Product Image

Living Calcium Advanced

Garden of Life
4.5
(1753 ratings)
Vitamin B6 25 mg
Calcium 1000 mg
Boron 3 mg
Vitamin B12 200 mcg
Vitamin K 65 mcg
Riboflavin 10 mg
Copper 1 mg
Product Image
Score 85.0

This Garden of Life supplement offers a robust plant-based calcium and bone support complex, complemented by a strong B-vitamin blend and key minerals, aiming to address overall health, energy, and cognitive function alongside its primary bone health goal.

Quantity: 120 Tablet(s)Servings size: 6 Caplet(s) (20 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Energy
Brain Health
Mood Support
General Health
Bone Health

Score 85.0

This Garden of Life supplement offers a robust plant-based calcium and bone support complex, complemented by a strong B-vitamin blend and key minerals, aiming to address overall health, energy, and cognitive function alongside its primary bone health goal.

Analysis

Living Calcium Advanced by Garden of Life positions itself as a comprehensive supplement for bone health, leveraging a plant-based calcium source from calcified red algae, which is often promoted for its natural and bioavailable mineral profile. Beyond its primary focus, the product significantly enhances its appeal by incorporating a potent blend of B vitamins (including active B12 as methylcobalamin), Vitamin D3, and a crucial combination of Vitamin K1 and K2 (MK-7), which synergistically work to support not only bone mineralization but also cardiovascular health by directing calcium to bones and away from arteries. The inclusion of trace minerals like Boron, Manganese, Copper, and Zinc further rounds out its mineral support, aiming for a holistic approach to various health aspects indicated by its broad goal list.

Pros
  • Provides plant-based calcium from calcified red algae, perceived as highly bioavailable and natural.
  • Includes crucial co-factors for calcium absorption and utilization like Vitamin D3 and a comprehensive blend of Vitamin K1 and K2 (MK-7).
  • Contains a potent B-complex, featuring the well-absorbed Methylcobalamin form of Vitamin B12, supporting energy and neurological functions.
  • Incorporates additional trace minerals such as Boron, Copper, Zinc, and Manganese which are beneficial for bone density and various enzymatic processes.
  • From a reputable brand known for organic and whole-food based supplements.
Cons
  • High price per serving compared to many alternatives, making it less accessible for long-term use.
  • The primary form of Magnesium is Magnesium Oxide, which generally has lower bioavailability than other forms like citrate or glycinate.
  • The serving size of 6 tablets can be inconvenient for some users.
  • Despite listing many goals, the product lacks specific ingredients for certain areas like direct vision or joint support beyond general bone health.
Warnings
  • Individuals on anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) should consult a healthcare professional before taking this product due to the significant Vitamin K content (both K1 and K2), which can interfere with medication effectiveness.
  • The high calcium and magnesium doses should be considered in the context of an individual's total dietary and supplemental intake to avoid excessive levels.
$19.52($0.97 per serving)
Amazon
$ 23.84
Pure Formulas
$ 21.69
iHerb
$ 19.52
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin D (Vitamin D3) 15 mcg
Vitamin K (Vitamin K1) 65 mcg
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 10 mg
Vitamin B6 25 mg
Folate 400 mcg DFE
Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) 200 mcg
Calcium (Algae) 1000 mg
Magnesium (Magnesium Oxide) 575 mg
Zinc (Brown Rice Chelate) 3 mg
Copper (Brown Rice Chelate) 1 mg
Manganese (Brown Rice Chelate) 1 mg
Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone-7) 60 mcg
Boron (Brown Rice Chelate) 3 mg
Betaine (Beets) 50 mg
Calcified Red Algae 3.5 Gram(s)
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Dairy Free
Categories
Calcium 95.0
The product delivers a significant 1000mg of calcium from calcified red algae, a plant-based source often lauded for its natural co-factors and bioavailability, making it an excellent primary source for meeting daily calcium needs.
Vitamin K 90.0
The product provides a well-rounded Vitamin K profile, including both Vitamin K1 (65mcg) and the crucial Vitamin K2 (60mcg Menaquinone-7), which works synergistically with Vitamin D to ensure calcium is directed to the bones and kept out of arteries, enhancing bone and cardiovascular health.
Boron 90.0
With 3mg of Boron, the product includes a good, supportive dose of this trace mineral, which is important for enhancing the body's utilization of calcium and magnesium and supporting overall bone metabolism.
Goals
Bone Health 95.0
This product is exceptionally strong for bone health, providing a substantial 1000mg of plant-based calcium from algae, paired synergistically with effective doses of Vitamin D3 (600 IU), Vitamin K1 (65mcg), and particularly Vitamin K2 (60mcg MK-7), which is vital for directing calcium to bones and supporting bone mineralization. Additionally, it includes Boron, Zinc, Copper, and Manganese, all recognized for their roles in maintaining skeletal integrity.
Heart Health 85.0
The inclusion of Vitamin K2 (MK-7) is a significant benefit for heart health, as it helps prevent calcium deposition in arteries by promoting its integration into bone matrix. B vitamins (B6, B12, Folate) also support cardiovascular health by helping to regulate homocysteine levels, a risk factor for heart disease.
Cardiovascular Support 85.0
Similar to heart health, the presence of Vitamin K2 (MK-7) specifically aids in maintaining arterial flexibility by ensuring calcium is properly utilized in bones rather than accumulating in blood vessels. The comprehensive B-vitamin profile also contributes by supporting healthy homocysteine metabolism.
88 Value

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92 Value

Two-Per-Day Tablets

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Activated B-Complex High Bioavailability

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(1190 ratings)
This B-complex stands out by featuring activated forms of B vitamins (e.g., Riboflavin 5-Phosphate, Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate, Methylcobalamin, L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate). These forms are more readily utilized by the body without conversion, offering superior efficacy for energy production, brain health, and mood support compared to the standard forms in the original product.
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Life Extension Mix Capsules

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4.7
(492 ratings)
This product is an extremely comprehensive multivitamin that not only covers all the ingredients in 'Living Calcium Advanced' (Calcium, Magnesium, D3, K, Boron, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, all B vitamins) but often in more bioavailable forms and includes a vast array of additional beneficial compounds, making it a superior, albeit more expensive, overall health solution.
70 Budget

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This product offers comparable dosages of Calcium (1000mg) and Magnesium (400mg), along with Zinc and Vitamin D3, at a fraction of the price per serving (13 cents vs 108 cents). While its magnesium is also oxide and it lacks B vitamins, it's a very cost-effective option for core minerals.
75 Budget

B-50 Complex

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For just 8 cents per serving, this supplement provides a full B-complex, including B12, B6, and Riboflavin, directly addressing the energy, brain, and mood goals. It's a highly affordable way to get essential B vitamins, though it doesn't offer the same comprehensive mineral profile for bone health.
60 Budget

Magnesium 250 mg

21st Century
4.7
(63969 ratings)
At only 2 cents per serving, this is an extremely economical choice if magnesium and some calcium are the primary needs. It provides 250mg of Magnesium (oxide) and 65mg of Calcium, making it a budget-friendly option for foundational mineral support.
88 Value

Vegan Cal Mag Plus

DEVA
4.7
(849 ratings)
At a price per serving of 19 cents, this product offers excellent value by combining 1000mg of Calcium and 400mg of Magnesium in various well-absorbed forms (malate, citrate, chelate), alongside Vitamin D2, K, Zinc, Boron, and Copper. It provides a very strong mineral and bone health profile comparable to the original, but at a significantly lower cost.
85 Value

Magnesium & Calcium

NOW
4.8
(16706 ratings)
Priced at 24 cents per serving, this supplement delivers a robust combination of 400mg Calcium and 800mg Magnesium (a blend including citrate, glycinate, taurinate, and Aquamin TG for better absorption than just oxide), plus Vitamin D3 and Zinc. It offers a comprehensive mineral profile for bone and general health at a competitive price point, providing good value.
92 Value

Two-Per-Day Tablets

Life Extension
4.8
(56222 ratings)
At 33 cents per serving, this is a highly comprehensive multivitamin that offers exceptional value. It includes good doses and forms of B vitamins (including active B6, B12, and Folate), Vitamin D3 (50mcg), Magnesium (100mg), Zinc, and Boron, along with many other vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, making it a well-rounded and potent alternative for multiple health goals at a reasonable cost.
98 Performance

Cal/Mag/Vit D3 with Vitamin K2

NaturesPlus
4.6
(2209 ratings)
This alternative offers an exceptional bone health formula, providing high doses of Calcium (1200mg) and Magnesium (600mg) in highly bioavailable amino acid chelate forms, along with potent Vitamin D3 (25mcg) and K2 (100mcg Menaquinone-7). The superior mineral forms and higher K2 dosage make it more effective for bone density and cardiovascular health than the original.
90 Performance

Activated B-Complex High Bioavailability

Swanson
4.9
(1190 ratings)
This B-complex stands out by featuring activated forms of B vitamins (e.g., Riboflavin 5-Phosphate, Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate, Methylcobalamin, L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate). These forms are more readily utilized by the body without conversion, offering superior efficacy for energy production, brain health, and mood support compared to the standard forms in the original product.
99 Performance

Life Extension Mix Capsules

Life Extension
4.7
(492 ratings)
This product is an extremely comprehensive multivitamin that not only covers all the ingredients in 'Living Calcium Advanced' (Calcium, Magnesium, D3, K, Boron, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, all B vitamins) but often in more bioavailable forms and includes a vast array of additional beneficial compounds, making it a superior, albeit more expensive, overall health solution.