CALM Magnesium vs Magnesium Glycinate: Natural Vitality MAXCALM Compared
Ben Law
Reviewed by Sarah Law, Dip CNM, Naturopathic Nutritionist
CALM magnesium vs magnesium glycinate: Natural Vitality's CALM powder, now sold as MAXCALM, is mainly magnesium citrate made from magnesium carbonate and citric acid, with some glycinate added, and gives 350 mg per 2 teaspoons for about 9 US cents per 100 mg. It is the cheapest way to get magnesium in this comparison, but citrate is the form more likely to loosen stools, and the label says it may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Magnesium glycinate is the gentler choice for a daily or evening dose. Love Life Supplements Magnesium Glycinate gives 303 mg of unbuffered glycinate per four capsules with no sugar and no other ingredient except the capsule, and Eurofins measured 302 mg in the current batch. Choose the powder for price and a warm drink ritual; choose glycinate for comfort and a measured dose.
Our figures come from our own label and lab report. Magnesium Glycinate supplies 2,750 mg of magnesium bisglycinate per four-capsule serving, of which 303 mg is elemental magnesium (81% of the UK NRV), with no magnesium oxide or citrate blended in and nothing else in the capsule except the vegetable shell. Batch L1026118 was tested by Eurofins on 6 July 2026 and measured 302 mg per four capsules, with lead at 0.10 mg/kg against an EU limit of 3.0. A 240-capsule tub is a 60-day supply at £37.95 on our UK store and $51.47 on our US store. It won an Award of Excellence at the Nourish Awards 2026, is rated 4.8 out of 5 across 260 verified ratings, and is covered by our 60-day money-back guarantee.
Magnesium Glycinate: 303 mg elemental magnesium per serving, unbuffered bisglycinate, no sugar, every batch third-party tested.
View product- MAXCALM Original Unflavored powder (formerly CALM): 350 mg per 2 teaspoons, magnesium citrate plus glycinate in an undisclosed ratio, no sugar. $35.79 for 16 oz, about 113 servings ($0.09 per 100 mg).
- MAXCALM Gummies (raspberry-lemon): 330 mg per four gummies from citrate and glycinate, 2 g added sugar per serving. $25.82 for 120 ($0.26 per 100 mg).
- MAXCALM / CALM Magnesium Glycinate capsules: 325 mg per three capsules, glycinate only, with silica and MCT. $26.65 for 120 or $35.89 for 180 ($0.18 to $0.21 per 100 mg).
- MAXCALM Magnesium Glycinate gummies: 100 mg per two gummies, 3 g added sugar. $18.32 for 50 ($0.73 per 100 mg).
- Love Life Supplements Magnesium Glycinate: 303 mg per four capsules, unbuffered glycinate, capsule shell only, Eurofins-verified batch. £37.95 or $51.47 for 240 (20.9p or $0.28 per 100 mg).
CALM magnesium vs magnesium glycinate: the comparison table
The real difference between CALM and a glycinate capsule is the form of magnesium and what comes with it, not the amount: every product below gives between 100 and 350 mg per serving. Every Natural Vitality figure was read from the supplement facts panel on its own product page on 17 October 2026. Prices are one-off US list prices on naturalvitality.com; price per 100 mg is our own calculation.
| Product | Magnesium form on the label | Magnesium per serving | Serving | Sugar per serving | Other ingredients | List price | Price per 100 mg magnesium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAXCALM Original Unflavored powder (formerly Natural Vitality CALM) | Ionic magnesium citrate (from citric acid and magnesium carbonate) and magnesium glycinate, proprietary formulation | 350 mg | About 2 teaspoons (4 g) in water | 0 g | None beyond the actives | $35.79 / 16 oz (about 113 servings) | $0.09 |
| MAXCALM Gummies (raspberry-lemon) | Ionic magnesium citrate, ionic magnesium glycinate | 330 mg (83 mg per gummy) | 4 gummies (adults) | 3 g total, 2 g added | Organic tapioca syrup, organic sugar, inulin, citric acid, vegetable glycerin, agar, flavours | $25.82 / 120 | $0.26 |
| MAXCALM Magnesium Glycinate capsules | Ionic magnesium glycinate | 325 mg | 3 capsules | 0 g | Vegan capsule, silica, MCT | $26.65 / 120; CALM-branded $35.89 / 180 | $0.21 (120); $0.18 (180) |
| MAXCALM Magnesium Glycinate Gummies (sour grape) | Ionic magnesium glycinate | 100 mg | 2 gummies | 3 g added | Sugar, glucose syrup, citric acid, tricalcium phosphate, sodium citrate, pectin, flavour, stevia | $18.32 / 50 | $0.73 |
| Love Life Supplements Magnesium Glycinate | Magnesium glycinate (bisglycinate), unbuffered | 303 mg (Eurofins measured 302 mg) | 4 capsules | 0 g | Vegetable capsule (hypromellose) only | £37.95 or $51.47 / 240 | 20.9p or $0.28 |
Sources: naturalvitality.com product pages and supplement facts panels, read 17 October 2026; our own label and Eurofins report AR-733-2026-00087324-03. Price per 100 mg = list price divided by (servings x magnesium mg per serving / 100). Natural Vitality offers 10% off on subscription; we offer 10% off a first subscription order and 15% from the second. Natural Vitality sells many other CALM and MAXCALM flavours and blends (with calcium, melatonin, L-theanine or saffron) that we did not compare. Prices change; check each site before you buy.
Is CALM magnesium citrate or glycinate?
CALM is mainly magnesium citrate. The Original Unflavored powder contains magnesium carbonate and citric acid, which react in water (the fizz) to form magnesium citrate, and the current MAXCALM label adds "magnesium glycinate in ionic form" as part of a proprietary formulation. The label does not say how much of the 350 mg comes from each form, so the safest reading is that most of it is citrate, because that is the chemistry the product is built on.
That matters for two reasons. Citrate is well absorbed: in a randomised study it was more bioavailable than an amino-acid chelate and magnesium oxide over 60 days [2], and magnesium oxide was absorbed at only about 4% in a study of US commercial preparations [1]. But citrate and carbonate also draw water into the bowel, which is why magnesium citrate is sold as a laxative at higher doses and why the NIH lists diarrhoea as the main effect of taking too much supplemental magnesium [6]. The MAXCALM powder label itself carries the line "May cause gastrointestinal discomfort", and its directions suggest starting low.
Glycinate is magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine. It was absorbed better than oxide in people with impaired intestinal absorption [3], and it is the form people usually pick when their stomach does not get on with citrate. Our magnesium glycinate vs citrate vs oxide guide covers the absorption research in more detail.
"Clients often come to me already using a fizzy magnesium drink at night. If it suits them, I leave it alone. If they mention looser stools, I suggest moving to a glycinate capsule with the evening meal and starting with half the serving for the first week."
Sarah Law, Naturopathic Nutritionist | Optimised Female
Is Natural Calm or magnesium glycinate better for sleep?
For an evening dose, glycinate is the more comfortable choice, and it is also the form used in the one recent randomised trial of a single magnesium form in people reporting poor sleep. That 2025 trial gave 250 mg of elemental magnesium as bisglycinate to 155 adults and found a small improvement on the Insomnia Severity Index against placebo after four weeks [4]; the effect size was small and the result is research, not a product claim. A 2021 meta-analysis in older adults found the evidence for oral magnesium and sleep low in quality overall [5]. We are not aware of any published trial of the CALM powder itself.
What can be said for any form is set out in the authorised health claims on the GB register [9]: magnesium contributes to normal psychological function, to the normal functioning of the nervous system, to normal muscle function and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Both CALM and glycinate capsules supply enough per serving to qualify. The warm-drink ritual is a reasonable reason to prefer the powder, and many people like it; the trade-off is the citrate. If you already take CALM and it suits you, there is no strong reason to switch. Our guide to which magnesium is best for sleep compares every common form, and when to take magnesium glycinate covers timing.
How much magnesium is in CALM, and how does that compare?
A full 2-teaspoon serving of MAXCALM powder gives 350 mg of magnesium, slightly more than a four-capsule serving of our Magnesium Glycinate (303 mg) or three MAXCALM glycinate capsules (325 mg). The gummies sit lower per piece: 83 mg per MAXCALM gummy and 50 mg per glycinate gummy. Because the powder is measured with a teaspoon, the real dose varies with how full the spoon is; Natural Vitality's own label says household measures are approximate and advises weighing for precision.
What does about 300 mg cost?
| Product | Amount for about 300 mg | Magnesium delivered | Cost of that amount | Sugar in that amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAXCALM Original powder | About 1.7 teaspoons (3.4 g) | 300 mg | $0.27 | 0 g |
| MAXCALM Gummies (83 mg each) | 3.6 gummies | 300 mg | $0.78 | About 1.8 g added |
| CALM Magnesium Glycinate, 180 capsules | 2.8 capsules | 300 mg | $0.55 | 0 g |
| MAXCALM Glycinate Gummies (50 mg each) | 6 gummies | 300 mg | $2.20 | 9 g added |
| Love Life Supplements Magnesium Glycinate (75.75 mg capsule) | 4 capsules | 303 mg | $0.86 (63p UK) | 0 g |
Our calculation from the panel figures and list prices above. Fractions are shown for comparison only; nobody takes 3.6 gummies. Sugar figures scale the label's per-serving added sugars.
Our capsules hold less per capsule (75.75 mg) than MAXCALM's glycinate capsules (about 108 mg) because bisglycinate is only about 14% magnesium by weight, and we do not add a denser form or flow agents to fit more in. The glycinate capsule MAXCALM sells adds silica and MCT; ours contains the glycinate and the vegetable shell only. Our glycinate vs bisglycinate guide shows how to check any label's elemental figure against its compound weight.
"With powders, I ask clients to level the spoon or weigh a serving once, because a heaped teaspoon can carry far more than the label figure. Capsules take the guesswork out, which helps when you are adding magnesium from a multivitamin or electrolyte drink as well."
Sarah Law, Naturopathic Nutritionist | Optimised Female
How much magnesium do you need? UK and US figures
Most adults need roughly 270 to 420 mg of magnesium a day from all sources, depending on sex and which country's figures you use, and supplements are usually taken at 100 to 350 mg to top up food.
| Reference | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UK labelling reference (NRV) | 375 mg a day | Retained Regulation 1169/2011, Annex XIII [8] |
| NHS daily need | 300 mg (men 19 to 64), 270 mg (women 19 to 64) | NHS [7] |
| NHS supplement guidance | 400 mg or less a day from supplements is unlikely to cause harm | NHS [7] |
| US RDA | 400 to 420 mg (men), 310 to 320 mg (women) | NIH Office of Dietary Supplements [6] |
| US upper limit (supplements only) | 350 mg a day for adults | NIH Office of Dietary Supplements [6] |
| US Daily Value (used for %DV on US labels) | 420 mg | NIH Office of Dietary Supplements [6] |
A full serving of MAXCALM powder (350 mg) sits exactly at the NIH supplemental upper limit, and adding a magnesium-containing multivitamin or electrolyte drink would take you over it. That upper limit exists mainly because larger supplemental doses loosen stools, which is the effect citrate is known for. A 303 mg serving of glycinate sits under both the NIH and NHS figures. The UK and US percentages also differ on the labels: the US %DV is based on 420 mg, the UK %NRV on 375 mg, which is why 303 mg reads as 81% NRV on our label and 350 mg reads as 83% DV on the MAXCALM label. Our guide to how much magnesium glycinate per day goes further.
Is CALM magnesium cheaper than glycinate?
Yes, by a wide margin. The MAXCALM powder costs about 9 US cents per 100 mg of magnesium, against 18 to 21 cents for MAXCALM's glycinate capsules, 28 cents for ours in the US (20.9p in the UK) and 73 cents for the glycinate gummies.
The powder is cheap because magnesium carbonate and citric acid are inexpensive raw materials that carry a lot of magnesium per gram. Glycinate is a heavier, costlier chelate: you need about 2,750 mg of bisglycinate to deliver 300 mg of magnesium. If price per milligram is your main test and citrate agrees with you, the powder is the value pick and we would not argue you out of it. Natural Vitality's own glycinate capsules are also cheaper per milligram than ours; what you get with ours is a single unbuffered form, nothing else in the capsule, and a batch lab result you can read. On our UK store, subscribing takes 10% off the first order and 15% off every order after, which brings a tub to £32.26 from the second delivery.
Which is third-party tested?
The MAXCALM powder page names Non-GMO, Vegan, Certified RAW and Certified CLEAN marks, and the gummy and capsule pages describe what the products are free from. We did not find a batch-specific lab result on the Natural Vitality pages we read. We publish ours; the full method is here.
| Test (batch L1026118, Eurofins, 6 July 2026) | Result | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Elemental magnesium per 4 capsules | 302 mg (measured twice) | 303 mg on the label |
| Lead | 0.10 mg/kg | EU limit 3.0 mg/kg |
| Cadmium | Less than 0.010 mg/kg | EU limit 1.0 mg/kg |
| Mercury | Less than 0.005 mg/kg | EU limit 0.10 mg/kg |
| Salmonella / E. coli | Not detected / less than 10 cfu/g | Pass |
Eurofins report AR-733-2026-00087324-03. Elemental magnesium by ICP-OES in duplicate; heavy metals by ICP-MS. The report and earlier batches' Certificates of Analysis are linked on the product page.
CALM or magnesium glycinate: which should you choose?
Choose by what matters most to you. Both give a useful dose of magnesium; they differ in form, format and price.
Pick by priority
Love Life Supplements Magnesium Glycinate: 303 mg per serving, unbuffered glycinate, Eurofins measured 302 mg. UK and US stores.
MAXCALM Original Unflavored powder: 350 mg per 2 teaspoons from about 9 cents per 100 mg, if citrate agrees with you.
MAXCALM or CALM Magnesium Glycinate capsules: 325 mg per three capsules, with silica and MCT as other ingredients.
MAXCALM Gummies: 330 mg per four gummies with 2 g added sugar, the most magnesium per serving of the gummies here.
Nourish Awards 2026, Award of Excellence: "a strong elemental dose and exceptional batch testing." Magnesium Glycinate, 60-day supply, 60-day money-back guarantee.
View productIf you want citrate and glycinate together, along with five other forms, our Magnesium Seven gives 329 mg from seven disclosed forms (47 mg each) per four capsules; the best magnesium supplement guide compares single forms with multi-form complexes, and our magnesium glycinate buyer's guide covers the label checks that apply to any glycinate brand.
How we compared these products
We read each Natural Vitality product's supplement facts panel, other ingredients, directions and price from naturalvitality.com on 17 October 2026. Natural Vitality is renaming much of its CALM range to MAXCALM, so both names appear on its store; we have used the name on each product page. We did not use retailer listings or review sites, and we have not lab-tested the Natural Vitality products, so we make no claim about their contents beyond their own labels. CALM and MAXCALM are sold mainly in the US and Canada, so all their prices here are US list prices. Love Life Supplements also sells a botanical blend called CALM; it is a different product and is not part of this comparison.
CALM magnesium vs glycinate: frequently asked questions
Is CALM magnesium citrate or glycinate?
Mostly citrate. The Original Unflavored MAXCALM powder (formerly Natural Vitality CALM) is made from magnesium carbonate and citric acid, which form magnesium citrate when mixed with water, and the current label adds magnesium glycinate in a proprietary formulation without giving the split. Natural Vitality also sells separate MAXCALM and CALM Magnesium Glycinate capsules, 325 mg per three capsules, which are glycinate only.
Is Natural Calm or magnesium glycinate better for sleep?
Glycinate is the form most often chosen for an evening dose because it is gentle on the stomach, and the one recent randomised trial of a single form for sleep used magnesium bisglycinate, 250 mg a day, and found a small improvement on a sleep questionnaire. The CALM powder is mainly citrate, which is well absorbed but is also the form more likely to loosen stools at higher doses. Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function and the normal functioning of the nervous system whichever form you take.
Why did Natural Calm change to MAXCALM?
Natural Vitality now sells its original powder as MAXCALM, and the product page describes it as formerly Natural Vitality Calm Original Unflavored. The label we read on 17 October 2026 lists 350 mg of magnesium per 2 teaspoons from a proprietary formulation of magnesium citrate (from citric acid and magnesium carbonate) and magnesium glycinate. Some CALM-branded products, such as the gummies and the 180-capsule glycinate, are still sold under the CALM name.
How much magnesium is in CALM gummies?
The MAXCALM raspberry-lemon gummies give 83 mg of magnesium per gummy, so the adult serving of four gummies gives 330 mg, with 3 g of total sugars including 2 g of added sugars. The MAXCALM Magnesium Glycinate gummies give 100 mg per two gummies with 3 g of added sugars. A four-capsule serving of Love Life Supplements Magnesium Glycinate gives 303 mg with no sugar.
Can you take CALM magnesium every day?
The label is written for daily use, and the powder label itself notes it may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. The NIH sets an upper limit of 350 mg a day for magnesium from supplements in adults, and the NHS says 400 mg or less a day from supplements is unlikely to cause harm. A full 2-teaspoon serving of the powder gives 350 mg, so it sits right at the NIH figure; many people start lower, as the label suggests.
Is CALM magnesium cheaper than magnesium glycinate capsules?
Yes. The 16 oz MAXCALM powder works out at about 9 US cents per 100 mg of magnesium, the cheapest product in this comparison. MAXCALM glycinate capsules cost about 18 to 21 cents per 100 mg, Love Life Supplements Magnesium Glycinate 28 cents in the US or 20.9p in the UK, and the glycinate gummies about 73 cents. The powder is cheap because magnesium carbonate and citric acid are inexpensive and light, not because it delivers more magnesium per serving.
About the Reviewer: Sarah Law, Dip CNM
Sarah Law is a Certified Naturopathic Nutritionist and Functional Practitioner specialising in hormonal health, gut health, and evidence-based nutrition. She holds a Diploma in Naturopathic Nutrition from the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM, London) and is a Certified Functional Health Coach. Sarah combines naturopathic principles with modern functional nutrition science to help her clients make informed health decisions.
About the Author: Ben Law
Ben Law is the founder of Love Life Supplements and host of the Optimised Health Show. He is a qualified Advanced Dietary Supplement Advisor and Primal Blueprint Certified Expert, and has spent 14 years building transparent, research-led formulations manufactured to GMP and BRC standards. He wrote this comparison from Natural Vitality's published labels and from our own label and batch data.
Natural Vitality, CALM and MAXCALM are trademarks of their respective owners and are not affiliated with Love Life Supplements. Learn more about Ben.
References
- Firoz M, Graber M. Bioavailability of US commercial magnesium preparations. Magnes Res. 2001;14(4):257-262. PubMed
- Walker AF, Marakis G, Christie S, Byng M. Mg citrate found more bioavailable than other Mg preparations in a randomised, double-blind study. Magnes Res. 2003;16(3):183-191. PubMed
- Schuette SA, Lashner BA, Janghorbani M. Bioavailability of magnesium diglycinate vs magnesium oxide in patients with ileal resection. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1994;18(5):430-435. PubMed
- Schuster J, Cycelskij I, Lopresti A, Hahn A. Magnesium bisglycinate supplementation in healthy adults reporting poor sleep: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Nat Sci Sleep. 2025;17:2027-2040. PubMed
- Mah J, Pitre T. Oral magnesium supplementation for insomnia in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21(1):125. PubMed
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium: fact sheet for health professionals. NIH ODS
- NHS. Vitamins and minerals: others (magnesium). NHS
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, Annex XIII (reference intakes), as retained in GB law. legislation.gov.uk
- Department of Health and Social Care. Great Britain nutrition and health claims (NHC) register. GOV.UK
- Natural Vitality. MAXCALM Powder Unflavored, 16 oz, product page and supplement facts (read 17 October 2026). naturalvitality.com
- Natural Vitality. MAXCALM Gummies Raspberry-Lemon, 120 gummies, and MAXCALM Magnesium Glycinate Gummies, 50 gummies (read 17 October 2026). naturalvitality.com
- Natural Vitality. MAXCALM Magnesium Glycinate 325 mg, 120 vegan capsules (read 17 October 2026). naturalvitality.com
- Love Life Supplements. Eurofins report AR-733-2026-00087324-03, Magnesium Glycinate batch L1026118, 6 July 2026 (linked on the product page). Product page