMK7

Doctor's Best
4.7
(6735 ratings)
This is a superior alternative for comprehensive bone health, offering MCH-Cal (Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite) for complete bone matrix support, alongside Manganese, Copper, and crucially, Vitamin K2 (VitaMK7) which aids in directing calcium to bones and away from arteries, providing far more than Citracal.
90 Performance

Multi Sport Men's Formula

NutraBio
4.7
(833 ratings)
This multivitamin provides highly bioavailable chelated (TRAACS) forms of Manganese and Copper, addressing Citracal's copper deficiency and offering superior absorption. It also includes Calcium in an effective form and typically contains Vitamin D, making it a more comprehensive and high-quality mineral supplement.
88 Performance

Baby & Me 2 Postnatal Multi

MegaFood
4.7
(5352 ratings)
This multi features excellent, highly bioavailable fermented forms of Manganese and Copper Bisglycinate, directly addressing the missing copper in Citracal. While a multi, it delivers superior forms of the target minerals alongside other nutrients beneficial for overall health and bone support.