Product Image

Coral Calcium 1000 mg

21st Century
4.7
(1073 ratings)
Calcium 1000 mg
Magnesium 500 mg
Product Image
Score 68.0

A high-dose calcium and magnesium supplement with D3, but its effectiveness is hindered by the use of less bioavailable coral calcium and magnesium oxide forms, making it less cost-efficient for actual mineral absorption.

Quantity: 120 Capsule(s)Servings size: 4 Capsule(s) (30 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Bone Health
Joint Health
Heart Health
Fitness
Stress Relief

Score 68.0

A high-dose calcium and magnesium supplement with D3, but its effectiveness is hindered by the use of less bioavailable coral calcium and magnesium oxide forms, making it less cost-efficient for actual mineral absorption.

Analysis

21st Century's Coral Calcium 1000 mg aims to provide a substantial dose of calcium and magnesium for bone and general health, supplemented with Vitamin D3. The inclusion of Vitamin D3 is a significant advantage, as it is the most effective form for promoting calcium absorption and utilization in the body. The 1:1 calcium to magnesium ratio is well-balanced and often recommended for comprehensive mineral support. However, the primary sources for both minerals, coral calcium and magnesium oxide, are concerns. Coral calcium, while naturally sourced, generally has an absorption profile similar to calcium carbonate, which requires stomach acid for optimal uptake. Magnesium oxide, despite its high elemental magnesium content, is widely recognized for its poor bioavailability, meaning a large portion passes through the digestive system unabsorbed. This limits the true effectiveness of the high dosages claimed and makes the $0.47 per serving price less competitive when considering actual mineral delivery.

Pros
  • Contains Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), the most bioavailable form of Vitamin D, essential for calcium absorption.
  • Provides a 1:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium, which is a balanced and often recommended ratio.
  • Offers high elemental doses of both calcium (1000mg) and magnesium (1000mg).
Cons
  • Relies heavily on coral calcium and magnesium oxide, which are less bioavailable forms of these minerals, potentially limiting actual absorption.
  • The price of $0.47 per serving is relatively high considering the lower bioavailability of the primary mineral forms.
  • The listed magnesium from 'Coral Calcium' is ambiguous and potentially double-counted with the 'Magnesium Oxide' if the 500mg from coral calcium is not elemental magnesium.
Warnings
  • Individuals with low stomach acid may struggle to absorb the coral calcium effectively.
  • A significant portion of the magnesium oxide may not be absorbed, limiting its systemic benefits and potentially causing digestive upset in some individuals.
$15.99($0.53 per serving)
Amazon
$ 15.99
iHerb
$ 15.99
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) 10 mcg
Calcium 1000 mg
Magnesium (Magnesium Oxide, Coral Calcium) 500 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50
Categories
Calcium 60.0
Provides a high dose of calcium, but the coral calcium form is not optimally absorbed compared to citrate or malate.
Magnesium 50.0
Offers a high elemental dose, but the primary form is magnesium oxide, which is known for its poor bioavailability.
Goals
Bone Health 65.0
Includes a good dose of Calcium and Vitamin D3, which is beneficial for bone health. However, the use of coral calcium (similar to carbonate) for calcium and poorly absorbed magnesium oxide means that the actual bioavailability for bone building is not optimal.
Joint Health 60.0
Provides general mineral support for the skeletal system, which indirectly benefits joints, but the lower bioavailability of the mineral forms and lack of specific joint-supporting compounds limit its direct impact.
Heart Health 60.0
Calcium and magnesium are crucial for cardiovascular function, but the poor absorption of magnesium oxide reduces its effectiveness for supporting heart health compared to products with more bioavailable forms.
95 Value

Calcium Bone Maker Complex with MCH-Cal and VitaMK7

Doctor's Best
4.7
(6735 ratings)
Offering significantly superior forms of calcium and magnesium, plus vital Vitamin K2, at a price per serving (25) that is substantially lower than the original product (45), this alternative provides exceptional value due to its comprehensive and highly effective benefits.
75 Value

Magnesium & Calcium

NOW
4.8
(16706 ratings)
This alternative provides naturally sourced Aquamin TG calcium and magnesium at a very competitive price per serving (24). It offers good bioavailability and a broader spectrum of trace minerals, making it a much better quality and cost-effective choice than the 21st Century product.
88 Value

Cal/Mag/Vit D3 with Vitamin K2 Vanilla

NaturesPlus
4.4
(480 ratings)
Delivering excellent calcium gluconate and magnesium gluconate forms, alongside D3 and K2, for a slightly higher price (55) than the original, the enhanced absorption and inclusion of crucial cofactors make this a much better overall investment for comprehensive bone and heart health.
95 Performance

Calcium Bone Maker Complex with MCH-Cal and VitaMK7

Doctor's Best
4.7
(6735 ratings)
This product contains MCH-Cal (bovine bone extract), a superior and highly bioavailable calcium source, along with DiMagnesium Malate, a well-absorbed magnesium form, and VitaMK7 (Vitamin K2), which is crucial for directing calcium to bones and preventing arterial calcification, offering a far more effective and complete bone health solution.
90 Performance

Cal/Mag/Vit D3 with Vitamin K2

NaturesPlus
4.6
(2209 ratings)
Utilizing highly absorbable calcium and magnesium amino acid chelates, this alternative also includes essential Vitamin D3 and K2. This comprehensive formulation ensures much better absorption and utilization of minerals for both bone and overall systemic health compared to the 21st Century product.
85 Performance

Raw Calcium

Garden of Life Vitamin Code
4.6
(4135 ratings)
Sourced from Algae and Dead Sea Minerals, this product offers a whole-food approach, which provides naturally occurring cofactors and trace minerals often considered more bioavailable and synergistic than isolated mineral forms, leading to better overall absorption and efficacy.
50 Budget

Calcium Magnesium Zinc + D3

21st Century
4.7
(97627 ratings)
This alternative offers a significantly lower price per serving at 13 compared to 45, while still providing comparable amounts of calcium and magnesium and importantly includes additional Vitamin D3 and Zinc for more comprehensive support at a fraction of the cost.
75 Budget

Magnesium & Calcium

NOW
4.8
(16706 ratings)
With a price per serving of 24, this product is much more economical and utilizes Aquamin TG, a natural seaweed-derived mineral complex, which is generally better regarded for absorption and trace mineral content compared to the simple carbonate and oxide forms found in the original product.
60 Budget

Calcium Magnesium & Zinc

Sundown
4.7
(25011 ratings)
At 16 per serving, this option is substantially cheaper and features calcium gluconate, a more bioavailable form of calcium than carbonate. While it still uses magnesium oxide, the overall value is superior due to the better calcium form, added zinc, and significantly lower cost.
95 Value

Calcium Bone Maker Complex with MCH-Cal and VitaMK7

Doctor's Best
4.7
(6735 ratings)
Offering significantly superior forms of calcium and magnesium, plus vital Vitamin K2, at a price per serving (25) that is substantially lower than the original product (45), this alternative provides exceptional value due to its comprehensive and highly effective benefits.
75 Value

Magnesium & Calcium

NOW
4.8
(16706 ratings)
This alternative provides naturally sourced Aquamin TG calcium and magnesium at a very competitive price per serving (24). It offers good bioavailability and a broader spectrum of trace minerals, making it a much better quality and cost-effective choice than the 21st Century product.
88 Value

Cal/Mag/Vit D3 with Vitamin K2 Vanilla

NaturesPlus
4.4
(480 ratings)
Delivering excellent calcium gluconate and magnesium gluconate forms, alongside D3 and K2, for a slightly higher price (55) than the original, the enhanced absorption and inclusion of crucial cofactors make this a much better overall investment for comprehensive bone and heart health.
95 Performance

Calcium Bone Maker Complex with MCH-Cal and VitaMK7

Doctor's Best
4.7
(6735 ratings)
This product contains MCH-Cal (bovine bone extract), a superior and highly bioavailable calcium source, along with DiMagnesium Malate, a well-absorbed magnesium form, and VitaMK7 (Vitamin K2), which is crucial for directing calcium to bones and preventing arterial calcification, offering a far more effective and complete bone health solution.
90 Performance

Cal/Mag/Vit D3 with Vitamin K2

NaturesPlus
4.6
(2209 ratings)
Utilizing highly absorbable calcium and magnesium amino acid chelates, this alternative also includes essential Vitamin D3 and K2. This comprehensive formulation ensures much better absorption and utilization of minerals for both bone and overall systemic health compared to the 21st Century product.
85 Performance

Raw Calcium

Garden of Life Vitamin Code
4.6
(4135 ratings)
Sourced from Algae and Dead Sea Minerals, this product offers a whole-food approach, which provides naturally occurring cofactors and trace minerals often considered more bioavailable and synergistic than isolated mineral forms, leading to better overall absorption and efficacy.