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Calcium

Thorne
4.8
(2101 ratings)
Calcium 250 mg
Product Image
Score 65.0

A high-quality, easily absorbed calcium malate supplement from a reputable brand, but provides a low dose and lacks essential Vitamin D3 for full bone health benefits.

Quantity: 120 Capsule(s)Servings size: 1 Capsule(s) (120 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Bone Health
Joint Health
Heart Health
Fitness

Score 65.0

A high-quality, easily absorbed calcium malate supplement from a reputable brand, but provides a low dose and lacks essential Vitamin D3 for full bone health benefits.

Analysis

Thorne's Calcium supplement utilizes DimaCal, a patented form of Calcium Malate, which is highly regarded in the nutritional community for its superior bioavailability and gentle nature on the digestive system. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals seeking efficient calcium absorption without the common gastrointestinal discomfort associated with other forms. Thorne is also known for its rigorous quality control. However, a notable limitation of this product is its relatively low elemental calcium dose of 250mg per serving, meaning multiple servings would likely be required to meet daily adult calcium needs. Crucially, the product also omits Vitamin D3, a fundamental nutrient that significantly enhances calcium absorption and its proper incorporation into bone tissue, thus requiring separate supplementation for optimal bone health benefits.

Pros
  • Uses highly bioavailable DimaCal (Calcium Malate).
  • From a highly reputable, professional-grade brand (Thorne).
  • Gentle on the stomach.
Cons
  • Low elemental calcium dose per serving.
  • Does not contain Vitamin D3, which is essential for calcium absorption.
  • Higher price point for the elemental calcium provided.
$23.40($0.19 per serving)
Pure Formulas
$ 26.00
Walmart
$ 26.00
iHerb
$ 23.40
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Calcium (DimaCal) 250 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50
Categories
Calcium 65.0
Provides calcium in a highly bioavailable malate form from a reputable brand, ensuring good absorption, although at a lower elemental dose and without Vitamin D3.
Goals
Bone Health 65.0
Offers calcium in the highly bioavailable DimaCal (Calcium Malate) form, which is excellent for absorption. However, the low dosage (250mg) and crucial absence of Vitamin D3 significantly limit its standalone efficacy for comprehensive bone mineralization.
Heart Health 60.0
Calcium in malate form is well-absorbed and generally safe for cardiac function. However, the missing D3/K2 for optimal calcium direction is a drawback for comprehensive long-term heart health.
Fitness 60.0
Provides absorbable calcium for muscle function and bone strength, beneficial for physical activity. But the lower dose and lack of Vitamin D3 mean it's not maximized for robust skeletal support during intense training.
90 Value

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Doctor's Best
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Provides a comprehensive bone-building complex with MCHA, Vitamin D3, and crucial Vitamin K2, along with Magnesium and other minerals. While the elemental calcium is lower (300mg), the synergistic blend and inclusion of K2 make it a superior value for overall bone health, despite a slightly higher price per serving than basic options.
80 Value

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80 Value

Chelated Cal-Mag

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85 Performance

Calcium + Vitamin D

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75 Budget

Calcium 1000 mg

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Offers a much higher calcium dose (1000mg Calcium Carbonate) with essential Vitamin D3 at a significantly lower price per serving. While the original uses a premium form, this offers a more substantial dose for a fraction of the cost.
70 Budget

600+D3

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4.8
(6905 ratings)
Provides 600mg Calcium Carbonate with essential Vitamin D3 at a much lower price. This is a very budget-friendly option that includes the vital D3, making it a good cheaper alternative for overall bone support, even if not the premium form.
80 Budget

Calcium Magnesium Zinc + D3

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4.7
(97627 ratings)
Offers a very low price per serving and provides 1000mg Calcium Carbonate plus Vitamin D3, Magnesium, and Zinc. This comprehensive blend offers superior nutritional support at a much lower cost, making it an excellent cheaper alternative despite the calcium carbonate form.
90 Value

Calcium Bone Maker Complex with MCH-Cal and VitaMK7

Doctor's Best
4.7
(6735 ratings)
Provides a comprehensive bone-building complex with MCHA, Vitamin D3, and crucial Vitamin K2, along with Magnesium and other minerals. While the elemental calcium is lower (300mg), the synergistic blend and inclusion of K2 make it a superior value for overall bone health, despite a slightly higher price per serving than basic options.
80 Value

600 + D3 plus Minerals

21st Century
4.8
(1551 ratings)
This product offers 600mg Calcium Carbonate with Vitamin D3, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Boron at an excellent price. It's a highly cost-effective option that provides a broader spectrum of bone-supporting nutrients than the original product.
80 Value

Chelated Cal-Mag

Carlson
4.7
(563 ratings)
Offers a highly absorbable chelated calcium form (200mg Calcium Bisglycinate) along with a good dose of Magnesium, which works synergistically with calcium. While the calcium dose is lower and it lacks D3, the excellent bioavailability and inclusion of magnesium offer good value for those prioritizing quality forms and magnesium.
95 Performance

Raw Calcium

Garden of Life Vitamin Code
4.6
(4135 ratings)
A vastly superior alternative featuring whole-food, algae-based calcium (1100mg) combined with crucial co-factors like Vitamin D3, Vitamin K, and Magnesium, plus various trace minerals. It offers a holistic and highly bioavailable approach to bone health beyond isolated calcium forms.
90 Performance

Bone Solid

Country Life
4.6
(725 ratings)
Offers a comprehensive bone complex with Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite (MCHA) calcium, which is a natural bone matrix, alongside robust doses of Vitamin D3, Vitamin K, Magnesium, and other minerals. This is far more advanced and effective than a single high-quality calcium form.
85 Performance

Calcium + Vitamin D

Swisse Ultiboost
4.6
(1270 ratings)
Provides a robust 1020mg of calcium from both citrate and carbonate forms, combined with 25mcg of Vitamin D3. This offers a higher dose and includes essential D3, making it a more comprehensive and effective calcium supplement than the original's lower dose, even with a premium form.